KDE Developers first test release of a specialized user environment , which can be used as a platform for set-top boxes and smart TVs. First test boot image (1.9 GB) for Raspberry Pi 4 boards. Assembly is based on and packages from the project .
The user interface, specially optimized for large screens and control without a keyboard, is complemented by the use of a voice control system and a virtual voice assistant built on the basis of the projectβs developments . In particular, a voice interface is used for voice control and related , which you can run on your server. An engine can be used for speech recognition or .
In addition to voice, the operation of the environment can also be controlled using remote controls, including a standard TV remote control. Remote control support is implemented using the library , allowing the use of the bus to control devices connected via HDMI. The mode of simulating a mouse manipulator via a remote control and the use of microphones built into remote controls to transmit voice commands are supported. In addition to TV remotes, you can use USB/Bluetooth remotes, such as WeChip / , and also work when connecting a regular keyboard, mouse and microphone.
The platform supports both the launch of specially prepared Mycroft multimedia applications and traditional KDE desktop programs compiled for the Bigscreen environment. To access installed programs and download additional programs, a new specialized interface has been proposed, designed for remote control by voice or remote control. The project launched its own application catalog (not available in the Russian Federation, as it is hosted on an IP address, Roskomnadzor).
A web browser is used to navigate the global network based on the WebKit engine.
Main features of the platform:
- Easy to expand. Mycroft's smart assistant manipulates βskillsβ that allow you to associate specific tasks with voice commands. For example, the βweatherβ skill receives weather data and allows you to inform the user about it, and the βcookingβ skill allows you to receive information about culinary recipes and help the user in preparing dishes. The Mycroft project already provides a collection of typical skills, for the development of which a Qt-based graphical framework and libraries can be used . Any developer can prepare his skill for the platform, Python and QML.
- The code is free and available in source text. Manufacturers can create smart devices based on Plasma Bigscreen, distribute derivative works and make changes at their discretion, without being limited by the boundaries of proprietary TV environments.
- Transforming the traditional Plasma workspace into a form that can be controlled with a regular remote control allows KDE UI designers to experiment with new approaches to application interface layout and user interaction methods that make it easier to control from the couch.
- Voice control. Comfortable voice control results in the danger of violating confidentiality and leaking recordings of background conversations not related to voice commands to external servers. To solve this problem, Bigscreen uses Mycroft's open voice assistant, which is available for audit and deployment at its facilities. The proposed test release connects to the Mycroft home server, which by default uses Google STT, which transmits anonymized voice data to Google. If desired, the user can change the backend and, among other things, use local services based on Mozilla Deepspeech or even disable the voice command recognition function.
- The project is created and maintained by the established KDE developer community.
Source: opennet.ru