Editing Kodi (software) (section)

{{short description|Free software media player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox software
| title = Kodi
| name = Kodi
| logo = File:Kodi-side-by-side.svg
| logo size = 200px
| screenshot = Main Screen Estuary 17.6.png
| caption = Kodi 17.6 Home Screen
| author = 
| developer = Kodi Foundation
| released = 2002 (as [[Xbox Media Player]]), 2003<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/ |title=Xbox Media Center |date=2 October 2003 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031002022404/http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/ |archive-date=2 October 2003 |access-date=18 December 2016}}</ref> (as Xbox Media Center)
| ver layout = stacked
| latest release version = 21.2
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2025|01|19}}
| latest preview version = <!--19.0b2 "Matrix"<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/releases/tag/19.0b2-Matrix |title=Release 19.0b2-Matrix · xbmc/xbmc |date=7 December 2020 |website=[[GitHub]] |access-date=12 December 2020}}</ref>-->
| latest preview date = <!--{{Start date and age|df=yes|2020|10|05}}-->
| programming language = {{nowrap|[[C++]]}} core, with C++ (binary) or [[Python (programming language)|Python scripts]] as [[Plug-in (computing)|add-ons (plug-in extensions)]] from [[third-party developer]]s{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}
| operating system = [[Windows 10]] and later, [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[iPadOS]], [[tvOS]] ([[Apple TV|Apple TV OS]]), [[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]], [[webOS]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X/S]]
| platform = [[ARM architecture|ARM]], [[ARM architecture|ARM64]], [[MIPS architecture|MIPS]], [[RISC-V]], [[PowerPC]], [[IA-32|IA-32 (x86)]], and [[x64|x64 (x86-64)]]
| size = 
| language = 
| language count = 77 (via add-ons)<ref>{{cite web| title=Matrix Addons: Languages| website=Kodi| url=https://kodi.tv/addons/matrix/category/languages| access-date=18 September 2022| archive-date=22 September 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922102746/https://kodi.tv/addons/matrix/category/languages/| url-status=live}}</ref>
| language footnote = 
| genre = [[Media player (software)|Media player software]], [[Smart TV|smart TV platform]], [[digital media player]], [[digital video recorder]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]<ref name="license">{{cite web|url=https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/blob/master/LICENSE.md|title=xbmc / LICENSE.md|website=[[GitHub]]|access-date=1 July 2021|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605084453/https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/blob/master/LICENSE.md|url-status=live}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://kodi.tv/}}
}}

'''Kodi''' (formerly '''XBMC''') is a [[free and open-source]] [[Media player (application software)|media player]] and [[technological convergence|technology convergence]] software application developed by the Kodi Foundation, a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit]] technology [[consortium]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kodi.tv/about/ |title=About Kodi |publisher=kodi.tv |access-date=5 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807221746/https://kodi.tv/about |archive-date=7 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kodi is available for multiple operating systems and hardware platforms, with a software [[10-foot user interface]] for use with televisions and [[remote control]]s. It allows users to play and view most streaming media, such as videos, music, [[podcast]]s, and videos from the Internet, as well as all common [[digital media]] files from local and network [[storage media]], or [[TV gateway]] viewer.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center">{{Cite web |url=http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/modding-xbox-ultimate-multimedia-center,807.html |title=Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center |last=Patrick Schmid |date=5 November 2004 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

Kodi was initially designed as a [[multi-platform]] [[Home theater PC|home-theater PC]] (HTPC) application that has grown to become a multi-purpose [[technological convergence]] platform. It is customizable: [[Skin (computing)|skins]] can change its appearance, and [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] allow users to access [[streaming media]] content via online services such as [[Amazon Prime Video]], [[Crackle (company)|Crackle]], [[Pandora (service)|Pandora]], [[Napster (streaming service)|Napster]], [[Spotify]], and [[YouTube]].<ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier">{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/open-source/reviews/2009/12/xbmc-911-makes-your-open-source-home-theater-look-shinier.ars |title=XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier |last=Ryan Paul |date=29 December 2009 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416191227/http://arstechnica.com/open-source/reviews/2009/12/xbmc-911-makes-your-open-source-home-theater-look-shinier.ars |archive-date=16 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The later versions also have a personal video-recorder (PVR) graphical [[front and back ends|front end]] for receiving live television with [[electronic program guide]] (EPG) and high-definition [[digital video recorder]] (DVR) support.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/xbmc-10-pvr-raspberry-pi/ |title=XBMC celebrates 10 years, latest build works in mainline PVR and Raspberry Pi support |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=10 October 2012 |publisher=Engadget.com |access-date=28 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129233946/http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/xbmc-10-pvr-raspberry-pi/ |archive-date=29 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The software was originally created in 2002 as an independently developed [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] media player application named '''Xbox Media Player''' for the first-generation [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] game console, changing its name in 2004 to '''Xbox Media Center''' (abbreviated as XBMC, which was adopted as the official name in 2008)<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center" /><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine">{{Cite web |url=http://www.o-sd.com/hardcoregamermag/publicPDF/HGM_Aug.pdf |title=HGM Aug |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714223409/http://www.o-sd.com/hardcoregamermag/publicPDF/getfile.php?file=HGM_Aug.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2011 |access-date=31 May 2010}} Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine</ref> and was later made available under the name XBMC as a native application for [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Linux]], [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]], [[macOS]], [[iOS]]/[[tvOS]], and [[Microsoft Windows]]-based operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-softmod-your-xbox...for-FREE/ |title=How to soft mod your xbox...for FREE |last=VzjrZ |date=18 January 2007 |website=Instructables |access-date=30 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714220836/https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-softmod-your-xbox...for-FREE/ |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Then the project was renamed again from XBMC to "Kodi" in July 2014 with the release of Kodi 14 (instead of the expected XBMC 14 release), while still keeping "XBMC Foundation" as the name for its legal entity that owns Kodi's code as well as directly related trademarks and logos.

Because of its open source and [[cross-platform]] nature, with its core code written in [[C++]], modified versions of Kodi XBMC together with [[Just enough operating system|JeOS]] have been used as a [[software appliance]] suite or [[software framework]] in a variety of devices, including [[smart TV]]s, [[set-top box]]es, digital signage, hotel television systems, [[Digital media player|network connected media players]] and embedded systems based on [[ARM architecture#VFP|armhf]] platforms like [[Raspberry Pi]]. Derivative applications such as [[MediaPortal]] and [[Plex (software)|Plex]] have been spun off from XBMC or Kodi, as well as [[just enough operating system]]s like [[LibreELEC]].<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period.">{{Cite web |url=http://www.instantfundas.com/2009/08/xbmc-is-best-media-center-application.html |title=XBMC is the best media center application. Period. |last=Kaushik |date=8 August 2009 |website=instant fundas |access-date=9 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714220836/https://www.instantfundas.com/2009/08/xbmc-is-best-media-center-application.html |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience">{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/05/xbmc-904-delivers-impressive-media-center-experience.ars |title=XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience |last=Ryan Paul |date=10 May 2009 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429165149/http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/05/xbmc-904-delivers-impressive-media-center-experience.ars |archive-date=29 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Voddler använder XBMC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.xbmc.nu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177:voddler-anvaender-xbmc&catid=37&Itemid=2 |title=Voddler använder XBMC (Bekräftat!) |last=Richard Skalsky (a.k.a. GrandAnse) |date=2 July 2009 |website=xbmc.nu |language=Swedish |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225170902/http://www.xbmc.nu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177:voddler-anvaender-xbmc&catid=37&Itemid=2 |archive-date=25 February 2012 |access-date=21 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool">{{Cite web |url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/15/interview-we-talk-to-the-lead-developer-of-plex-media-center-for-mac-os-x-it-was-doing-boxee-like-stuff-before-boxee-was-cool/ |title=CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool |last=Nicholas Deleon |date=15 January 2010 |website=CrunchGear |access-date=16 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118083235/http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/15/interview-we-talk-to-the-lead-developer-of-plex-media-center-for-mac-os-x-it-was-doing-boxee-like-stuff-before-boxee-was-cool/ |archive-date=18 January 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Thinking inside the box">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/07/boxee-web-video-software |title=Thinking inside the box |last=Kevin Anderson |date=7 October 2009 |website=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605103526/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/07/boxee-web-video-software |archive-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kodi has attracted negative attention from the news media and law enforcement agencies due to some add-ons as plug-ins made available by third parties for the software that facilitates unauthorized access and playback of media content by different means of [[copyright infringement]], as well as sellers of [[digital media player]]s that pre-load them with third-party add-ons for the express purpose of making [[Online piracy|piracy]] easy. The XBMC Foundation have expressed that they do not endorse the use of third-party add-ons that are designed for the purpose of piracy, and it takes active steps to disassociate and distance the Kodi project from third-party add-ons that violate copyright. These steps include blocking such add-ons and banning all discussions about piracy in their community forums, as well as threatening legal action against those using the Kodi [[trademark]]s or logos to promote add-ons and digital media players that come with them pre-installed with such add-ons.<ref name="engadget-sellerskodi"/>