First Android-based TV unveiled
Apr 6, 2010 — by Eric Brown — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 1 viewsA Swedish firm called People of Lava has announced what appears to be the world's first Android-powered TV. The Scandinavia Window to the World TV runs Android 1.5 on a Cortex-A8 processor, and offers HD with 1920 x 1080 resolution, available in 42-, 47-, and 55-inch models, says the company.
People of Lava isn't alone in planning to bring Android to the TV — Google itself is planning a Google TV offering (see farther below) — but it may be the closest to having a final shipping product. According to a story in LinuxInsider, the TVs will reach stores in September.
Following a beta-test phase this summer, the set will first be released in a 42-inch version, followed by 47- and 55-inch models, LinuxInsider says. The 42-inch version will cost between 2,000 Euros ($2,693) and 2,500 Euros ($3,366), according to the story.
The Scandinavia Window to the World TV
Downloadable apps will initially include Facebook, Twitter, and email, says the company. In addition, it's said, video and audio players will be provided, as well as an image viewer.
Main apps menu for Scandinavia TV
Android browser on Scandinavia TV
Basic apps on the Scandinavia TV
Specifications listed for the Scandinavia Window to the World TV include:
- Processor — SOPC100 (Cortex-A8) @ 833MHz
- Display — 42-, 47-, and 55-inch backlight LED models; 1920 x 1080 pixels
- TV formats — PAL/SECAM; DVB-T with Common Interface
- Inputs:
- PC RGB
- CVBS
- S-Video
- Component
- 3 x HDMI
- 2 Scart (DP connector included)
- 1 x USB
- Outputs — Coaxial audio; earphone
- Video formats — MPEG4, H.264 HD (720p), 3GP
- Audio formats — MPEG-1 layers 1, 2, and 3 (MP3)
- Other features — Wireless keyboard with pointer/mouse; optional USB peripherals
- Operating voltage — 100-240V AC, 50-60Hz
- Operating system — Android 1.5 ("Cupcake") , upgradable
The Android competition: Google TV and MIPs-based set-tops
Assuming People of Lava keeps to schedule, the Scandinavia TV will almost certainly be the world's first ARM-based Android TV, if not the first of any type. It is also the first TV to be built in Sweden for several decades, says LinuxInsider. The story quotes Kurt Scherf, VP and principal analyst with Parks Associates, as saying that the TV's primary competition is likely to be from Yahoo's Connected TV, an IPTV web browsing and widget service available on IPTVs from vendors including Samsung, LG, VIZIO and Sony.
Last month, representatives of Google, Intel, and Sony were said to have told The New York Times that the companies were developing an Android- and Intel Atom-based IPTV and IP set-top box platform with the help of Logitech and Dish TV. Google TV will bring the web and social networking services to TV viewers, and will be offered with open source Android development tools this summer, said the story.
Meanwhile, Android-based STB designs are being developed by MIPS and Sigma Designs. This follows last year's port of Android to the MIPS processor platform, which dominates the STB market along with ARM-based processors.
Availability
More information on the Scandinavia Window to the World TV may be found here. The LinuxInsider story may be found here.
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.