Ubuntu TV is On the Way!
So… I love my Roku… but, I may need to check this out when it comes out. Ubuntu TV… very cool!
Unity-based Ubuntu TV takes on Google TV
“Canonical used the Consumer Electronics Show to demonstrate an IPTV platform — Ubuntu TV — that will directly compete with Google TV. Based on Ubuntu Core, the upcoming Ubuntu 12.04 (“Precise Pangolins”), the Unity UI layer, and the Ubuntu One cloud service, the offering aims to meld cable/satellite TV service with Internet content, featuring unified search, channel guide, time shifting, optimized apps, and links to mobile devices.
Canonical developed its controversial Unity desktop interface for the Ubuntu Linux desktop distribution to, in large part, reflect an ongoing transition from desktop computing to mobile and embedded devices. Now it’s working hard to drum up some customers in non-PC platforms, starting with a web TV service called Ubuntu TV.
As reported by several sources — including ZDNet and IDG News — Canonical demonstrated Ubuntu TV at this week’s CES show in Las Vegas. The company also posted a website on Ubuntu TV that includes specs for device requirements.
According to ZDNet, Ubuntu TV sets could appear as early as this year, and will compete directly with the Android-based Google TV as well as Apple TV. Ubuntu TV integrates content search, time shifting, online box office, personal cloud, Internet content, apps, and disk media functionality across web- and broadcast realms, says Canonical. A single remote is said to interact with Internet and commercial TV content.
The platform is based on Canonical’s emerging Ubuntu Core foundation for embedded devices, as well as the upcoming Ubuntu 12.04 (“Precise Pangolin”) due in April. Pangolin is one of Ubuntu’s rare long time support (LTS) releases, and will be supported through 2017, giving device manufacturers the stable platform they seek. In addition, Ubuntu TV makes use of the Ubuntu One personal cloud service.”