Belgian interactive TV technology provider, Zappware, contacted [itvt]
last month to let us know that it has developed a custom EPG for
Geneva-based cable operator Telegeneve's digital TV service, naxoo.
Zappware says it built the custom EPG using its proprietary iView
platform, which it bills as a platform-independent production
environment for the development and modification of ITV services.
According to the company, the goal of the naxoo was project was to
redesign the EPG by extending its features while maintaining its look-
and-feel. The EPG's new features include:
- the ability for viewers to search for content by entering keywords of
their choice (previously they had to search in pre-determined
categories).
- eight days of program listings rather than five.
- visual marking of recorded and scheduled programs.
The naxoo EPG operates on ADB set-top boxes running Osmosys
MHP middleware. "We have chosen Zappware because of their
platform-independent approach which is a major strategic asset,"
Telegeneve CTO, Phong Pham, said in a prepared statement. "It means
that we are not tied down to specific set-top box/middleware vendors
and that we can evolve our TV platform without having to interrupt our
interactive services for our customers today."
In other Zappware news: The company was recently tapped by Carat,
the media agency of French automaker, Renault, to develop an
interactive TV application to accompany commercials and sponsor
screens it is running on Telenet around Formula 1 autoracing coverage.
The application allows viewers to participate in a quiz for prizes, view
the current rankings of Formula 1 drivers and teams, and access
information on new Renault models.
