Developers of the awesome XBMC media centre software have this week launched the first version of the software XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 for Android.
The new Android XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 includes most of the same features that users of XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 are enjoying on Linux, OS X, and Windows systems at the current time.
What is XBMC?
For those of you that have not come across the XBMC software before, it has been designed to provide a powerful media center capable of audio and video playback, displaying photographs, and streaming media from a number of Internet sources. XBMC, which stands for Xbox Media Center, was originally created for the first-generation Xbox gaming console but has since evolved into a versatile media player that can be installed on various platforms including Linux, OS X, Windows, and now Android.
XBMC supports a wide range of file formats and codecs, making it a highly versatile tool for media consumption. It also offers a customizable interface, allowing users to personalize their media center experience with different skins and add-ons. These add-ons can extend the functionality of XBMC, enabling features such as weather forecasts, news feeds, and even games.
New Features in XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 for Android
The launch of the new Android XBMC 12 Media Center now allows Android users to download “Frodo” beta 2 directly from the XBMC servers straight onto their Android devices. This is a significant development as it brings the full power of XBMC to the mobile platform, allowing users to enjoy their media libraries on the go.
One of the standout features of XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 is its support for hardware video decoding, which ensures smooth playback of high-definition video content. This is particularly important for Android devices, which may have limited processing power compared to desktop computers. The team has also worked on optimizing the user interface for touchscreens, making it easier to navigate the media center on a mobile device.
A list of supported devices is available here, with the team only currently officially supporting devices equipped with chips that feature NEON. NEON is a set of SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) extensions for ARM processors, which enhances the performance of multimedia applications. This means that not all Android devices will be able to run XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2, but the list of supported devices is expected to grow as development continues.
In addition to hardware video decoding, XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 for Android also includes support for a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and FLAC. This ensures that users can enjoy their music libraries in high quality, regardless of the format. The software also supports various streaming protocols, allowing users to stream content from online services such as YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify.
Another notable feature is the ability to create and manage playlists, making it easy to organize and enjoy your media collection. Users can also take advantage of XBMC’s powerful library management tools, which automatically download metadata and artwork for your media files, creating a visually appealing and informative media library.
The development team behind XBMC is known for its commitment to open-source software, and XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 is no exception. The source code is freely available, allowing developers to contribute to the project and create custom builds tailored to their needs. This has led to a vibrant community of users and developers who continually work to improve and expand the software’s capabilities.
The release of XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 for Android is an exciting development for media enthusiasts. It brings the powerful features of XBMC to the mobile platform, allowing users to enjoy their media libraries on the go. With support for a wide range of file formats, hardware video decoding, and a customizable interface, XBMC 12 Media Center Beta 2 is a versatile and powerful tool for media consumption.
Source: Liliputing
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