Mozilla's Firefox evolved as an open-sourced browser, that was highly customizable to the users' wants or needs. Custom add-ons, like Adblock Plus, Color Tabs, Flashget, etc were created, by users, and added into the repository for others to take advantage of as desired. Thunderbird was created, and evolved, as a stand-alone mail client, handling POP3 and IMAP email (In English, loosely "It's a program that can access and download your email from the server", Most recently, the Firefox operating system was introduced. At present, it's in phone form, compaeting with Android, Windows and iOS in the cellular markets.
Matchstick follows in this vein, with the Matchstick streaming player. Google's Chromecast is most often called out in comparison to the Matchstick, but they're not the only ones. The Matchstick will plug into the HDMI port of a television or monitor to allow streaming content.
Mozilla has kept this project open-source. In fact, early on in the Kickstarter campaign, their schematics and code were available, encouraging developers to get involved or even make their own. This is a contrast to Google, which has locked the code of Android (It's rather interesting how they locked their Linux derived system, but that's not important right now).
One might wonder why the company would give out their designs, schematics, etc. Because it allows for the greatest amount of innovation. The next big improvement - or innovation - may, actually, come from a non-employee.
Why should this project interest you?
This is a good question. Do you use streaming media content? This device will allow you to stream content (like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube, for instance) directly to your television or monitor. This will work through your home wireless network. Why opt for this vs, say, a Roku player (a device I've reviewed and endorsed in the past)? Price, size, lack of cords, preference... there are a host of reasons one might choose. Right off the bat, though, the target price-point for the Matchstick is $25 for one, after the release date. With the Kickstarter promo, you can get 1 for $18, 2 for $34, 5 for $80, or 10 for $160. This comes in under the $35 (approximate) starting price for Chromecast).
With the Kickstarter campaign, the target goal was achieved on day 1. In addition, two other goals were added. One of these is called "Ad Hoc mode", the other "Local Share" If the campaign gets to $500,000 by closing time, both will be incoroporated. In today's update, if $450,000 is reached, one of the two options will be included (based on a user survey after the close). In English, Ad Hoc loosely means "You can stream content to your TV without an internet connection", with Local Share being "You can share things on your network even if you don't have an internet connection".
Matchstick, like other systems, will have an app store, in which folks can acquire apps to customize their device to their own needs/tastes. Like other projects in the Mozilla line, this will continue as an open-sourced project.
Unfortunately, these units are anticipated for a February 2014 release, so are not a good option for Christmas or Hanukkah gifts (unless you give an "IOU").
I plan to do a proper review on this project when I have my Matchstick in-hand. Until that time why not have a look at it, and see if this might be right for you.
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