Table Of Content
Nowadays, many people consider television to be in what could be considered the 'golden age'. This is because there are a great number of high-quality shows available now, compared to how there were in the past. The market is driven by content, and thanks to new streaming services coming out constantly, there is always a lot of new series to watch.
Even though Netflix began as a sort of mail to door DVD rental service, they quickly pivoted their business model to favor the much cheaper alternative of streaming content. This was always their goal - they just had to wait for the technology to catch up with their vision.
At first, many people had access to the internet and could stream videos without any lag or quality concerns. This led to the rise of syndicated content, which Netflix easily took advantage of. Then it was only a matter of producing new content for Netflix to become the number one streaming platform for original content. Other streaming platforms quickly followed suit.
We suddenly saw streaming services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video begin putting out high-quality original series and movies. This continued for years. And, in fact, it still occurs today. More recently, however, it seems as if each individual cable network has decided that they want a piece of the action. And now we have platforms like Disney Plus, HBO Max, and NBC Peacock, all of which offer their own original content.
As streaming services proliferate, the nostalgic feeling about cable is becoming more and more apparent. If every network offered its own content, this would make streaming less convenient as a whole.
I hope I am wrong about this, but it looks as if we are heading down a road where the structure of streaming will just become a wireless and more expensive version of what cable used to be - having to pay per channel, only being able to watch certain programming on certain networks. It seems to me as if the streaming service industry is on its way toward entering a bubble, much like the dot com bust of the early 2000s.
However, only time will tell if this is the right move for everyone. Personally, I just want to sit back and enjoy all of the great streaming content that I can get my hands on. However, for those of you who are perhaps getting fed up with all of this corporate warfare and cashgrabbing for content, there is another way: using a media server.
Despite the restrictions that certain networks place on their members, media servers like Kodi can be very useful for accessing shows and movies from different services without having to pay for each one individually. Additionally, these devices can make it easy to access all of your subscription services in one place.
This Multi-Platform Home Theater experience allows you to access all your favorite streaming sites from one well-designed location on your TV. Similar to having a Roku device without the hardware, Kodi lets users quickly bounce between Netflix, Spotify, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Crackle, and the rest of them. All it takes is a click of the remote control. Plus, it has some very cool customizable features that you will not want to miss out on. This is an amazing way to take your at-home media enjoyment to the next level!
History
Kodi?s software was created in 2002. It was the independently developed ?homebrew? media player (as they are often referred to) that was originally called Xbox Media Player. It was coded for the very first Xbox gaming console. In 2004, its name was changed to Xbox Media Center (often abbreviated as XBMC ? this abbreviation became its official name in 2008). It first appeared as an app, too, under the name of XBMC and was available on Linux, Android, BSD, macOS, iOS, tvOS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Since Kodi is a free and open-source application, many different spin-offs have been developed. JeOS, for instance, altered Kodi so that it could be used as a software appliance suite or a software framework for smart TVs - essentially modifying Kodi's core C++ code. Other whole media server programs have also been created based on Kodi's initial coding - such as Plex and Media Portal. Because Kodi is free and open-source, these programs owe their existence to the application's free and open code.
Although the majority of attention Kodi has received has been positive, there has also been a great deal of flack because it is so easy for users to install third-party plugins, many of which are not officially authorized by anyone, least of all the streaming platforms and cable networks that are affected by the most.
These plugins and capabilities make it possible for people to get around paying for content. There are many extensions for Kodi, for instance, that allow people to stream copyrighted content for free. This is exciting news for cord-cutters and pirates around the world, but not so much for the NBC or Disney executive.
Design
I find the interface of Kodi to be sleek, easy to navigate, and intuitive. I like the default skin, which features a gunmetal and midnight blue theme, but it is also customizable to my preferences. Some of the many things that Kodi users love about the software are its flexibility and its intuitive design.
To the left of the interface, you will find a list of types of content. I believe this is the best way to organize Kodi according to media type because there are so many files and programs that Kodi can run. Simply choose from TV, radio, add-ons, pictures, videos, favorites, or weather. From there, Kodi will take you to all of your content - whether it is downloaded files or apps or extensions. Let Kodi turn your television into what essentially amounts to a powerful computer operating system.
Content
To put it simply, there's no limiting factor to what you can do with Kodi. Whether you're looking to watch your own videos and pictures, access streaming content, or try out new add-ons and extensions, Kodi has you covered.
Pricing and Plans
I mentioned previously that Kodi is 100% free and open-source. That means you can download it today, for no charge, and enjoy everything Kodi has to offer. All you have to pay is your monthly subscription fees of the programs that you want to be able to access on Kodi. Or find the right add-ons and pay nothing? What you do with Kodi is your business, but Kodi itself costs nothing.
Suggestions that I have for Kodi
I believe that Kodi should make it easier for users to download it. Especially, since the app is popular on smartphones and tablets. It can be a little more technical than necessary, and it could use some improvement in how easy it is to access. That said, I do not think that Kodi as a whole is inherently difficult.
Conclusion
If you want to take your home entertainment experience to the next level, then I recommend using Kodi. This software has the potential to change the way you watch TV and movies. It requires some work on your part, but it's definitely worth it. If you enjoy using Kodi, be sure to donate so that the developers can continue making improvements!
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