Boxee launched Cloudee as a private beta this summer. The service is currently completely free, without any upload and storage limits, but Boxee has said that it will eventually start charging for some premium functionality. From the announcement blog post:

Since Cloudee is still in beta, new and existing users will continue to enjoy free unlimited storage. When we introduce premium accounts, all beta users will still have access to watch and share all their videos, but may be asked to upgrade to Cloudee Premium to keep uploading additional videos.

Boxee CEO Avner Ronen told me earlier this year that Cloudee will have some form of Boxee Box integration before the service’s beta test is over, possibly through a separate tab on the Boxee home screen.

There have also been speculations that Boxee could use some of Cloudee’s infrastructure to build a kind of cloud DVR for its Live TV feature, but the company has been mum on any details on that front. However, Boxee has been increasingly reaching out to Boxee Box users to test upcoming products, and possible candidates applying to be part of the company’s early access program are being asked which broadcast TV stations they’re receiving in their area — so we shouldn’t be too surprised if Boxee’s next big announcement is going to have some live TV component.

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The Journal didn’t share many details about planned features for the cloud DVR offering, which makes it hard to judge what exactly Apple may have in mind. The paper said that including such a feature would force Apple to negotiate further rights with broadcasters in addition to its ongoing negotiations with cable operators.

However, there are two competing models for a cloud-based content offering that Apple could take cues from:

• Cablevision offers its subscribers a network DVR, which offers TiVo-like capabilities in the cloud. The service allows customers time-shifting, which includes jumping back to the beginning of a show. However, there are limits: Cablevision’s DVR Plus offering comes with four tuners, so subscribers aren’t able to “start any show at any time,” as the Wall Street Journal suggested. On the upside, Cablevision’s DVR offering has been deemed legal by the Supreme Court and doesn’t require additional licenses.
• Time Warner Cable on the other hand theoretically offers viewers the ability to jump back to the start of any program they tune in with its Start Over feature, but the offering is limited to channels that the operator has agreements with. These vary by market. Customers in Los Angeles, for example, can “start over” on programs from ABC, CBS and NBC, but not FOX. And the need for negotiations with individual affiliates meant that it took Time Warner Cable years to roll out the service in all of its markets.

If Apple were to launch a cloud DVR, it would have to pick its poison: Either launch a true cloud-based DVR service that would have limited access to programming, or begin long and painful negotiations with local affiliates. Either way, it would likely end up with something that may sound revolutionary on paper, but would in practice look an awful lot like existing pay TV services.

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