News Round-Up

Here is a round-up of some other interactive TV-related stories we didn't have room for in this issue:

• Light Reading Cable's Jeff Baumgartner has an update on Canoe Ventures' ongoing tests of methods for dynamically inserting advertising into VOD programming. The tests are being conducted in the company's Innovation Lab, and are using This Technology's SpotBuilder Placement Opportunity Information Service (POIS) software.
• Envivio has announced that Portugal Telecom has selected its Three Screens delivery platform to support the commercial roll-out of its new broadband video service, MEO@PC. "The service relies on Envivio's complete Internet TV solution, including 4Caster C4 encoders configured to deliver content via Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming and Silverlight, protected with PlayReady DRM, providing subscribers with high-quality video and playback delivered over broadband," Envivio states in its press materials. "After an initial trial period, PT plans to offer subscribers a channel line-up and interactivity that mirrors its [Microsoft Mediaroom-powered] MEO@TV service throughout Portugal.
• Las Vegas casino operator, MGM Mirage, has launched Vegas Reality, an augmented reality application for the Apple iPhone. "While strolling The Strip, point your iPhone at resorts and casinos and watch as information automatically appears as floating text on your screen, using your phone's camera and GPS services," the company says in its press materials, adding that the app allows users to: "virtually jump inside your favorite resort to learn about its shows, nightclubs, restaurants and more; easily buy tickets and book reservations with one touch; access [a] property's real-time Twitter feed for deals and events; select 'fun facts' for info and videos sharing famous--and infamous--moments in Vegas history; explore CityCenter's public Fine Art Collection, including artist bios and facts about each piece; [and] explore Vegas virtually. Regardless of your 'real' location," the company continues, "open the app and be transported to Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard."
• Microsoft and Netflix have announced that Netflix has selected Microsoft PlayReady technology and the Protected Interoperable File Format (PIFF) for use in new "Netflix-ready" devices and applications. "Today's agreement, which makes Microsoft PlayReady the primary content protection technology for Netflix partner devices and applications, underscores the benefits of PlayReady as a flexible, reliable and scalable content protection technology," the companies say in their press materials. "Netflix already deploys PlayReady to enable all instant streaming scenarios on Windows-based PC's and Macs. The company expects the first Netflix-ready devices beyond computers to incorporate Microsoft PlayReady as early as this summer. The Netflix-ready device program, which launched in 2007, already has dozens of devices on the market that use Windows Media DRM."
• Saffron Digital has announced that its video delivery technology will be powering a new online video platform developed by NBC Universal International. According to the company, the platform will provided localized NBCU programming on 30 Web sites in Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, South Africa and the Asia Pacific region.
• As [itvt] was going to press, we saw a Facebook posting from OTT specialist, Sezmi, announcing an update to its service: "Hey Sezmi users, notice anything different with Sezmi this weekend?," the posting asked. "On top of some feature updates, for the same low price, Select Plus users now have 8 new channels like MSNBC, CNBC, Oxygen & HL News. There's also brand new Entertainment Zones that group all your favorite live, recorded & on-demand shows, movies, web …videos & podcasts from the same entertainment brands such as: Discovery, TNT, USA & many others."
• Dutch interactive TV company, Stoneroos, contacted [itvt] Tuesday to let us know that it has launched a free iPhone/iPod touch TV guide application, dubbed iFanzy, for the German and Turkish markets. According to the company, the app allows users to "browse complete TV listings, check a movie guide with extended details and trailers, and get personal recommendations." The company has also launched a Yahoo! Widget Engine-based version of the app for the German market, where it is available on Sony, LG and Samsung TV sets. And it has launched an iFanzy widget for YUIXX's online media player.