Hi there! My name is Janko Roettgers, and this is Lowpass. In this Thursday edition, a scoop about a new TV OS from the founder of Hopin.
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Hopin's founder is building a new TV OS
Johnny Boufarhat, the founder of the virtual events startup Hopin, is working on a new operating system for smart TVs that is all about using AI for voice interactions. Boufarhat’s startup has begun signing up content partners for its efforts, and likely plans to launch a dedicated streaming device to run its OS, I've learned from scouring job listings, LinkedIn profiles and talking to people with knowledge of the company’s plans.
Boufarhat’s company is officially known as Kable Inc., and headquartered in Redwood City, California, where it occupies a former HVAC shop. The company originally intended to build a streaming platform for creators, but pivoted to build voice-first AI devices using Sedona as its brand name.
Forbes previously reported that Boufarhat was planning to launch an AI device under the Sedona brand, efforts the publication likened to OpenAI’s hardware ambitions. However, it’s since become clear that the company doesn’t plan to build another pair of AI glasses or a smart speaker, but a TV-connected device that combines streaming with AI.
The startup said as much in a series of recent job listings I was able to connect to Boufarhat and his team. The listings include the following description: “We’re building the next generation of the TV operating system, reimagining the experience at the intersection of television, streaming, and how people discover and search.”
Among the people Kable / Sedona is looking to hire are software engineers, designers as well as a head of product and a partnership lead. The job listings state that the OS will have a “thoughtful voice first remote navigation,” and that “AI is woven throughout the experience.”
Also telling about the direction the company is taking is a key part of the application process. Potential applicants for the software engineering role are told that they should record a 10-minute video outlining their approach to the following task:
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