The Beta version will feature a number of additions and improvements, including a new user interface, better navigation, TV and movie search, shortcuts, a user controlled queue and more. It will incorporate a number of user requests and feedback received over the past year while Boxee has been in Alpha mode.
The official launch event will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in New York City, where the Beta will be demoed along with some new partner applications (check out some of our favorite apps so far). It will also kick off a 4-week early access program for the Beta version before it's officially launched to the public during the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show on January 7.
CEO Avner Ronen says you won't have to attend the actual launch event to get on the early access list, so stay tuned for more information about how to get into the 4-week preview. He also says the Beta launch will see the Windows version step up to be 100% on par with the Mac OS X version, including Netflix and ABC support.