Hillcrest Labs Launches Kylo Web Browser for Consumers Who Connect their Computers to their TV's

Hillcrest Labs, a company best known for its Freespace in-air pointing and motion control technology and its Loop pointer (see, for example, the article published on itvt.com, November 11th), on Monday launched a free Web browser targeted at consumers who connect their PC's or Macs to the TV. Dubbed Kylo and competing in the emerging OTT market against Boxee, among others, the browser is designed to provide a "10-foot"/"lean-back" surfing/viewing experience. It is positioned by Hillcrest (in what is presumably an attempt to differentiate it from Boxee's flagship offering) as "not a 'walled garden' of aggregated video content, but rather a true Web browser that lets users go where they want across the Internet," and appears to be conceived of by the company as a loss-leader that will drive interest in its Loop pointer (though it will work with other navigational devices). "No matter how hard they try, no single set-top-box manufacturer, specialized TV widget developer, or content aggregator can match the volume of online viewing choices available on a computer," Hillcrest founder and CEO, Dan Simpkins, said in a prepared statement. "For this reason, many consumers are simply using their new HDTV's as an alternative display for their PC's or Macs. So, we've developed Kylo as a free and simple TV browser that enables them to visit any site on the Web, and makes the entire experience more enjoyable...With the Loop pointer, we felt that we had the right hardware for consumers, but that was just part of the solution. The Kylo browser lets people view any Web site from a distance, use an on-screen keyboard, and benefit from a suite of optimized features for surfing the Web from the couch."

Key features of the Kylo Web browser, according to Hillcrest include: the ability to visit any Web site; an on-screen keyboard that appears when there is a need to enter text; compatibility with any physical keyboard for users who prefer to use one; fonts, a cursor and onscreen targets that are larger than those of traditional browsers; easy zooming and panning; the maximization of useful viewing space by hiding or removing toolbars, tabs, buttons and indicators; the ability to work with other traditional and in-air mice in addition to the Loop; easy bookmarking; a directory of links to dozens of popular Web sites; a Mozilla-based design; and easy download (from www.kylo.tv or www.hillcrestlabs.com/kylo) and set-up.

Immediately after its launch, the new browser was blocked by Hulu--the free, ad-supported broadband video venture co-owned by The Walt Disney Company (ABC), NBC Universal and News Corp. (Fox)--which also blocks Boxee's user interface, apparently out of concern that viewing of its programming on TV sets rather than computers might cannibalize its parent companies' audiences (note: it should, however, be pointed out that Hulu does offer its own lean-back/10-foot viewing experience, dubbed Hulu Desktop): Kylo users attempting to access Hulu are currently greeted with the message, "Unfortunately, this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience." Hillcrest has emailed the press the following statement, attributed to CEO Simpkins: "We have confirmed with Hulu that they are preventing the Kylo web browser from playing Hulu videos. Prior to our formal launch, Hulu videos would play within the Kylo browser. Like Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari, the Kylo browser is simply a Web browser that enables consumers to visit any site on the Web. We have tremendous respect for Hulu, and we hope that a continued dialog might influence their thinking."