Many people are saying that we are living in the golden age of television because there is an abundance of high-quality shows available. This is because of the current market where streaming services constantly compete to release new content.
We can thank Netflix for this race to become the top streaming service. They started it off. Even though they began as a sort of mail to door DVD rental service that would eventually render Blockbuster obsolete, they quickly pivoted their business model to favor the much cheaper alternative of offering streaming content. I imagine this was always their goal? They just had to wait for the technology to catch up with their vision.
The moment that most people had reliable access to the internet and could stream content without lag or quality concerns, Netflix quickly became the number one streaming platform for original content. From there, every other streaming platform raced to keep up.
A recent trend has been the emergence of streaming services, such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, which are producing award-winning original series and movies. This trend continues to this day. More recently, however, it seems that each individual cable network has decided they want in on the fun. Now there are platforms like Disney Plus, HBO Max, and NBC Peacock that offer their own original content as well.
This makes streaming services less convenient because there are too many different networks trying to compete with each other.
I hope I'm wrong about this, but it looks like 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.
But, hey, only time will tell, right? For now, I personally want to sit back and continue enjoying all of the great, critically acclaimed 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 cash-grabbing for content, there is another way. That's right: going the route of a media server.
Kodi media servers can bypass certain network-only protocols, allowing users access to shows and movies even if they are not subscribed to Netflix, Hulu, etc. This resource becomes convenient for easy access to all of one's subscription services.
Thanks to Kodi, you can now access all of your favorite streaming sites from one location on your TV. This does away with the need for separate devices, like Roku and DirecTV boxes. Simply use the remote control to quickly jump between Netflix, Spotify, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, and more. There are some great customizable features that you will love. With Kodi, you can take your home media experience to the next level!
History
Kodi?s software was created in 2002. It was originally called Xbox Media Player. It was coded for the very first Xbox gaming console. In 2004, the software's name was changed to Xbox Media Center (often abbreviated as XBMC). 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 spin-offs have been created that focus on different areas of usage. One example is JeOS, which has modified Kodi so that it can be used as a software appliance suite or a software framework for smart televisions - 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. All of these programs are free and open source, meaning that anyone can use them without paying any fees.
Although Kodi is generally well-loved, it has come under fire in recent years for its easy accessibility to third-party plugins that can be used to watch unauthorized content on streaming services and traditional cable networks.
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 news is exciting for cord-cutters and pirates around the world, but not so much for the NBC or Disney executive.
Design
I like the design of Kodi's interface. It is sleek, easy to navigate, and easy to use. I especially like the default skin, which is a sort of gunmetal and midnight blue theme - but if that's not your preferred look, don't worry, because Kodi can be customized to look how you want it to. Many people love this feature about Kodi software.
The left-hand side of the Kodi interface contains a list of media types. This is the most logical way to organize Kodi, because of the enormous number of files and programs that Kodi can run. Simply choose from TV, radio, add-ons, pictures, videos, favorites, or weather. After making a selection, you can browse all your content - from downloaded files to apps to extensions.
Content
Kodi lets you access any content that you can find online, as well as tons of extensions and add-ons to customize your experience. Whether you're looking for movies and TV shows, sports content, or simply want to replace one channel with another, Kodi has you covered.
Pricing and Plans
Kodi is 100% free and open-sourced, which means you can download it today, free of charge. All you need to pay is your monthly subscription fees for the programs 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
My only suggestion for Kodi is to make it easier to download, particularly for smartphones and tablets. I feel like it requires a little more technical savvy than is necessary. That is not to say that it is outright difficult. But it is also not as simple as searching Kodi in the app store and clicking ?Get.? So, making Kodi more accessible for the masses would be my only suggestion.
Conclusion
Kodi is a great tool that can take your at-home entertainment experience to the next level. If you are willing to take the time to learn the Kodi interface, it will be well worth your investment. I recommend trying it out today! Remember, donating is the only way Kodi can keep improving.