2012-04-05, 15:39
Hi all. Here's my GSOC proposal.
Short description: This proposal is for working on integrating a web browser component within XBMC.
Summary: A lot of media content is made available through websites such as youtube.com and ustream.tv. There are also services such as Amazon video and Vudu which have their own websites where users can view their media content. Adding a web browser component to XBMC would make for a great feature in order to have access to all this media content via XBMC.
How will I achieve this: QtWebkit will be used to provide the web browser. QtWebkit (through the Qt framework) provides a widget that can be rendered inside a 3D texture. This will be needed in order to embed the web browser within XBMC.
Benefits: Any user who has ever wanted to view content on websites such as youtube.com or Amazon video through XBMC will benefit. Aside from media content, users will be able to access any website they wish through the use of the XBMC Media Center.
Goals: The first goal would be to have a basic browser component running within XBMC. This basic browser will have minimal functionality (i.e. functionality for going to the home page, stop, refresh, back, forward, the address bar, and a go functionality). Only one page would be viewable at a time and it will be more suited for use with a keyboard and mouse. The second goal will be usability refinements for the web browser. In particular, the usability refinements for the second goal is, navigation of a web page with a minimal input device (i.e. "tabbing" up, down, left, and right through web elements with a standard TV remote). The second goal will also include the ability to have multiple pages loaded and navigable (a sort of "tabbed" browser for XBMC).
What does it touch in XBMC: The Qt framework needs to be initiated via the main thread so there needs to be some code in main() or in the CApplication class which maintains an instance of Qt's QApplication class. Also, some way to process events for the Qt framework needs to be done, so there will be some code in CApplication:
rocess() that does just that. It will need things such as translations, icons, configuration settings. Also, layout information needs to be added to the confluence skin package.
Requirements: C++, advanced knowledge of the XBMC codebase, and general knowledge in working with Qt widgets is required.
How long have you been writing software for work/fun?
For over 5 years now, for both work and fun.
Short description: This proposal is for working on integrating a web browser component within XBMC.
Summary: A lot of media content is made available through websites such as youtube.com and ustream.tv. There are also services such as Amazon video and Vudu which have their own websites where users can view their media content. Adding a web browser component to XBMC would make for a great feature in order to have access to all this media content via XBMC.
How will I achieve this: QtWebkit will be used to provide the web browser. QtWebkit (through the Qt framework) provides a widget that can be rendered inside a 3D texture. This will be needed in order to embed the web browser within XBMC.
Benefits: Any user who has ever wanted to view content on websites such as youtube.com or Amazon video through XBMC will benefit. Aside from media content, users will be able to access any website they wish through the use of the XBMC Media Center.
Goals: The first goal would be to have a basic browser component running within XBMC. This basic browser will have minimal functionality (i.e. functionality for going to the home page, stop, refresh, back, forward, the address bar, and a go functionality). Only one page would be viewable at a time and it will be more suited for use with a keyboard and mouse. The second goal will be usability refinements for the web browser. In particular, the usability refinements for the second goal is, navigation of a web page with a minimal input device (i.e. "tabbing" up, down, left, and right through web elements with a standard TV remote). The second goal will also include the ability to have multiple pages loaded and navigable (a sort of "tabbed" browser for XBMC).
What does it touch in XBMC: The Qt framework needs to be initiated via the main thread so there needs to be some code in main() or in the CApplication class which maintains an instance of Qt's QApplication class. Also, some way to process events for the Qt framework needs to be done, so there will be some code in CApplication:
rocess() that does just that. It will need things such as translations, icons, configuration settings. Also, layout information needs to be added to the confluence skin package.Requirements: C++, advanced knowledge of the XBMC codebase, and general knowledge in working with Qt widgets is required.
How long have you been writing software for work/fun?
For over 5 years now, for both work and fun.
