Samsung is stepping into the growing set-top box space with HomeSync Media Hub. But unlike other streaming solutions, Samsung’s box focuses on providing ample storage for downloaded content and offers multiple, separate profiles to differentiate family members’ preferences and content.
HomeSync Media Hub has a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and runs Android Jelly Bean — curiously, it’s not a Google TV device, merely an Android device — so you have access to the Google Play store. With 1 TB of on-board storage, there’s plenty of space to store all your favorite movies and TV shows. If you’ve got a Samsung Galaxy device, you can stream 1080p content to the box, which is more handsome than many of the “puck”-shaped streaming devices on the market right now.
Samsung’s streamer supports profiles for up to eight different people, allowing you to store your content privately or share it with the rest of the family.
Set-top boxes provide consumers a way to improve their media viewing experience (and potentially cut the cord from cable dependency) without dropping a huge wad of cash. Popular options like Boxee and Roku give you access to a plethora of online content and channels no matter their current setup, while Apple TV caters to those who’ve subscribed to Apple’s device ecosystem.
Google TV is slowly seeing an uptick in device offerings and capabilities, but hasn’t caught on as much as the aforementioned options. The latest version of Google TV is built on top of Android. Samsung does offer Google TV-enabled smart TVs.
But the fact that Samsung’s device is not technically running Google TV means two things: Samsung is trying for a vertically integrated approach to the living room a la iOS and the Apple TV, and, with its exclusive Galaxy device compatibility, the problem of Android’s fragmentation is solidifying itself beyond the myriad smartphones and tablets out there to the living room as well.
HomeSync, announced this week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will be available in April.
Mar 26 Fév 2013, 18:21