webOS OSE 1.6.0 Release

March 14, 2019

We are pleased to announce the new release of webOS Open Source Edition (OSE). This release includes the following key features:

• Media component & API changes
• Text-to-Speech service
• Bluetooth profile support (AVRCP)
• Localization enhancement

Please refer to the release notes for the list of changes for this release.

Media component & API changes

As of this release, com.webos.service.avoutput (avoutputd) has been retired.

Instead, com.webos.service.videooutput (videooutputd) has been added. This API is a replacement for video control functionalities of com.webos.service.avoutput. Audio control functionalities are provided by com.webos.service.audiooutput.

From this release onward, com.webos.media (uMediaServer) will use com.webos.service.videooutput instead of com.webos.service.avoutput to control video-related features.

Text-to-Speech service

This release adds Text-to-Speech (TTS) service, which converts plain language text into speech output. The synthesized speech can be used by applications such as voice assistants, readout help files, or a web page. TTS can enable the reading of computer display information for the visually challenged person, or may simply be used to augment the reading of a text message.

TTS service supports the following main functionalities:

• Speak API that reads out an input text in the language of your choice. It generates a series of audio and outputs sound until the complete speech signal for the input text is synthesized.
• APIs to provide the list of languages supported by TTS service, and the status of the service.

To use TTS service, see the API reference of com.webos.service.tts. Before using the service, you need to enable Google Cloud Text-to-Speech API on the device by following the steps provided in the above link.

Bluetooth profile support (AVRCP)

This release brings you support for a new Bluetooth profile, Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP). The features of AVRCP are listed below.

• Connect to open an AVRCP connection to a remote Bluetooth device
• Drop the connection to the given remote device on AVRCP profile
• Return the status of an AVRCP connection to a remote Bluetooth device
• Receive PATH THROUGH command from Controller (typically considered as a remote control device) to Target (one whose characteristics are being altered)
• Supply media metadata of the target to remote devices connected via AVRCP 1.3 profile
• Supply media play status of the target to remote devices connected via AVRCP 1.3 profile
• Await incoming media metadata requests from remote devices, which is available only for Target
• Await incoming media play status requests from remote devices, which is available only for Target
• Get the remote device’s AVRCP features

To use the features, see the API reference of com.webos.service.bluetooth2.

Localization enhancement

You can now use the localization tool to generate string resources from your source code and translation files.

The localization guide has been updated accordingly, so we recommend that you check the guide if you’re interested in localizing your apps and services.