Sept. 2014 end AEBL update

Well, a lot has been going on in the AEBL world.

It's hard to even remember what has been happening, let alone where to begin.

There have been a significant number of enhancement tests for AEBL, so let's start with mentioning that we've moved our primary project page and we have now made direct access available to the AEBL image for those who would like to try it out or actually use it in a real world application.

AEBL: the Internet of Things and Emergency Broadcast Service

Funny how, sometimes it is easy to have a thought, yet not so easy to share that same thought.

I think about how the world can be a big, scary place.  At its core, life is about survival of the species, by way of survival of collective individuals.  I think that's where hoarding, secrets, and intellectual property stems from.

But it is by stepping up and out of our comfort zones, which allows for truly valuable, disruptive innovation.

As a very good friend and mentor verily (yes, I used the word verily) impressed upon me, dream big, plan long term, and state your intentions for all to know.  This is how powerful and lasting transformations happen.

With that, I'm here to talk about the Internet of Things, Emergency Broadcast Service(s), and how these relate to AEBL and its future, among other new happenings at the fort.

AEBL ready to go! Get yours, today!

AEBL is now officially released!

First, the disclaimer:  The AEBL device and software is considered beta for legal reasons and therefore carries no implicit nor implied guarantees, whatsoever, regardless of legal jurisdiction, anywhere and everywhere on earth, or otherwise within the universe, with or without a support contract.

OK, here's the thing...  We are now completely satisfied and confident that the AEBL appliance works, as intended, for this first, official public release.  With the most recent updates, and almost 1 year of bench and field testing, the system is very stable, as intended.

If you don't want to read the rest of this article, and just want one, scroll to the bottom of this article to find out how to acquire the device.

As described in the original post on this blog, AEBL is a multi media device for proper copyright personal media consumption and presentation.  (We are not responsible for the content you use with the device.)  For as little as CAD$100 or less (or more; prices vary depending on geographical location), it is probably one of the most capable, least expensive media devices in its category.

The device is fully network aware and autonomous.  It self configures upon first boot (this requires a functioning internet connection) and once completed, begins initial playback and presents itself to a network that it is connected to.  Once the device has performed it's first setup and content added to it, it is completely autonomous.  Configuration can be done over a network, so long as an appropriate computer or technology device (with a current or capable OS) is connected to it, even without a network router or switch!

AEBL is a "technology platform".  As such, it has many current uses and will provide even more functionality and use, as it is further developed. or is discovered by users.

Currently, as intended, AEBL works very well as an audio and video media playback device, with or without an internet connection.  What this means is, with audio and/or video content placed on the device (let's repeat: we do not condone use of media of which a user does not have proper copyright), and a proper audio and/or video connection (ie. standard 3.5mm stereo audio jack and/or video component/RCA or HDMI cable), whether in a car, home or lake or RV A/V system, even at the office or in a Kiosk or temporary installation, the device plays back the content from the system.

Current, known uses for the device might be:  listening to your music in your car, watching movies or listening to music on your home A/V system, watching movies in your vehicle (complying with local laws) with a proper a/v connection, as an audio or video kiosk, and as a digital sign system and even as a personal media player, with a portable (proper) power source, and headphones or portable speakers.  We have connected the device to a personal FM transmitter and listened to playback from the device on remote, detached radio systems.  The device can also be used as a digital picture frame.  Anywhere you can imagine using a digital A/V system.

The device uses < 5V < 1200mA and therefore can be powered by any USB equivalent, compliant and capable power source, including the USB connection on a TV set, a portable, USB battery pack, or even, potentially, an appropriate rated solar power source.

How is AEBL different than the media playback devices you already have?  Well, at the very core, the device plays back on legacy A/V, with the use of RCA cables.  Second, while the file format is specific, any content that is file format compliant (mp3 / mp4) can be played back by the system.  Also, the device is made specifically to be hands free.  It serves a very specific purpose, to play back content.  As such, if it has content and is powered on and connected to an audio or video receiver, it WILL work, with no further interaction.  And finally, we are continuing to work on developing further capabilities to the device, some (such as wifi capable) are already available and others enhancements are close to being released.  As we update the capabilities, the device will be updated accordingly, so long as it is connected to a functional internet connection, from time to time.  The device also has channel capabilities, which means that if you are subscribed to a channel and connect AEBL to a functional internet connection, you will receive your audio or video channel content, as it is updated.

Examples of commercial channels are the wssn.ca and the IHDN.ca network:



So that's it.  While we talk about future development, everything we've discussed in this article speaks to capabilities already available and working on the AEBL system.

If you would like to find out how to get with...  [ahem] acquire your own AEBL device, please contact us by email @ aeblmobile@gmail.com or on our twitter account @aeblm2 .

What is AEBL mobile media?

To understand what AEBL is, is to understand the history that has lead up to AEBL.  This is more technical than many might want and a more concise, executive summary will be published soon.

About 10 years ago, before AEBL was conceptualized, the developer of AEBL was approached by a company (IHDN) to create a computer / software driven electronic device, to replace a hardware device they had developed, which kept failing due to overloaded equipment demand.

The device, now named the XPO, is the brainchild of a former CTV cameraman and producer.  It connects between a television network service provider and a television.  It senses a commercial insert from the network provider and inserts local, in house content.

This technology has been challenged in the US by network television providers and it was ruled that said providers' challenges against the technologies capability had no merit, and the case was thrown out of court.

A special request was made to the CRTC in Canada, and they deemed it a valid and legal technology as it is functionally similar to a television remote, in that an individual or business / venue has the right to change a channel if they do not like the content being presented.

Due to the nature of the development agreement of the XPO, the underlying software technologies were developed as a framework for the XPO system, with only the detection hardware being proprietary to IHDN, although at the time, it was unclear that the framework technology could be used for any other purpose.

As development of the XPO system progressed, it was found that the technology also worked very well as an ad rotator / digital sign technology.  Also, due to the nature of the technology framework, it was discovered that it was much more robust and capable than what the IHDN technology and company required, or desired.

And then came the next stage of development.  In order to reduce both the physical footprint as well as the cost of a unit, new technologies were investigated.  And the Raspberry Pi was determined to be an excellent replacement for the hardware.

During this phase of development, was when the idea of AEBL was formed.  The Raspberry Pi is a very capable device which ultimately functions as a computer.  Because IHDN is only interested in video presentation at unique venue and organizational groups, the AEBL designer decided that the world might just be interested in a device that could not only provide audio and video content at a fixed location, but that users might want that same content wherever they go, or even share that content with others, without always having to transfer the content to a device that can display it or relying on cloud technologies which might not be secure or private enough.

AEBL builds on technologies that already exists, including audio and video content distribution methods (such as sound cloud and youtube) and includes social media content and communications, and packages it in a unique, convenient, and extremely mobile format.

An AEBL user can plug their AEBL into their TV or stereo system at home, work, the cottage, or even a hotel room without a locked down A/V system.  It can even be connected to your car stereo or connected to the A/V system in your car.  When connected to the internet, it can play internet only content, or it can download your content that you want to have, and play it when no internet is available.

That is just a start of what the AEBL is already capable of.  As development continues, new and more convenient features will be added as it can be.