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Gloolabs Readies A Java-Based WiFi Audio Device

Posted by timothy on from the field-crowding dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A new Java powered home entertainment audio device design promises to simplify sharing computer music files among computers and stereos in connected homes. Gloolabs's Gloo is Java middleware that puts an iPod-like interface on music files it "discovers" around the network. Gloo, which will be licensed to multiple device makers, is available now on one device that runs embedded Linux, and Gloolabs is currently bootstrapping a Gloo developer community. Gloolabs is currently taking orders for the $250 MacSense HomePod, the first Gloo-based device, which will ship in January 2004. A limited quantity of the $350 Developer Edition is available now."

4 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. useful by petwalrus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I can play my neighbours mp3 collection in the convenience of my living room!

  2. "Pod"? "Pod"?? by heironymouscoward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is the buzzword for 2004? We are living in an alien spaceship?

    A HomePod sounds distinctly like a scene from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".

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    Ceci n'est pas une signature
  3. Neat idea, but by ActionPlant · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm already thinking of security compromises. What's to stop an outside source from eventually being able to search this in an attempt to determine if you have illegal music? Also, error logs could pose a problem. I'm assuming they have that worked out, but using java to do this worries me. With an intelligent search, the ability to spider your own network looking for files...should it grab the *ahem* "wrong" file and surprise you with it when your parents are visiting...uh oh.

    Damon,

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    http://actionPlant.com
  4. Re:Open-ish source.... by Phil+John · · Score: 4, Informative

    Try doing your homework:

    The Java SDK source is indeed available and no, you don't have to pay for it! How else do you think the FreeBSD port of Java works? You can get it from http://wwws.sun.com/software/communitysource/j2se/ java2/download.html

    As for the speed of Java, why do people still push around this piece of FUD? With dynamic optimisations Java is starting to rival the Speed of compiled code, sometimes even beating it. No, I don't have any benchmarks to hand, since benchmarks are the Root of all Evil(tm)

    True, you cannot share the source code to the Java Platform. Welcome to the Real World(tm), not everything is free, some companies *gasp* actually want to keep some things proprietary, be thankful we have the source to play with/port to other systems at all.

    I see you have been modded as a troll since I started writing this, I'm still going to post it, just so others who think along the same lines as you can get the facts.

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    I am NaN