LocateTV iPhone/iPod touch App Launched

Interactive TV and conditional access technology provider, NDS, contacted [itvt] Wednesday to let us know that it has launched an iPhone/iPod touch app for LocateTV, an online programming guide which it operates and which allows users to search for programming on TV, the Web and DVD (note: according to Quantcast figures cited by the company, the site, which launched in October, 2007, reaches over a million people each month in the US and the UK).

The free app, which the company developed internally, requires iPhone OS 3.1 or later. According to NDS, the app offers a "now-and-next" TV schedule, full and customizable TV listings, access links to online viewing, DVD availability/price comparisons, and full integration with iTunes, allowing direct downloads of TV shows and movies. "We are constantly looking for ways to enrich the TV viewing experience and as the mobile phone is fast becoming the 'third screen' in and outside of the home, creating an iPhone application was the next logical step," Brian Margolis, LocateTV's director of business development, said in an email. "We have worked hard to meet the needs of today's on-the-go multiplatform viewer, but as technology and demands are evolving we are developing new functionality to meet those challenges--both online and on the iPhone application."

Earlier this year, NDS announced a major redesign and relaunch of LocateTV (see the article published on itvt.com, August 11th).

In related news:

• Broadband, mobile and social video platform provider, Kyte, announced Wednesday that its platform will support Android and Nokia phones starting early next year. The company launched support for iPhone and BlackBerry earlier this year. Key features of the Kyte platform, according to the company, include real-time chat, comments and ratings, the ability to share content, and real-time viewer counts.
• The National Film Board of Canada says that its NFB Films iPhone application has become one of the most downloaded and used Canadian apps for that platform. The app--which is billed as allowing "full and free viewing of roughly 800 documentaries, animated films and trailers streamed over WiFi, 3G and EDGE wireless networks"--has had over 60,000 downloads since its October 21st launch and over 185,000 plays, the NFB claims
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the launch of two new iPhone applications--pocket BLU and social BLU--that are designed to enhance the interactivity of its Blu-ray Disc titles. According to the company, pocket BLU uses WiFi "to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray player and offers the following advanced features: [1] Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions with ease. [2] Video Timeline: By turning the phone to landscape mode, users will bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the movie. [3] Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of exclusive bonus content with their Blu-ray discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there's a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere. [4] Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray Hi-Def. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device. [5] Pop-Up Keyboard: Enter data into a Blu-ray player with this easy and intuitive keyboard that will facilitate such Blu-ray features as chatting with friends and sending messages." social BLU, meanwhile is billed as allowing users to "easily sign on with their Facebook and Twitter login information and enjoy a variety of connected Blu-ray features with their friends. Users can control status updates from their Blu-ray player, the UniversalHiDef.com website, or within pocket BLU," Universal continues, adding that "as part of the newly developed interactive social BLU technology, users can update their Facebook and Twitter profile statuses via BD-Live. With the click of a button," Universal says, "users can rate the movie, send messages and on future releases will be able to share film-related user-generated content with their friends via their social networking pages."