As Android dominates the mobile market more and more technologies are being considered. Set-top boxes are the next target for Android. The latest incarnation of Android will run on Intel’s Atom chipset with a new version of Google’s Chrome browser.
There have been many diverse applications for the home using set-top boxes. Microsoft’s original XBox was hacked to be a home media device using an open source application called XBox Media Center. Boxee is another application available for a selection of hardware platforms making it easy to stream TV, Movies and other content directly form the Internet. Boxee are also working with hardware manufacturers like D-Link to bring a custom device configured and ready to plug into your TV.
So which hardware will be next? A dedicated device by the likes of Sony has been rumored by AndroidGuys. Sony and Intel are apparently teaming up to create a set-top box to bring rich web content and I’m guessing an whole slew of other services to your living room. We’ve already heard of the Android TV by Scandanavian company “People of Lava”, so I guess other manufacturers will follow the trend.
The main problem with most past attempts at home media devices has been usability. For it to be successful, the system’s have to be easy to use. For the average Joe to use it, you have to be able to take it home, plug it in and it works with very little configuration. A full Plug-and-Play device.
I’m no stranger to set-top boxes. In out house we have either a PS3, XBox 360 or original XBox with XBMC to bring all forms of media to every TV in the house. Even the latest TV’s from Samsung offer widgets to bring Internet content and movies directly to your TV.
This is a very exciting time for Android and I hope to see more devices running the Android OS and making our lives rich with content.
Source: PCWorld, AndroidGuys
