XBMC has just announced that they are working on XBMC for Android, it’s not ready yet but they are starting beta testing for devices looking for the best possible stability, as well as finding a UI that works on smaller screens and not just a TV.
If you’re not familiar with XBMC, I’ll explain it in a few words. It’s an open-source, fully customizable media center which allows you to play your music, videos or internet apps, in this case you will be able to do all that from your Android device. For more detailed info, here’s XBMC’s about page.
Now they are releasing an Android app, which is not a small client, is not a remote, it’s the full application. So, all you have to do is run this in your Google TV or Nexus Q (on top of a custom ROM, of course) and you can stream pretty much everything from your phone or tablet into your TV, hassle free.
Here’s a small demo video that they are showing so you get the idea of what can it do:
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Just being picky here, but I was expecting a little more out of this article. Plus there are several thing that are just plain wrong. Im really thinking you are just not a fan of this immensely popular media center, because had I written this there would have been a great deal more hooping and hollering.
First off an x86 build for this is planned but getting the ARM build to the Play Store is the first priority. SO, there is no chance of this running on any Google TV platform currently on the market. Of course as soon as the Vizio box (ARM) finally lands, that will change.
Im assuming by ” stream pretty much everything from your phone or tablet into your TV, hassle free”, you mean to say that you can hook up your phone to the TV and play files. You need to be careful of the wording here, as at present there will be no way to “stream” anything from your phone or tablet to a device running this, at least not without adding some sort of SMB/HTTP/FTP/UPNP server application to your phone.
Also you glossed over one REALLY kick ass part of the Android XBMC news, the Pivos XIOS. The XIOS is the platform that XBMC was developed on for Android and their developers along with a good deal of XBMCs well known developers managed to get this little $114 Android box to run this build at full tilt. This is a bad ass little box, which is exactly the same size as the Apple TV only thinner and now has access to an ICS build WITH Play Store support. Why is this little box important, well mainly because it can be a great introduction to Android in the home, for a user that might have otherwise gone with Apple or built a HTPC. Also it kind of KILLS the need for Apple TV, which btw WAS the best media player on the market. Why does it kill the ATV? Because there is NO NEED to jailbreak this device to get all the goodies. If you think I am over reacting, look at what it will cost you now to buy an Apple TV Gen2 on the internet. The average price I am seeing is around $250. The reason is because the Gen3 model is not able to be Jailbroken. This is a perfect example of supply and demand. There is STILL a huge demand for a cheap XBMC box and the supply is dwindling. Enter the XIOS and Android XBMC.
This application is MASSIVE news for the Android community in so many ways its hard to imagine. The fact that the devs are going to be looking into all of the nuance that Android as an OS can provide out of the box should give you some clue as to their long run intentions.
Stormy don’t make me come back here and start writing articles again. ;ºP
Leonardo, don’t take anything I say here to heart. Im just ranting over a project that I have been in love with since its inception.
Ahhh. An XBMC Aficionado.
Well written Bill. this is an amazing release for Android, once it it is released.
I too have been a big fan of XBMC since it’s first inception for the original XBox. I had 3 XBox’s in my house, all Modded and running XBMC and it’s an amazing piece of software.
I haven’t used it for a number of years now, but I’m eager to investigate the Android version once released.
This certainly needs a deeper look and a full blown review.
Any takers??? Bill ?
I may just come out of my post slumber for this… Im going to see if I can get hold of a few of the devs over at XBMC and see what they have planned… Im sure it will be a little tight lipped, but I might be able to get some info out of them.
I have it installed on my Transformer Prime and it is a lovely app. Beautifully designed, very functional, fast and with lots of options. I mainly stream videos using Serviio (DLNA) on my Windows Vista home server
For anyone looking for info on the Pivos XIOS Series, check this out:
http://www.pivosgroup.com/#!vstc0=xios
Ordered it the moment I read the announcement on XBMCs blog. Funny thing was I was only an hour before looking to buy an AppleTv Gen2 for my friends birthday. Thats where I say the insane prices. I have a week to play around with it and decide whether or not this thing is too complicated for her. If there gerbils running laps in my head are correct, Im betting it wont be, by the time Im done with it. Which sucks, because that just means Ill have to order another one to give to her. ;ºP
You should also watch this. There is amazing technology out there!
If anyone has more info about the XBMC Beta. Especially download links. Please post them here:
http://forum.androidspin.com/forumdisplay.php/2299-XBMC-for-Android