Following on from the news that People of Lava are going to be releasing a TV with Android 1.5 built-in, we thought we’d put a few questions to them. People of Lava’s Marketing Director, Martin Ljunggren kindly took a few moments out from his day to answer our questions. Here’s what he had to say:-
First off, many folks will likely never have heard of your company, when did you start manufacturing televisions?
We have been making televisions since the year 2001, under the name Lava.
When do you anticipate that the Scandinavia line will be available for purchase?
The official launch will be at IFA in September, in Germany. But already during early summer, we will invite early users to purchase Scandinavia as beta-testers.
Do any retailers currently stock your televisions (online or otherwise)?
Our focus the last two years has been on our motorized accessories, and especially our mMotion Swing http://www.peopleoflava.com/mounts/mmotion_swing/how-does-it-work/ ,  and therefore unfortunately less on our TVs. But they are sold in Sweden, the UK, Italy, Australia and other markets. Until now, it has mainly been the Flex models, and the Northern Star that we have sold. See them here: http://www.peopleoflava.com/television/ As the Scandinavia becomes available we expect it to be stocked all over the world.
Is the Android interface on the Scandinavia sets a custom-designed UI? Â If so, how long did it take to create?
Yes it is. It is done with the cooperation of our various partners in the field, and has been on going for the last 1-2 years.
Generally, for the last 3-4 years, we have worked with combining PC-attributes with the TV. We have experimented with diffrent low-power, low-heat solutions, but in the end all platforms have been too heavy, too demaning, and too much of a computer.
This should be as simple to use as your TV – just with more features and new ways to interact and communicate. This is what â€a Window to the world meansâ€.
When Android came about, we studied it closely, and found partners to realize the dream of integrating its features into our TV.
This has been possible becasue of Android’s ease to work with, it´s openness, and the fact that it is Open Source. This means that much has been done. What we do is to package the features we find most useful, thereby both combining and enhancing both the TV and the Android user experience.
Will the television ever be upgradeable to newer versions of Android?
Yes, since the TV is connected to the Internet, (both wired and wireless) and we are using the open Android platform, both the OS (Android) and the Apps will be upgradeable, over the Internet. We hope to be able to add more and more features as the product matures. Often, when products are new the “killer apps” are not quite known yet – as with SMS for the mobile phone. But we think we have covered many basic uses with Youtube, Facebook, Twitter etc – and of course, the Web browser – which is not locked or blocked in any way. We want people to be able to choose themselves exactly what they want to shape their “window to the world”.
What form(s) of network connectivity will the sets have?
The Scandinavia comes with a wired connection out of the Box, with WiFi via an optional USB dongle
Will the Android build on the sets integrate with the television’s functionality in any way, as in, program scheduling, or image captures from the screen etc?
At the moment, the Android platform is not integrated in the TVs functionality. This may be something we will pursue in the future.
What is the anticipated retail price for these units?
The 42″ units will start around €2,000-€2,500 at their launch at IFA in September.
What storage and memory sizes do the televisions use? Is the storage expandable (eg: via MicroSD or USB)?
Extra storage, and all kinds of accessories can be added, using the integrated USB-port
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Very clever idea, but it’s hard enough concentrating on watching TV these days what with the temptations of laptops and mobile phones – do we really need MORE ways to interrupt telly?!
And I really don’t want the wife firing up YouTube during advert breaks.
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