Opera gets serious about TV widget content, releases CDK
Norwegian software company Opera first waded into the TV app game when they released an SDK for widgets back in 2008. Now they've taken another serious step by releasing the Opera Devices Content Development Kit to help HTML, CSS, XML, and Javascript savvy developers create content using technologies they're already versed in. For those who don't live and breathe in The Matrix, Opera's hope is to lower the barriers of entry for bringing online content into the living room, since the software eliminates the need for physical devices to test on. It also supports W3C, HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), OIPF, and CEA-2014 specifications -- meaning it's capable of running on a wide range of hardware from variety of manufacturers. For more details read the PR after the break or watch Opera's video from 2009 on the subject, which unfortunately isn't on par with its previous potato boiling jabs at Google. Still, learning about "Oprah's" new widgets makes it definitely worth a watch.
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Content is King
Opera launches CDK for Connected TVs and set-top boxes
Oslo, Norway and Amsterdam, Netherlands - September 9, 2010
Opera Software has just lowered the threshold for TV content development by unveiling the Opera Devices Content Development Kit (CDK) at the IBC Show in Amsterdam today. The Opera Devices CDK is now available for download from http://dev.opera.com/sdk/.
An important asset to Opera customers and partners, the Opera Devices CDK will now allow any web developer to create content for TVs and other Internet-powered devices, without requiring access to the physical device. Developing HTML5 and HbbTV-enabled content will now be a breeze on the PC platform, rather than the device itself, and debugging will become easy with Opera Dragonfly - the world's most powerful debugger - which comes as part of the package.
The Opera Devices CDK can be installed on any standard Linux PC and will empower OEMs, content developers, content service providers and Opera partners to create and debug portals, applications, widgets and webpages for TVs and other Opera-powered devices.
OEMs and operators can also use the Opera Devices CDK as a "reference platform", so, once they develop for one device, they can ensure it works on any device that runs Opera's widely-used browsers. Opera Devices CDK supports the latest W3C, HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), OIPF, and CEA-2014 specifications unlocking a new dimension for content developers who can write content for all standards and deploy on Opera TVs anywhere.
"Until now, developers did not have a simple way to create applications for TV," said Frode Hernes, VP Products, TV and Connected Devices, Opera Software. "With Opera Devices CDK, they can now bring reliable, fine-tuned applications to market much more quickly. Opera has always been on the forefront of innovation. The Opera Devices CDK comes at an optimal time when demand is high and will only grow for TV Apps and other Internet-connected devices."
Opera Devices CDK provides the following content:
Supports all features of the Opera Devices SDK
HTML/CSS/JavaScript/DOM
SVG, Canvas
W3C Widgets
HTML5
