ACCESS and Foxxum provide UX solution for AOSP smart TVs

ACCESS and Foxxum leverage Android to deliver smart TV solution for emerging markets

OBERHAUSEN, Germany — ACCESS CO., LTD and Foxxum GmbH today announce a collaboration to offer cost-effective, high quality User Interfaces (UIs) for multi-platform services based on Linux for Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The joint solution enables operators in emerging markets to offer competitive, next generation smart TV user experiences (UXs) that rival Android TV and proprietary solutions. At launch, the solution has already been adopted by Latin American operator MP3 for TV platforms designed by Diggio, Innova, Global, Hyundai, Nakamichi, Icesa and Ecoline.

“Consumers in emerging markets have always desired the same quality of experience as their counterparts in more mature regions. Budget restrictions have previously limited their ability to invest, resulting in clunky interfaces and sub-par experiences. By combining our expertise designing next generation multi-platform UIs with ACCESS’ expertise delivering connected entertainment on a multitude of platforms, we are offering CE manufacturers and brands the chance to deliver exciting user interfaces and user experiences that their customers are looking for,” said Ronny Lutzi, Chief Executive Officer at Foxxum.

The solution is based on ACCESS’ Chromium-based NetFront™ Browser BE for Android pre-validated with the Foxxum TV App Store and launcher and pre-integrated into the TV hardware itself to maximize the capabilities of each device and deliver a unified experience for all services. The flexibility of the solution enables Foxxum to customize the launcher for each operator, creating a fully branded environment that caters to different audiences. The launcher includes local content alongside the Foxxum App Store, which gives access to over 1 billion video titles across multiple content providers. It is already available in 36 languages for a wide range of Smart TVs from over 50 different manufacturers.

“For far too long, consumers in emerging markets have had to tolerate sub-standard user experiences, making the services they are using anything but ‘smart’,” said Dr Neale Foster, CEO of ACCESS Europe. “Our collaboration with Foxxum has enabled us to jointly create a solution that enables Smart TV vendors to provide consumers with the high-quality experience they deserve at the right price point. Thanks to our early commitment to Android and Foxxum’s innovative Smart TV portal technology, viewers in video-hungry emerging markets such as Latin America can now enjoy a seamless user experience on any device.”

Since its inception in the 1980s, ACCESS has continually demonstrated its commitment to supporting industry standards throughout its product portfolio. Today, the award-winning NetFront™ Browser family and ACCESS Twine™ solutions support HTML5, HbbTV 1.5, HbbTV 2.0.1, BML, Hybridcast, UK Freeview Play, YouTube on TV and uPnP, as well as device operating systems such as Linux, iOS and Android. With additional developments in the automotive and IoT spaces, ACCESS continues to develop solutions for the ever-changing connected entertainment industry.