Xbox revealed its next-generation console today, Xbox One, featuring live TV integration and two big announcements to blur the lines between television and social gaming. “Until now the television viewing experience has been a one way experience, but that’s about to change,” explained entertainment chief Nancy Tellem. “Only on Xbox, will TV become social.”
We’re offering $100 off either AllFacebook Marketing Conference, or AllTwitter Marketing Conference and $200 off a Combo Pass to attend both events. We’ve secured an A-List roster of social media strategists from Toyota, Mashable, the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco Giants, and more. This offer expires at midnight, so register now with the code ONEDAY and save.
Social Media Week is upon us again and I’m excited to announce that I’ll be participating in “Social TV: The next 12 months” hosted by Digitas. “From record engagement to major brand campaigns to multi-million dollar acquisitions, there’s no question that the intersection of television and social media has carved out a place in popular culture,” reads the panel description. Here’s a sneak peak from the other panelists and our moderator on what you’ll learn via Vines and short video. Read more
As the web video industry continues to mature, TV networks must begin to watch how these new entertainment platforms are innovating for consumers. We recently sat down with Kelly Day, the CEO of Blip. Previously Day was the EVP & General Manager of Digital Media and Commerce, at Discovery Communications. We learned about Blip’s plans for the future and how Day’s taking her experiences from traditional TV to pave the way for the future of short-form video entertainment. Read more
Stevie, a Tel Aviv-based startup has a mission to change the way we consume social on TV. The company, which “turns your Facebook and Twitter into a beautiful television experience,” launched at TechCrunch Disrupt is announcing a big partnership today to bring their service to more devices. We spoke with CEO and Founder Yael Givon. Read more
Microsoft has hired Nancy Tellem, the former president of CBS Television Studios, to head up a new original programming unit at Xbox, reports the New York Times. The unit will be based in Los Angeles, tasked with creating entertainment content that "fuses video and gamelike content," sources told the Times. Microsoft's official announcement is expected later today.
Sounding a little like Apple, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the wraps off a new tablet family at a media event in Los Angeles. "We believe that any intersection between human and machine can be made better when hardware and software are considered together," Ballmer said before unveiling "Surface," a family of tablets with an integrated kickstand and a cover that doubles as a tactile keyboard. The thinnest tablet runs Windows RT, the other runs Windows 8. Prices were not revealed.
We've written many times about Xbox's advantage in the living room -- after all, it's TV's largest social network -- and today Microsoft continued the Xbox entertainment push with new announcements at E3. First, Microsoft previewed a new second-screen app called "SmartGlass" that runs in sync with content you're watching via Xbox. The app, launching this fall, will run on Windows 8 tablets, Windows phones and "and other portable devices," including iPhone and Android.
As promised, Xbox has rolled out three big content partners, beefing up its role as a big television player in the living room. Starting today, HBO Go (for participating providers), Xfinity and MLB (for subscribers) are debuting on Xbox Live, adding to Netflix, Hulu, ESPN and many more. And marking today's announcement, Xbox said more people are now using the console for entertainment purposes (TV, movies and music) than gaming.
With 66 million consoles sold and 40 million Live subscribers, Xbox rarely gets credit for being a force in television. But at CES, Xbox won the overall "TV Innovator of the Year" award, beating out category winners like Samsung 3DTV, MobiTV and thePlatform. Organizers noted Microsoft's aggressive strides into TV over the last year, from Bing search and Kinect navigation to new partnerships with 40 new TV and entertainment providers.
Microsoft's annual CES keynote -- its last, according to the company -- was light on product announcements, but it did demonstrate how Kinect can transform traditional TV into a social, interactive experience. Using PBS Sesame Street and National Geographic as examples (promotional video below), CEO Steve Ballmer showed how Kinect can engage kids to participate in educational TV. Here's a video:
NEXT PAGE >>
Lost Remote Twitter feed loading...