Myka BitTorrent Box: Is '4 to 6 weeks' enough?

Earlier this week, TorrentFreak said the upcoming Myka BitTorrent set-top box looks like a scam after the company purported to be on schedule to ship the box in four to six weeks. Betanews sought clarification.

The Myka set-top box promises to deliver a BitTorrent experience on TV via a Linux-based OS. With 80, 160, and 500 GB HDDs, the unit features HDMI, S-Video, SPDIF and composite outs, and is slated to cost between $300 and $450.

TorrentFreak took Myka to task for running a generally amateurish company which included some shady advertising deals, for failing to maintain contact with potential customers, and most of all, for not having a product to show.

Betanews contacted BitTorrent to find out a little more about its relationship with Myka; specifically, if the companies were even legitimately working together.

Simon Morris, Vice President of Product Management at BitTorrent, told us, "Myka has licensed BitTorrent technology, although until their device has been through our certification, they do not have rights to use our logo. We are working with them to correct their Web site and to evaluate a device. If and when it is certified, they will be able to use our logo legitimately."

Meanwhile, the Netgear Internet TV set top box the company debuted at CES which features BitTorrent streaming (but no logo) is expected to be available in the Summer.