UX (User Experience, User Interface, EPG) News

Sony 2017 4K HDR Android TVs now compatible with Amazon Echo
Jul 13, 2017 – Sony Electronics has announced that Amazon Echo devices can now control 2017 Sony 4K HDR televisions with Android TV. With this update users can ask Alexa to perform basic TV functions such as controlling the TV power, volume, play/pause/stop/fast forward controls, switch inputs and change channels.
News categories: Sony Electronics, Amazon, Mike Fasulo, Android TV, Digital TV, Smart Home, Smart TV, USA, UX

AT&T to roll out next-generation video platform
Jul 13, 2017 – AT&T this fall will begin rolling out a next-generation platform to customers, starting with DIRECTV NOW and DIRECTV companion app users. The platform will eventually provide a consistent look and feel across AT&T consumer video services throughout the United States.
News categories: AT&T, David Christopher, Apps, Digital TV, Streaming, USA, UX

CableClix introduces 'lean-back experience' for cable-cutters
Jul 12, 2017 – CableClix (OTCPK:CCLX) is pioneering online TV evolution by designing the first 'lean-back experience' for online viewing. CableClix combines big data with AI to perfect the personalization of TV content and improve usability.
News categories: CableClix, Jason Schoch, Cauri Jaye, Big Data, Digital TV, Streaming, USA, UX

BBC iPlayer introduces live restart from the TV guide with Freesat
Jul 12, 2017 – Live restart was pioneered by BBC iPlayer, and has been available for web and mobile browsers and for viewers watching on connected TVs for some time. Starting with Freesat, it’s now being made part of an EPG for the first time.
News categories: BBC, Freesat, Dan Taylor-Watt, Apps, Digital TV, Satellite, Set Top Box, Streaming, UK, UX

Accedo and Deutsche Telekom debut VR experience for live concerts
Jul 5, 2017 – Accedo has announced that is working with Telekom in Germany to launch the world’s first mass-market available Virtual Reality (VR) experience for live concerts. Magenta Musik 360 launched on 2nd June with live video streaming in virtual reality from Rock am Ring.
News categories: Accedo, Deutsche Telekom, Michael Lantz, Apps, Digital TV, Germany, Metaverse

BBC Taster launches virtual reality app
Jul 5, 2017 – BBC Taster has launched a virtual reality app available for Android and iOS. The app will feature a range of content designed to push the limits of virtual reality on mobile devices, including animated VR, interactive 360° videos, dynamic binaural audio and branching narratives.
News categories: BBC, Andy Conroy, Damian Kavanagh, Apps, Digital TV, Metaverse, UK

9% of U.S. broadband households plan to purchase a VR headset in the next year
Jun 29, 2017 – Parks Associates has announced a report revealing that 9% of U.S. broadband households plan to purchase a virtual reality headset within the next year. Purchase intentions have nearly doubled since early 2016, when only 5% planned to purchase a VR headset.
News categories: Parks Associates, Hunter Sappington, Tu Skuse, Market Research, Metaverse, USA

Kaltura supports launch of Vodafone TV OTT in Italy
Jun 26, 2017 – Kaltura has announced that its Kaltura OTT TV technology is supporting the launch of Vodafone TV in Italy. The service includes a cross-device TV experience, leveraging the Vodafone 4G network, on a new light STB with cloud DVR.
News categories: Kaltura, Vodafone, Ron Yekutiel, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Italy, Mobile, Set Top Box, Streaming, UX

Consumers expect AR and VR to merge with reality
Jun 21, 2017 – Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has published its latest ConsumerLab report - Merged Reality - revealing insights into how consumers expect virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to merge with physical reality, and that 5G will be a key technology for such experiences to become mainstream.
News categories: Ericsson, 5G, Digital TV, Market Research, Metaverse