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OpenCable Application Platform
open-in-new
<p>The OpenCable Application Platform, or OCAP, is an <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> layer designed for <a href="/facts/Consumer_electronics/cJ8g9NXh">consumer electronics</a> that connect to a <a href="/facts/Cable_television/GzXa4pbW">cable television</a> system, the <a href="/facts/Java_/9ScgFyAL">Java</a>-based <a href="/facts/Middleware/HobNosz9">middleware</a> portion of the platform. Unlike operating systems on a <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">personal computer</a>, the cable company controls what OCAP programs run on the consumer's machine. Designed by <a href="/facts/CableLabs/jXu01KGU">CableLabs</a> for the cable networks of North America, OCAP programs are intended for interactive services such as <a href="/facts/ECommerce/7vxeea0Y">eCommerce</a>, <a href="/facts/Online_banking/lYdBsukr">online banking</a>, <a href="/facts/Electronic_program_guide/91vTJyHK">Electronic program guides</a>, and <a href="/facts/Digital_video_recording/g8V6BsU5">digital video recording</a>. Cable companies have required OCAP as part of the <a href="/facts/Cablecard/2BAPVVwl">Cablecard</a> 2.0 specification, a proposal that is controversial and has not been approved by the <a href="/facts/Federal_Communications_Commission/Ueghz8W0">Federal Communications Commission</a>. Cable companies have stated that two-way communications by third party devices on their networks will require them to support OCAP. The <a href="/facts/Consumer_Electronics_Association/4mwfDzM8">Consumer Electronics Association</a> and other groups argue OCAP is intended to block features that compete with cable company provided services and that consumers should be entitled to add, delete and otherwise control programs as on their personal computers. On January 8, 2008 CableLabs announced the <a href="/facts/Tru2Way/nbdIXK6m">Tru2Way</a> brand for the OpenCable platform, including OCAP as the application platform. </p>