Comments on: UpdatedGoogle's Android Makes Set-top Box Debut

By: Ashu Joshi

Ashu Joshi — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:25:54 +0000

Motorola has issued a release indicating that they are not planning to release Android on the au Boxes. Here is the link: http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175460

Kind of confirms what we were hearing from Japan…

By: jez

jez — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:33:19 +0000

Interesting! i look forward to seeing this. I can already imagine the possibilities…

By: John Matthews

John Matthews — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:58:08 +0000

How about an Android implementation of Boxee, that could cause some ripples among network and cable TV operators in the US if Android inside settop boxes started to appear in the US market.

By: seeking venture capital

seeking venture capital — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:06:16 +0000

Thanks for the great news Om! FINALLY, the internet and television are combining. I am sure you will be showing us plenty more Android powered devices in the near future that not only bring us internet to nearly every facet of our lives, but also makes the information in our lives seamless as well.

- Jason Nadaf

By: Ashu Joshi

Ashu Joshi — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:49:44 +0000

The story also appeared on CNET on April 13th. From what I understand in talking to contacts in Japan, the dates on commercial availability are not clear. Here is the link of the CNET article: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10218607-94.html

Android has to go through significant optimization for a Set Top Box (STB) – for example – the video decoding happens on the SoC (System on Chip). Wonder if Android has been customized as much by Motorola?

By: Internet on HDTV

Internet on HDTV — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:23:18 +0000

How about just running it on your PC? Then connect it to your TV? No expensive box required!

PCTVCables.com

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:36:57 +0000

Thanks Avi for that additional information. It is good to get that little detail in the story. I have updated to reflect that.

By: Avi Telyas

Avi Telyas — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:30:32 +0000

Some clarifications are needed:
The au Box is already available in the Japanese Market and has reached more than 100,000 subscribers; running Linux based on KreaTV platform (acquired by Motorola).
It seems Motorola consider migrating to Android.

Avi

By: Arjun

Arjun — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:01:57 +0000

This is just the beginning. The proverbial iPhone lead over Android will continue to stay only for phone users (due to its vastly superior usability engineering) but Android is going to power ahead in market penetration in the ‘one application many devices market’. We’ve been using Android for a whole bunch of stuff and it makes the original thought of ‘quad-play’ (you know, you are watching TV on your cell phone, walk into the house, a ‘handover’ is done and the game continues on HD in your den) etc. much simpler. You build one application, engineer it for different form-factors and add the option of using external GPUs when available and bingo, a plug-in system.