Earlier this week the guys in #ubuntu-tv (on Freenode) generated an Etherpad with their thoughts and then arranged a meeting to discuss priorities. Alan Bell produced some designs: http://people.ubuntu.com/~alanbell/unitytelly/
The mailing list has seen some decent traffic as well, with people talking mostly about what the future of the Connected TV might be and features they’d like to see.
Essential
- 10′ interface- Watching Media (DVR, Live, Network(TV Guide is part of DVR/other services))- Control via remote controlHigh priority- Plugin support
- Cloud and/or server storage (for home grown media)
- Playback of physical media (USB cd/dvd/bluray drive)
- Installable image
- Easy configuration of new devices (eg. installing same plugins, mounting same network shares)
- Ubuntu One Accounts
- Push media to/from other Ubuntu devices / Media syncing capabilities (Pause on one device, resume from same spot on another device)
- Collaborate with other Ubuntu devices (context: https://lists.launchpad.net/ubuntu-phone/msg00006.html )
- Control from portable devices (phones/tablets/web interface/PC) (collaboration with Ubuntu Phone/Tablet?)
Medium priority
- Sharing media with friends (social network connectivity)
- Purchasing media through online stores (Ubuntu one/Amazon/Netflix)
Not a bad list at all. Thanks to tgm4883, MrChrisDruif, imnichol, callumsaunders1, dmj726 and others.
Separately, reports from a team that may have a crack at implementing the TV interface:
… tracked down some bugs in QML itself, fixed them, and are submitting patches upstream. Next time you read that Qt Mobility now supports hardware accelerated video playback, or how the “ShaderEffectItem” now respects the “clip” property, or simply that the OpenGL video painter renders where it’s supposed to; you know who to thank. As an added bonus this will benefit Unity-2D. Awesome work.