Chumby, the Internet widget platform, pretty much telegraphed their move from dedicated info stations into connected television products nearly two years ago. And we’ve finally started seeing the fruits of their labor, such as that Best Buy TiVo television and the Pace cable set-top.
But, beyond licensing their platform, Chumby will also be rolling out their very own NeTV connected television device this fall. As Engadget points out, it’s pronounced “Any TV” as this little gadget performs the nifty Google TV-esque trick in sitting between your cable box and any television. By connecting in this manner, NeTV will overlay Internet content on top of your television programming and the primary feature is an adjustable (size, location, content) ticker of Internet and/or phone-based data. Additionally, folks with Android and iPhone devices can maximize NeTV’s capabilities by sharing photos or webpages from the small screen onto your presumable larger television. Like prior Chumby initiatives, NeTV is openly extensible and developers can run wild.
The question that remains… How much are you willing to pay for this sort of solution?
Of course, TiVo should be offering Internet ticker or overlay functionality, as an “input 1” device. But their software development has been sluggish and it’s not clear what their priorities are. Fortunately and ironically, some of the embedded cable/satellite boxes are experimenting with this sort of solution. Although I still prefer Moxi’s the old but ahead-of-its-time SuperTicker solution.
Having this in a separate device makes it available for all sources: TV, AppleTV/Roku, DVD/Blu-Ray, etc. I wish my DVDO had this.
I agree that TiVo software development is moribund.
I still wonder if we will be seeing Chumby built into TiVo’s software since the work was done for Best Buy and it would be a nice enhancement. Chumby and TiVo both use Flash too.
MZ, the way it was explained to me is that the Chumby relationship is with Best Buy. Not sure if TiVo would care to license them even if the integration work is minimal given that Insignia set. I’m doubtful and wouldn’t bank on it.
Greg, that’s true. But I don’t see many folks buying an Internet set-top… to connect to another Internet set-top (or other second input devices). Unless this thing runs $29.99. But I’m guessing it’ll land closer to the $80-$120 range.
“The question that remains… How much are you willing to pay for this sort of solution?”
One. Million. Dollars.
An HDMI mid-ware ticker would mean the difference between watching TV and world domination.
(If they implemented a color shift filter to gradually cycle the video carried thru Chumby thru the rainbow, I’d pay two million dollars, cuz that’d be trippy.)
So what’s better with this vs. the Revue?
Well I think its pretty awesome..I would pay 40 or 50 for a device that only put a ticker over my hdmi input whenever I get an sms or email. If this does that and more I would deffinitly buy it..and speaking of the revue, google tv does not have a way to display sms or email over live tv today does it?
Bill, prior to release and based only on what we think we know, I’d say the Revue does more and more attractively – even without the Honeycomb update. BUT as Ben says it’s not like Google TV has this exact sort of ticker feature which could be quite compelling and is obviously what got my attention (whereas flicking photos is so 2010). We’ll have to wait and see at what price and what sorts of partners (or indy developers) they land. I’d say there’s some interesting potential here.
According to the NeTV wiki link in the article, it has no ethernet connection and no 802.11n — only 802.11g. Typo or cost-cutting measure?
Cost cutting – it’s a tiny device and they’re pitching it as affordable.