Google clearly started a trend when it launched Chromecast. The budget streaming stick is getting more competitors by the day. The latest is named Matchstick, and runs Firefox OS.
This means it’s open source, so anyone can make apps for it. The makers have even put the reference designs and hardware schematics up for download, if you’re interested in how it works.
In terms of abilities, it’s just like Chromecast. (On the Kickstarter page, the makers make no effort to hide the similarities, writing: “We wanted to make Matchstick hardware specs an upgrade over the components you might find in the leading products on the market today that might rhyme with ‘bone blast’.”)
In other words,
It won’t only run homegrown apps, though. Netflix, HBO Go, and Pandora will come ready out of the box, and we’re sure lots more third-party efforts will follow.
So why choose it over Chromecast? The open-source nature of it will be a boon to tech heads, but the price should also be a major draw – it will cost just $25 (£15) at retail, which is half of Chromecast’s £30 price tag. Get in early on Kickstarter and it can be yours for just $18 (£11).
It only launched a couple of days ago, and has already raised over $200,000, which is over double its funding target. Developer units are expected in November, and the first batch of retail units will go out in February.
Read more: Google Chromecast review
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
