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A few days ago an article was circulating around the web about a device called the auBox – a Set-Top Box manufactured by Motorola to launch with KDDI in Japan. The rumor that it was running Android was immediately gobbled up by a ton of media sources – including us – but we have now received word from Motorola that this rumor is false.
In fact, the platform used for these set top boxes is Motorola’s KreaTV platform which is based on Linux. Oh, Linux? So making an Android version would be a natural next step, right? Motorola says no… an Android-based version is not planned.
Here is the statement we received:
Motorola Clarifies KDDI “au BOX” based on KreaTV platform for set-top devices, not Android.
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) would like to clarify that contrary to some recent reports, the set tops supplied to KDDI by Motorola to deliver the operator’s “au BOX” service are not based on Android. The platform used is in fact Motorola’s KreaTV platform for set tops which is based on Linux and there are no plans to produce an Android-based version.
The “au BOX” service allows mobile customers to transfer content between their home entertainment systems and their mobile devices. Motorola’s KreaTV™ open software platform for set-top devices is designed to enable operator customers to easily add new functionality and services at any time, allowing the system to grow according to their business needs and customer demands. KreaTV is compatible with a wide range of OS middleware and Digital Rights Management (DRM), and supports multiple different video formats ranging from MPEG-2 SD to H.264 HD, DVR, and hybrid.
The powerful multimedia set top also offers video encoding capabilities to allow users to upload video from their personal video recorders and then transfer it to a mobile handset. It can also play DVDs when linked to an external monitor. The set top can additionally serve as a portal for internet web browsing, enabling users to access a wide range services and user generated content in addition to the option of purchasing music and video content from online stores.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $30.1 billion in 2008. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.
While we’re always excited to hear about plans for new Android devices, phones or otherwise, we also enjoy getting the news right and setting the record straight when we don’t. So remember what we told you about the Android Set Top Box in Japan produced by Motorola? Good… we didn’t think so!
Keep in mind that there is a great linux package called mythTV that is ideal for this type of appliance. It would not surprise me to find that this is a linux distro running myth and would in fact be better quality than trying to port such a complex package to android. That is not to say that maybe motorola shouldn’t consider a myth client for andtroid.