What is Kodi?
Since its inception back in 2002, Kodi has undoubtedly grown. So much so, that it has firmly established itself as the first port of call for home streaming fans in search of a one-stop shop for viewing media.
Available on a multitude of platforms, you are able to make use of this software on everything from your home PC to your Android tablet or phone. So, it’s clear to see why so many people choose to use Kodi to get their entertainment fix.
Combined with the fact you are able to install a whole host of Kodi addons – both official and unofficial, this further enhances the appeal of Kodi. Essentially, this allows you to customize Kodi and tweak the settings so it runs exactly how you would like.
Sounds good, right? But, just what is Kodi? What makes Kodi popular? And is it even legal? – these are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to using Kodi. So, without any further ado, it’s time for you to discover the answers to these questions and more as we delve deeper into the history of Kodi and what it’s all about.
What is Kodi?
“What is Kodi?”, you ask. Well, it’s essentially a free, open-source piece of software that is able to run on major platforms including Windows, Android, and Linux. Known as XBMP (Xbox Media Player) upon its release in 2002, this soon evolved into XBMC (Xbox Media Centre).
Kodi was initially created to run on the now obsolete original Xbox console. As it wasn’t officially endorsed by Microsoft, the only way to install the software onto the device was to hack the console or install a modchip. Fans of modding soon found out about software and began to expand upon it alongside the founder of Kodi – the XBMC Foundation.
However, a rebrand was undertaken back in August 2014 to create the brand many people around the world now know and love – Kodi. In the wake of this event, Kodi began to surge in popularity around the world. It certainly doesn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon either!
What can I do on Kodi?
The stock Kodi app is great once up and running as it allows you to share your content wirelessly across all of your devices – whether it is an audio or video file. It is also possible to make use of a whole host of other features too – this includes the likes of electronic programme guides, live TV recording, and even controlling of the software with an official mobile remote app. This is available on online marketplaces such as the Google Play Store.
The beauty of Kodi is that when it comes to customization, the possibilities really are endless. For instance, you are able to install countless numbers of plug-ins and addons, make use of different Kodi skins, and utilise features such as weather forecasting.
As Kodi is based on open source software, this allows developers to create third-party addons which can be easily added to the Kodi platform. However, it is worth mentioning that large numbers of these addons aren’t endorsed by Kodi in any way. This is because any of them provide free access to copyrighted material such as TV shows and movies. This will be looked into further in the next section. So, continue reading and you’ll find out everything that you need to know.
Is Kodi legal?
Due to the fact you have the ability to add unofficial third-party addons, many people believe that Kodi is illegal. After all, addons such as Specto, Exodus, and Mobdro allow you to access a whole host of TV shows, movies, and live TV streams free of charge.
However, the aforementioned addons and other similar alternatives simply aren’t endorsed by the founders of Kodi – the XBMC Foundation. Kodi software itself is completely legal – its main purpose is to allow you to watch content you already own.
But, when you begin to use addons such as the ones previously mentioned, you are running the risk of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or the government snooping in on your internet activity. If you are found to be accessing copyrighted material without prior permission, this can lead to receiving a warning letter, a fine, or even prosecution.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. All that you need to do to keep yourself protected is invest in a solid VPN for Kodi. If you do just that, you’ll be able to make the most out of Kodi while keeping your internet activity well away from any prying eyes. At the same time, you can enjoy safe and anonymous browsing – even on unprotected public networks!
Conclusion
Well, that concludes our complete guide to Kodi! It’s clear to see that it is one of the world’s most popular media applications. Offering an easy to navigate user interface, excellent customisation options, and so much more, it goes without saying Kodi has so much potential, and this makes it hugely popular among its loyal user base.
However, it is safe to say that Kodi has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the last few years. This is because you have the ability to access copyrighted material via unofficial third-party addons on the platform. If you’re planning on making use of such addons, then proper precautions need to be taken – you can do exactly that by using a VPN as we covered in the last section.
Of course, Kodi software itself is totally legal. So, if you’re using a stock version of the app with only official addons installed, there should be absolutely no need for you to worry.
Overall, it can be said that Kodi doesn’t show any signs of disappearing any time soon. It has long been one of the first-choice media solutions for many due to the reasons outlined in this article. So, it is well worth checking out if you haven’t done so already!
