"Why would you want Akimbo if you're already a devotee of cable or satellite --- and perhaps also use a digital video recorder such as TiVo? Well, for starters, you're unlikely to find many of these shows anyplace else. And all Akimbo programming is available on demand. Nothing is scheduled; you request a title when you want it. Akimbo's slogan: "Your wish is on-demand."

On-demand doesn't necessarily mean instant gratification. If a show you want is available from Akimbo, you must download it at a speed that hinges on your broadband connection. Sometimes it took me about as long as the length of the actual program to grab it. Sometimes longer. A 23-minute show on the Food Network, Urban Picnic, arrived in a little over an hour. Too bad you can't watch the program as it's downloading.

To find out what programs are available, you use a remote control to browse through Akimbo's on-screen guide, organized by channel or category. You can search by name or topic (golf, cooking, etc.). You can visit the MyAkimbo.com Web site to see what's on and arrange downloads. Akimbo also sends out a newsletter with recommendations."