Home Caavo uses computer vision to unify control of streaming boxes
News

Caavo uses computer vision to unify control of streaming boxes

Wayne Manion
Disclosure
Disclosure
In our content, we occasionally include affiliate links. Should you click on these links, we may earn a commission, though this incurs no additional cost to you. Your use of this website signifies your acceptance of our terms and conditions as well as our privacy policy.

Ask anyone with a set-top box or smart TV about the worst part of the user experience, and chances are the divided nature of the content will be high on the list. Content purchased through iTunes will only work on Apple's set-top box, Amazon Video doesn't play on Apple TV, and finding the right piece of content across dozens of other streamers can take the relaxation out of the entertainment experience.

The Caavo box appears to be a unique attempt to bring all of its owner's streaming movies and TV shows into one interface. According to The Verge, the Caavo works by applying machine vision to video from other streaming devices attached to the eight HDMI inputs on the back of the machine. The box controls the attached streaming devices and "watches" the streaming box's output to verify that the input was received and processed. Caavo says its device is capable of performing content searches across multiple services and multiple streaming devices using the company's proprietary computer-vision tech.

Caavo's approach is wildly different from other "unifying" systems that function using IR repeaters to control multiple devices. Most famously, Microsoft's Xbox One has an IR emitter that's supposed to control a cable box attached to the user's TV set. Logitech's Harmony remotes rely on a similar concept to automate input switching on home theater systems. This approach can be fragile, because the memorized macros fail when interfaces change.

The box is expected to cost around $400 when Caavo launches the device in June. The company's spokesmen said the device's initial rollout may be to as few as 5000 users.  The machine vision technology behind the idea is interesting, but one wonders if some of its competitors might find a way to render the Caavo useless. Only time will tell. I'll be sticking with my HTPC.

Latest News

Apple Might Join Hands with Google or OpenAI for Their AI Tech
News

Apple Is Reportedly Planning to Join Hands with Google or OpenAI to License Their AI Tools

YouTube Launches New Tool To Help Label AI-generated Content
News

YouTube Launches a New Tool to Help Creators Label AI-Generated Content

YouTube released a tool that will make creators clearly label the parts of their content that are generated by AI. The initiative was first launched in November in an attempt...

Ripple Dumps 240 Million XRP Tokens Amid 17% Price Decline
Crypto News

Ripple Dumps 240 Million XRP Tokens Amid 17% Price Decline

Popular crypto payment platform Ripple has released 240 million XRP tokens in its latest escrow unlock for March. This comes at a time when XRP’s price has declined significantly. Data from...

Crypto Expert Draws A Links Between Shiba Inu And Ethereum
Crypto News

Crypto Expert Draws Link Between Shiba Inu And Ethereum

The Lucrative FTX Bankruptcy Trade and Ongoing Legal Battle
Crypto News

The Lucrative FTX Bankruptcy Trade and Ongoing Legal Battle

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Set to Enter “Danger Zone” – Time to Back-Off or Bag More Coins?
Crypto News

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Set to Enter “Danger Zone” – Time to Back-Off or Bag More Coins?

SNB to Kick Off Rate Cut Cycle Sooner Than Expected
News

SNB to Kick-Start Rate Cut Cycle Sooner Than Expected