Interactive TV

Intel Points to Motion-Sensitive Remote Control

Chip Maker Licenses Hillcrest Labs' Freespace Technology for IP Set-Tops, Gateways
By: Todd Spangler Mar 19 2013 - 1:45am
Chip Maker Licenses Hillcrest Labs' Freespace Technology for IP Set-Tops, Gateways

Intel is adding a point-and-click, motion-sensitive remote control option to its IP set-top and gateway platform for pay TV operators, through a licensing deal with Hillcrest Labs.

Intel’s new Media Server Reference Design, aimed at equipment makers developing set-top boxes and media servers based on the Intel Atom processor CE5300, will include the Hillcrest Freespace Motion Engine software. That will let MSRD devices use motion controls for navigating on-screen interfaces.

ActiveVideo Taps Cisco's Nemani as CMO

Marketing Exec Helped Launch Cisco Videoscape Multiscreen-Video Platform
By: Todd Spangler Mar 7 2013 - 10:58am
Marketing Exec Helped Launch Cisco Videoscape Multiscreen-Video Platform

ActiveVideo Networks hired Murali Nemani, the marketing exec who helped launched Cisco Systems’ Videoscape product line, as senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

Motorola Brings ITV to Older Set-Tops With ActiveVideo Software

Cisco Also Has Licensing Deal for ActiveVideo CloudTV Platform
By: Todd Spangler Feb 25 2013 - 3:35pm
Cisco Also Has Licensing Deal for ActiveVideo CloudTV Platform

Motorola Mobility, whose Home division is in the process of being acquired by Arris Group, has licensed ActiveVideo Networks’ CloudTV HTML5-based interactive TV software to render advanced user interfaces on even low-end set-tops.

ActiveVideo also has a licensing pact with Cisco Systems, which has offered the CloudTV software under its Videoscape brand as a way to let service providers deliver new features and applications to legacy set-top boxes.

Rovi Q4 Sales Down 10%

Renewed IPG Deals With 32 MSOs in the Period, With Service Provider Sales Up 4%
By: Todd Spangler Feb 14 2013 - 10:51am
Renewed IPG Deals With 32 MSOs in the Period, With Service Provider Sales Up 4%

Rovi boosted service provider revenue 4% in the fourth quarter of 2012 -- and renewed interactive program guide deals with 32 cable operators in North America in the period -- but overall sales fell 10% because of declines in the company’s consumer-electronics businesses.

Rovi’s total Q4 revenues were $157 million, down $17.3 million from the year-earlier period. It posted net income of $2.1 million, compared with a net loss of $49.3 million in the year-earlier period.

Intel to Revisit Smart TVs With HP, Others: Report

Chipmaker Reportedly Working With PC Manufacturers on Connected TVs to Launch in 2013
By: Todd Spangler Dec 28 2012 - 9:41am
Chipmaker Reportedly Working With PC Manufacturers on Connected TVs to Launch in 2013

Intel is working with PC manufacturers Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics to launch smart TVs in 2013, Asian electronics trade magazine DigiTimes reported Friday, citing anonymous sources at component suppliers.

Intel and HP representatives declined to comment. Representatives from the other companies did not respond to requests for comment.

Cox's Guide Gets Personal

MSO First U.S. Pay TV Provider to Offer Individual Recommendations
By: Todd Spangler Dec 17 2012 - 8:49am
MSO First U.S. Pay TV Provider to Offer Individual Recommendations

Perhaps you would like to try Modern Family? A slice of Homeland? Or maybe a side dish of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo?

Like a waiter at a high-end restaurant, Cox Communications would like to suggest something to watch that pairs with your unique tastes.

Sony, Ensequence to Pitch Over-the-Top ITV Ads and Content

CE Maker Cuts Deal to Embed Ensequence’s Platform Into Connected HDTVs
By: Todd Spangler Dec 4 2012 - 9:56am
CE Maker Cuts Deal to Embed Ensequence’s Platform Into Connected HDTVs

Sony Electronics struck a multiyear pact to embed Ensequence's interactive TV platform software on all of its Internet connected TVs, with Ensequence planning to sell the ITV capabilities to programmers and advertisers.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, all new Sony TVs will ship with Ensequence’s ITV platform software. In addition, the software will be available for Sony’s 2011-12 models of connected TVs through software updates.

Espial to Buy U.K. TV Browser Developer ANT for $8 Million

Companies Expect Deal to Expand Reach of HMTL5 User Interface Solutions for Television
By: Todd Spangler Nov 30 2012 - 11:08am
Companies Expect Deal to Expand Reach of HMTL5 User Interface Solutions for Television

Espial Group, a Canadian supplier of IPTV software and solutions, announced plans to acquire U.K.-based ANT, which sells Web-based user interface software for television, in a deal worth about $8 million.

Espial has offered to acquire all outstanding shares of ANT for £0.205 per share, valued at approximately £5 million (or $8 million at current exchange rates).

Rogers Invests In Interactive TV Startup Aiming at Smart TVs

TV Interactive Systems Relaunches as Cognitive Networks, Names Collette CEO
By: Todd Spangler Nov 29 2012 - 5:41pm
TV Interactive Systems Relaunches as Cognitive Networks, Names Collette CEO

The venture-capital arm of Canadian cable and wireless operator Rogers Communications has invested $2.5 million in automatic-content recognition service provider TV Interactive Systems, which is relaunching under the name Cognitive Networks.

Michael Collette (pictured above), a longtime executive in U.S. cable telecommunications and interactive TV, has been named Cognitive’s new CEO. The company said it has relocated its headquarters from New York to San Francisco “to tap into the talent pool and partnering opportunities in the Bay Area.”

Ensequence Granted Three ITV Patents

CTO Khader Says Patent Approach is 'Primarily Defensive'
By: Todd Spangler Nov 16 2012 - 1:07pm
CTO Khader Says Patent Approach is 'Primarily Defensive'

Interactive TV vendor Ensequence earlier this year was granted three additional patents -- covering the delivery of advanced programming across TV systems and mobile devices -- by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, bringing its total to 10.

The company's approach to patents "is primarily defensive in nature," Ensequence chief technology and product officer Aslam Khader said. "We don't really have a patent-licensing business. However, should other companies be interested in licensing, we are happy to engage with them."

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