Roku To Go Open Source 140
ruphus13 writes "Time-shifting via Tivo changed the way we consume television programming. Now, Open Source enters the fray. Roku,
the streaming-media set-top box has decided to Open Source its software. Roku had received praise for its streaming solution, and was in the press recently for its deal with Netflix, allowing users to stream Netflix movies directly to the box.
From the article, 'Roku will release an open source version of its software by the end of the year. The CEO says he's looking for deals with content providers to stream their products through his device, and hopes to sell a bunch of them as a result.'"
Re:If only all companies had this vision (Score:3, Interesting)
Watching your shows on a computer monitor may work in the dorms, but for relaxing on the couch with the wife, it doesn't cut it.
Open Source? (Score:5, Interesting)
Jennifer Guevin over at cnet has a decent article [cnet.com] that talks about where Roku is really going with this. Keep an eye on Roku's press releases [roku.com] for the real deal if and when it's announced.
Re:If only all companies had this vision (Score:1, Interesting)
It will only matter if I can select content channels on the same image. What would be a much better move is if Roku could have one standard interface and a standard metadata syndication schema and the content provider just uses that and provides some Xml that Roku than reads and says new content provider found that you may like.
Roku big sticking point currently is you have to Queue up movies at Netflix and provides zero discovery experience from the set top box. So the experience is very premeditated and there is no way to just browse like I can on Cable on Demand or a site like Hulu.
Really Roku is going to go obsolete. Once someone figures out how to do Internet browsing on TV in a mainstream way. Why do we have to go to this AOL business model where I have to enslave myself to one content provider over another. There is only so many services I willing to pay 9.99 to 20 dollars a month to :)
Roku problem is they are answering the wrong question.
Re:If only all companies had this vision (Score:3, Interesting)
No need to get all holier-than-thou on this.
My kids (ages 4 and 1), also get the full-parenting experience: playing with blocks, reading/crayoning books, learning english...
However, BabyFirstTV/DiscoveryKids/NickJR are absolute lifesavers when we need them to stay in their room for an hour or so.
BabyFirstTV also has THE BEST sleep-inducing programming after 9pm
Re:Open Source? (Score:2, Interesting)
That's my read, too. TFA doesn't say anything about even releasing source code, let alone using an OSI-approved open source license. All it promises is an SDK. You know, like the iPhone has.
In fact, one of the articles linked to from an article linked to by TFA suggests that Roku is considering charging for software upgrades that provide HD playback capabilities (http://techpulse360.com/2008/09/24/streaming-media-west-roku-to-open-netflix-player-with-sdk-shifting-to-new-name-soon/). I know that's a "Gratis" issue, not necessarily a "Libre" issue, but still, this doesn't look at all like Open Source.