Looking to ride a wave of demand as European broadcasters move to all-digital distribution by the end of 2012, Korean set-top box manufacturer Intek Digital is teaming up with Opera Software to launch an Android-based STB for connected TVs.
Opera Software will provide licenses for the Opera Devices Software Development Tool Kit (SDK) on its Android-based Hybrid set-top box (STB) including HbbTV. The hybrid STB provides viewers with both broadcast television and Internet content on their TVs, and is set to ship in the first half of 2012.
As in the United States, European broadcasters are in the process of moving away from analog broadcasting. That's expected to create a demand for digital terrestrial STBs that is forecast to top 20.5 million units in 2012, IMS Research said.
"2012 will be the year of connected TVs..." said Shine Kim, CEO of INTEK Digital. "Opera Devices SDK for Android is easy to deploy. It enables INTEK Digital to both meet the time demands of the market as well as bring quality hybrid STBs with superb Web-rendering performance to the market."
The Opera Devices SDK combines web applications, widgets and full Internet browsing with emerging standards. In addition, it uses Opera's most recent core, Opera Presto, which powers the latest Opera desktop browser.
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