The Sterling Heights Public Library is stocking up on cutting-edge technology for movie lovers.
Library card holders can now checkout GoChip Beams, handheld streaming devices that can deliver five high-quality videos to up to eight users, all without an internet connection.
“This is exciting new technology, and I’m proud that our library is one of the first in the country to offer this collection”, says Library Director Tammy Turgeon. “The GoChips are a fantastic way for an entire household to enjoy several movies at home or on vacation,” Turgeon adds.
Each GoChip Beam contains a small Wi-Fi router, power cord, and solid state storage preloaded with five feature-length movies, all enclosed in a 3.5″ x 1″ stick. Users merely need to download a free app, power on the GoChip Beam, and connect to the device.
The five movies on each GoChip Beam are bundled with a theme. One example is a collection of romance titles including The Vow, Love & Friendship, About Last Night, The Wedding Ringer, and Think Like a Man. Other movie categories include action, comedy, crime, family, kids, sci-fi, and more.
Library-goers can find the new GoChips near the DVD collection. Moreover, like DVDs and Blu-rays, GoChip Beams will be available for one-week checkouts, but can be renewed up to three times if no one else places a hold. The library will launch with sixteen GoChips and will add at least three new devices a month for the foreseeable future.
The GoChip Beam is being distributed to libraries by Library Ideas, LLC of Virginia. In a joint statement, Brian Downing, CEO of Library Ideas, LLC, and John Strisower, CEO of GoChip, Inc., said, “Libraries have always been on the forefront of providing media solutions on a large scale, and we look forward to seeing the results of three years of hard work together. We are confident that the GoChip Beam will be a staple of library collections for years to come.”
The GoChip Beam is expected to become a ubiquitous device, which will also debut in General Motors’ showrooms this year.
For more information about GoChip Beams or the Sterling Heights Public Library, please call 586-446-2640 or visit www.shpl.net.