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1080p Android demo'd, set-top boxes prepare for a new master

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 28th 2009 at 4:05PM


It is done. MIPS Technologies has demonstrated its enhanced implementation of Android running in 1080p via extended libraries to support hardware graphics acceleration and decoding on Sigma Designs hardware, a portent of set-top boxes yet to come. Of course, without any video or pictures or video of the blessed event (ISB Corp's previous OMAP based effort is pictured above) it's hard to tell why Android coming to TV is such a great idea, if its cousin widgets are any indication, there's a chance of being high on pre-release hype but low on desirability once it reaches the market. Still, the Open Embedded Software Foundation pledges to continue on shoehorning Android into devices beyond the mobile handset, but if it's shut down by a band of torch wielding villagers demanding the monster be put down, don't say we didn't warn you.

[Via SlashGear & LinuxforDevices]

MIPS Technologies showing off Android with an HD facelift August 27

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 4th 2009 at 10:36AM


Sure, Google may see ChromeOS as its operating system of the future on PCs, but we just can't help ourselves every time Android makes a special appearance in an off-the-cellphone production, with its next performance scheduled for August 27 when MIPS Technologies will demo a version made for high definition displays. EE Times sees Sigma Designs as a hardware partner, mentioning it has already shown a Blu-ray player prototype running the OS. Of course, there's already options like the BLOBbox (in Europe) if an open software platform set-top is your desire -- and according to our poll results, it just might be -- but we'll see if an upgraded mobile OS has the chops to go in the living room later this month.

[Via Android Community]

Poll: Would you buy a TV running ChromeOS?

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 12th 2009 at 1:15PM


Forget widgets and ten-foot experiences. If someone's designing a lightweight, net-connected operating system, why not jam that into a flat panel and let us have our way with it? That's the idea we had after all the Google operating system news of the last week, although like an embedded Boxee solution or the long rumored AppleTV TV, we may be waiting a while whether its ChromeOS, Moblin or something else, although there's already least one Media Center Extender-packing display on the way from Toshiba. So, are we crazy or is this something that could sell? Let us know in the comments below.

Would you buy a HDTV running ChromeOS or something like it?

Blu-ray support destined for Mac OS X 10.5.6?

by Darren Murph posted Sep 22nd 2008 at 8:09AM

This isn't even a question of if -- it's simply when. The inevitable announcement that OS X will openly support Blu-ray is only a matter of months / years / eons away, but the latest whispers are placing BD compatibility in the very next version of OS X. Shortly after 10.5.5 hit the tubes, rumors began heating up that the next minor point release (10.5.6) would feature BD support. Granted, this is purely speculative at this point, but we'd say it makes sense. And if Apple doesn't have Blu-ray support planned for 10.5.6, um, can we get a few developers on that ASAP?

[Thanks, A1]

Microsoft unveils official Vista lineup, bye-bye Media Center

by Richard Lawler posted Feb 27th 2006 at 8:51AM

Windows VistaRemember when people thought that Windows XP Home, Professional and later Media Center would be to confusing for customers? Cuz Microsoft definitely doesn't. They officially announced the various versions of Vista this morning, and good luck keeping all six (yes 6) of them straight. Since we know that what you really want to do is record TV shows and stream high definition content to your Xbox 360, only two of them will really satisfy.

Vista Business and Vista Enterprise are targeted towards workplaces small and large, respectively. Vista Home Basic continues your usual Windows XP/98/95 family tree with some enhancements, while Vista Starter is meant for low cost computers in emerging markets. Vista Home Premium adds the Aero desktop feature, Tablet PC and Media Center capabilities and Vista Ultimate is the do-everything of the bunch, including all of the available features.

We're disappointed Microsoft didn't include Media Center capabilities across the product line. Besides the confusion factor, how are you supposed to tell your boss you need IT to install Vista Ultimate because you want to stream the HD Beat podcast while playing Project Gotham on one of the conference room projectors?

Microsoft WILL support Blu-ray? In Vista at least (maybe?)

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 19th 2006 at 10:12AM


Blu-ray logoMuch has been made of Microsoft's supposed plan to include native support for only HD-DVD in their next OS, either in order to force customers to install extra software on their own and/or to force OEM's to face licensing costs on their own. Despite that, Windows IT Pro says internal Microsoft documentation indicates a plan to add Blu-ray DVD support to beta versions of Windows Vista.

Microsoft still officially says it has no plans for Blu-ray support, leaving that to third party companies like Cyberlink. All of this comes just after Microsoft denied Blu-ray plans for the Xbox 360, so the question remains: Does Microsoft really hate Blu-ray, or do they really like it and are just playing hard to get? Be true to your feelings Bill.




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