Comcast has taken the wraps off a new cloud-based platform that turns the TV set into an interactive experience with third-party apps and the iPhone or iPad into a multi-gesture remote control. "I think of it as taking all our learnings from the web and all our learnings from video and tying them together," explained Comcast Cable President and CEO Neil Smit, who demonstrated the new products at the Cable Show.
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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.
The cable MSOs have long been accused of lagging in product innovation while boosting prices. Meanwhile, web-based services like Netflix and Hulu have grown market share, helping create a new demographic of "cord nevers." But over the last few months, Comcast is fighting back, unleashing a barrage of new products: second-screen Xfinity apps, a cloud-based set-top experience, social TV integration and now its own streaming service, Streampix.
As promised Comcast's Xfinity announced today it's beginning to roll out AnyPlay, a new live TV service for the iPad (and soon the Motorola Xoom, as well.) Subscribers will be able to watch any channels included in their Xfinity package within range of their home WiFi. "Currently, we're making AnyPlay available to Xfinity HD Triple Play customers in areas of Denver and Nashville at no additional charge," explains Mark Hess, SVP of Video Product Development. "If you don't live in Nashville or Denver, don't worry, as we plan to add more markets in the coming months."
It's always interesting to learn how the MSOs are treating and using social. When we spoke with Synacor, a company that helps MSOs use a secure, single sign-on to authenticate their subscribers for second screen apps, we learned about the challenges that are faced in sharing links across the social web that are walled-in by a provider login. We spoke with Cox Communications, the fifth largest MSO and learned about Cox TV Online and improvements to the set top box. Also, recently heard Rachelle Zoffer, Director, Content Strategy & Acquisition, Interactive TV at Verizon Fios (my own MSO and the 7th largest one) speak at a Producer's Guild of America New Media Council event where she discussed their investment in interactive widgets, such as on screen games for kids during Nick's Spongebob.
It's always interesting to learn how the MSOs are treating and using social. When we spoke with Synacor, a company that helps MSOs use a secure, single sign-on to authenticate their subscribers for second screen apps, we learned about the challenges that are faced in sharing links across the social web that are walled-in by a provider login. We spoke with Cox Communications, the fifth largest MSO and learned about Cox TV Online and improvements to the set top box. Also, recently heard Rachelle Zoffer, Director, Content Strategy & Acquisition, Interactive TV at Verizon Fios (my own MSO and the 7th largest one) speak at a Producer's Guild of America New Media Council event where she discussed their investment in interactive widgets, such as on screen games for kids during Nick's Spongebob.
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