A device designer and its Linux software/middleware partner are bootstrapping a third-party software ecosystem around a reference design for convergent media devices. Video Without Boundaries (VWB) and Linux partner CAC Media started the MediaReady Convergence Software Suite (MCSS) Developer Program to “increase customer… satisfaction,” they say.

MCSS is a combined hardware/software reference design launched in September, 2003, by CAC and its investor and hardware partner, VWB. VWB expects to launch the first MCSS based device under the Lafayette Brand. The MCSS platform is also available as a “turn-key solution” for other consumer electronics manufacturers.

The MCSS Developer Program avails qualifying developers of an SDK (software development kit) and libraries enabling them to develop and port applications to the MCSS platform. Areas of interest include:

• Communication (video conferencing, instant messaging, VoIP)
• Single and multi-player games
• Digital media management
• MP3 and digital camera connectivity/management
• Video editing and other multimedia tools
• Interactive TV applications

The Program will publish third-party applications that pass a certification process in an online “upgrade center” for MCSS based devices, and will pay developers a commission based on the number of times their application is downloaded.

CAC Media President Ken Nelson said, “We are exited to offer Linux developers and idealists the opportunity to join CAC in growing the MCSS platform and application set to ensure Linux is the dominant OS within the connected device area for years to come.”

The VWB/CAC initiative is not the first to attempt to woo open source developers to a consumer electronics platform. Interact-TV offers a developer version of its Telly devices, while Roku and DreamBox also publish APIs and SDKs, and invite third-party development.

Additional details about the MCSS program are available online.

 
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