Chromecast competitor Matchstick is delayed due to new hardware

The release of Matchstick, a competitor to the Chromecast based on Firefox OS, will not be released this month but will not be released until August. This has to do with the choice for a faster processor, to enable Netflix support, among other things.

The news was announced on the Kickstarter page. Initially, the HDMI stick should have been shipped this month to the people who supported the project, but the makers have indicated that they need more time. There will be more applications for the Matchstick, such as support for DRM and Netflix. This means that the dual-core Rockchip soc that should have been built in originally is no longer sufficient: instead, a quad-core soc of an undisclosed type is used for extra computing power.

In addition to a faster processor, work is also being done to improve Wi-Fi reception. Also, more content providers should be warmed up by DRM support to support the Matchstick. In the coming months, the makers want to disclose more information about the support of streaming services. Despite the better hardware, backers do not have to pay extra. They will have to wait until August: the improved Matchstick is expected to be ready to be delivered.

The Matchstick is comparable in functionality to Google’s Chromecast and was announced in September. The device was soon funded with a Kickstarter campaign. Mozilla contributes to the software with Firefox OS.