With more than 440 million devices certified by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) installed in homes by the end of last year, new software certification efforts mean the stage is set for a significant uptake in content streaming within and around the connected home, according to ABI Research.
The DNLA’s standard enables devices to stream content between each other, so, say, a connected refrigerator could send a shopping list to an iPad – in theory. And indeed, DNLA-compatible hardware is broad-ranging: Everything from digital cameras to game consoles to TVs, more than 9,000 consumer electronics products have received the stamp of approval.
What’s been missing is the software piece that enables streaming to be done intuitively and without hiccup. Thus, at CES, the DLNA announced it would begin software certification as well, for the enablement of streaming of content between DLNA devices over the home network, including applications such as Media Server and Media Player. And that, ABI says, will spark uptake in doing just that.
“ABI Research believes the DLNA’s software certification program is a significant step that will provide a powerful stimulus to the adoption and connection of devices in consumers’ home networks," said practice director Jason Blackwell. By vouching for the interoperability of devices using certified software, the DLNA will foster confidence among consumers that if they purchase certified hardware and software, their systems will work as advertised."
The DLNA specification is platform-agnostic, though Windows 7, by embedding it in the operating system, has created more opportunity for Microsoft users. However the inclusion of third-party vendors will open up the market and create wider choice for consumers.
Blackwell concludes, “Until now, manufacturers and developers tended to ignore the home network and focused on creating dedicated devices and their own ecosystems. At CES, it seemed that vendors in all of these spaces (software, hardware, and content) now realize the importance of home networks and are searching for ways to make them work."
