HP lifts curtain on Linux media hub

HP in 2005 is going to focus on media hubs, devices that bring content from a PC to the living room, HP CEO Carly Fiorina told delegates at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

During her keynote the HP chief gave the first public demonstration of the firm?s newly developed Linux HDTV Media Hub, which is due to begin shipping this autumn.

"Consumers will be able to enjoy multiple kinds of content which previously required multiple technologies and devices, through a simple to use platform that is managed remotely from the couch," Fiorina said about the appliance that is due to be launched this autumn.

In addition the company is planning to launch a version of its existing Digital Entertainment Center that will support high definition television sets (HDTV). The higher resolution of the screen enables users to read email and surf the web, Fiorina said.

The Entertainment Center, running Windows XP Media Center Edition, is in essence a PC that sits in the living room. But Fiorina conceded that: "A lot of people out there really don't want PC functionality in their living room."

These consumers, she said, could benefit from the relative ease of use of the Linux-based HDTV Media Hub.

The HP executive finally disclosed that after launching an Apple licensed iPod earlier this year, it will "in the coming month" introduce a HP branded Apple iPod Photo.

Fiorina's keynote featured an on stage appearance by Gwen Stefani, the singer of the rock band No Doubt, to announce a version of HP's 607 model digital camera that is personalised by the singer. Singer Vaness Carlton gave a mini concert to promote her iPod tattoo, a pre-designed sticker that HP invented users stick on their iPods.