special report the connected world supplement Continued from Page 34.


find content on the PC, watch that same content on their television, pause the session, and using intelligent bookmarks, resume playback on their mobile device when they leave their house. The whole experience is designed to be individual and customisable to the consumer’s needs.


Though it may seem that


multiscreen delivery is a new concept, people are already doing it through different aggregators. Young consumers in particular - the ‘digital natives’ - already access on-demand content from their computer or mobile devices. What is missing from the market is the ability to present users with a realistic unified solution, meaning they no longer have to search different sources to find their content.


Using a touch screen device in conjunction with a television offers much more interactivity for the consumer. A study was conducted by the Ericsson Consumer Lab to try to identify the missing link between what is available on the market today and what consumers are seeking. According to the research, the use of new touch screen devices matches consumer desire to more flexibly interact with content in their homes. We at Ericsson reacted to this market need and created the IPTV Remote, a solution that offers a single interface enabling consumers to control live broadcast TV, on-demand video, Internet video, photos, audio and any media stored on a personal computer or device with storage capabilities.


The IPTV Remote can be used as a secondary TV screen and can also


Continued from Page 33.


standards for UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). These implementations create compelling usage scenarios. For example, a PVR could be controlled through DLNA-compatible devices without requiring an additional set-top box in another room, dramatically reducing the capital cost of supporting multi-room services. Similarly a network digital video recorder or operator portal service could be provided using the same technology platform.


This open standards approach decouples the common requirement for service providers (or for that matter consumers) to upgrade all of their devices to benefit from new features, since client and server devices can be updated and extended independently. It also avoids proprietary solutions and the associated costs and limitations of ‘vendor lock-in’, allowing manufacturers to add features that are interoperable with other compatible devices without having to reinvent the wheel. This in turn reduces the effort required for integration, and consequently the cost of development and time-to-market.


The combination of browser, media player and DLNA compatibility is extremely powerful. These elements provide the core building blocks of the network-connected home, and we think it makes sense to look for a pre-integrated solution that can accommodate all of these requirements. The resulting ecosystem enables consumer electronics manufacturers and service providers to offer a co-operative and symbiotic solution to the requirements of the end user, without having to provide every piece of the puzzle. All of which allows media providers, service providers and device manufacturers to concentrate on their core competencies and to comfortably co-exist, while differentiating their propositions in their respective areas of expertise, and giving consumers access to media anywhere in the home on the most appropriate device or display. The result is not only seamless media access for consumers, but also access to valuable new opportunities to those providing it.


www.ibeweb.com l the connected world supplement march/april 2011 l ibe l 37


function as a portable TV in a WiFi- enabled home. The interface is based on Ericsson’s new patented graphical user interface and makes it easy and enjoyable for viewers to access their favourite TV shows, social network or rent a movie on demand. A consistent user interface across multiple devices can also help with brand loyalty, and help create a more comfortable user experience.


It is also important that consumers are easily able to stream content no matter what device they are using. Quick playback is vital - in an environment where consumers are already used to getting video on- demand, ensuring content is delivered over high quality managed and unmanaged networks is vital for a seamless multiscreen experience. A system of automatic


recommendations based on the user’s behaviour will also be integral to the modern multiscreen experience. All devices on the user’s network will remember what kind of content the user is consuming most often and make smart recommendations based on their previous choices. This, of course, has major benefits for the consumer who will be able to simply identify and access content they enjoy.


This can be a very effective tool for the service provider to promote and advertise new content or services. For example, the customer could stream a trailer for a new series on their mobile device and buy it there and then so they can begin watching it when they get home.


There are also numerous benefits for the external advertisers who work alongside the content providers. Recommendation technology is an incredibly valuable resource to


The IPTV Remote can be used as a secondary TV screen and can also


function as a portable TV in a WiFi- enabled home. The interface is based on Ericsson’s new patented graphical user interface and makes it easy and enjoyable for viewers to access their favourite TV shows, social network or rent a movie on demand.


advertisers since it will allow them to understand what individual consumers like and what would appeal to them personally. They can then provide more targeted and relevant material, ensuring that they are reaching the right users and getting the most from their campaigns.


The interactive element of new mobile devices also means they are able to increase the levels of response from their target groups and are better able to measure the effectiveness of a campaign. Advertisers will have the added ability to reach consumers wherever they watch content, which is a major plus in an increasingly fragmented market. TV service providers can use the information they have to help advertisers identify and target specific audiences and deliver a relevant advert to them using the most effective platform. Working alongside a single service provider means that the process of planning and buying advertising inventory across multiple platforms is streamlined and allows greater opportunity to deliver campaigns that run across all screens. A fully connected multiscreen world is best achieved through the use of a unified solution. A single user interface which puts control into the hands of the consumer. A system that combines the full features of IPTV, mobile TV and WebTV, where they can buy and watch their content on- demand from any number of new screen devices from 3DTVs to the latest mobile device.


This is the philosophy that has been incorporated into our latest commercial multiscreen offering and the wider portfolio of solutions from Ericsson that are driving the creation of more connected world.


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