Comments on: Motorola: No Google Android-Powered Set-top Box

By: Arjun

Arjun — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:48:09 +0000

Actually, there is a difference. Linux is only the kernel. A vanilla linux distribution is too generic to be used as a common platform for this target market and still ensure compatibility.

Android adds a ‘common communication and application layer’on top of a vanilla OS kernel which is critical to be able to develop an application targetted for communication devices . When you move from one ‘device’to another, the following major components change:

a) Form factor (UI scaling, HID, etc.)
b) Memory management
c) External processing power (GPUs etc)
d) Media handling
e) Graphics
f) Application lifecycle management
g) storage

The android SDK helps mask the developer from having to redesign the above and therefore provides significant value add over the OS.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:32:15 +0000

I thought Information Week is one of the most reliable sources of information. :)

By: Gadget Sleuth

Gadget Sleuth — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:53:01 +0000

Eh…no company seems too thrilled with Android in its current form, it appears.

By: gp

gp — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:17:19 +0000

well Android is based on linux ………………and it doesn’t make sense to make setup box based on linux when so many exiting software are available in standard linux repositories (unbuntu/debian has 28,000 software you install via single click) ………..actually i was thinking of making in kiosk my self was evaluating making a kiosk device myself ….andriod developers on irc thought that i would be better of standard linux ………..only thing existing open souce projects for embedded Linux lack marketing (mobilin, puppy linux , moko , Ubuntu remix, QT toolkit ) ………………………..bottom line is android is might be good certain categories of mobile devices (under powered arm based mobiles ) ……………but nettops , netbooks and there would no need for android on mobiles with Atom processors

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:19:00 +0000

I totally agree and I think there is a big opportunity here. By the way I can understand Motorola’s position: the company is looking for ways to focus on developing handsets that people want. I think that makes sense — in the short term.

By: seeking venture capital

seeking venture capital — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:08:45 +0000

Too bad Motorola will not be pioneering with Android in this way. I believe that the first company that does make the Android set top box will be proving themselves as a major electronics player (in the same fashion that HTC did with the G1). The door is still open for a company to come along and amaze us with such an innovation. On a long enough time line, the internet and the television will combine.

- Jason Nadaf

By: UpdatedGoogle’s Android Makes Set-top Box Debut

UpdatedGoogle’s Android Makes Set-top Box Debut — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:48:40 +0000

[...] Om Malik | Friday, April 17, 2009 | 6:47 AM PT | 9 comments Updated with corrections: Motorola denied that it is working on such a set-top box. Please read the following post for complete details. [...]