Comcast Unveils New Set-Top Box Operating System

WASHINGTON, D.C./PHILADELPHIA: Increased personalization, web content and social-media integration all feature prominently in X2, Comcast’s enhanced cloud-enabled operating system for set-top boxes that will roll out to the company’s pay-TV customers later this year.

The new system, unveiled at The Cable Show in Washington D.C., is an upgrade of the X1 cloud-based platform introduced last year for Comcast’s Infinity customers. It is intended to integrate live and on-demand TV, web content, home control and apps in a single user interface.

“The X1 Platform is an incredible example of what’s possible with cloud innovation,” said Brian L. Roberts, the chairman and CEO at Comcast Corporation. “With the introduction of web-based content to the platform today, and the promise of a faster and more integrated experience with X2, we’re adding more functionality to each screen in a customer’s home, and transforming our video product into a complete entertainment operating system.”

Enhancements showcased by Roberts yesterday include a personalized home screen, available on TV and on mobile devices, delivering such information as recently recorded DVR shows, preferred apps, voicemails from Xfinity Voice or even home thermostat and security status from Xfinity Home. The new platform will also offer more recommendations so customers can discover new TV shows and movies, based on previous viewing habits. There will also be a carousel sorting listings by category (sports, kids, etc.). Viewer ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and Zeebox will be integrated into X2, which will also feature web content.