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

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]

[mugatu Posted Aug 28th 2009 7:07PM]

Teaching average viewers how to use their new open source television OS is going to make the digital transition look like a cake walk. The documentation and support should be about the same though.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 29th 2009 7:53AM]

Hear hear ! There are way too many abused apostrophes in the world. That was the only reason I came to this page. If you can't spell "demoed" I'm not sure the review is that exciting..

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 28th 2009 7:08PM]

Oh, come on. The word is "demoed". Or demonstrated. You don't just panic and toss in an apostrophe because a word ends in a vowel.

[kingu Posted Aug 28th 2009 9:13PM]

I, for one, welcome our open source equals.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 29th 2009 2:16AM]

whereas i welcome our robot overlord.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 29th 2009 11:08AM]

I, for one, just want to watch TV on my TV, and use my computer for computing. I really have no desire to use my TV for the internet, I've yet to come across a site that is worth viewing on a 47" at 1080p. (sorry engadget) If it's widgets, COME ON!! If I need weather, last time I checked, there's a cannel for that. (yeah, I said it) Hell, where I live there's a channel that has local weather & traffic every 10 minutes (I understand that's not everywhere). If I'm watching a game, the broadcasters conveniently post scores from other games going on so I don't foresee a need for a sports widget. Stocks, doesn't CSPAN & those type channels have stock updates running across the bottom of the screen? Really, I can go on.

I pay more than enough for cable, TV's are pricy enough, all I see here is a reason to make TV's outrageously overpriced because they are connected to the damn internet that too many people spend too much time on anyway.