--Oscars Second-Screen App for iOS Returns with New Features
--PGA Tour Launches iPad App Featuring Live-Streaming and On-Demand Video
Due to the large volume of news generated by the recent 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), we are covering stories in this issue in round-up/summary format. We anticipate that it will take us several more days to process all the news from the show: so if your company has sent us a press release or briefed us on an announcement, and you don't yet see your news covered in this issue, please bear with us.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Disney/ABC Television Group's Digital Media Team announced Wednesday that this year's official Oscars App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available in the Apple App store. "The Oscars App is designed to be the ultimate complement to the live telecast, giving fans premier access to the most memorable moments of the night through exclusive live cameras strategically placed on the Red Carpet, throughout the Kodak Theatre, and even in the Governors Ball, which is the official Oscar party of the night," the Academy and Disney/ABC state in their press materials. "Special cameras include the Thank You Cam--offering winners an extended opportunity to thank their supporters; Backstage Cam--capturing sound bites, backstage action, short interviews and behind-the-scenes footage; Control Room Cam--allowing users to watch the show's director in action; and Press Room Cam--featuring moments of winners in the press area...The app debuted last year as an integral part of the Oscar Digital Experience, which won an Emmy for Creative Achievement in Interactive Arts. This year, the team has built on that success with a few key enhancements, including: 1) A much larger pre-show presence in a new magazine-style format. Fans who download the app between nominations and the live show will have access to original video from last year's show, photos and--utilizing new iOS 5 Twitter integration--the latest social media buzz. 2) All video views are tracked through iCloud so viewers can keep track of what video they've watched regardless of the iOS device they are on. 3) Access to the hugely popular 'Oscar My Picks,' an interactive play-along game that offers fans a chance to test their Oscar prediction skills. Once they fill out their ballot they can share and view their friends' picks on Facebook. On Oscar Sunday, users play along during the show and predict category winners ahead of the opening of the envelopes. The app will refresh and calculate your results as categories are won. 4) Viewers can watch the live experience in two different modes: Watch or Direct. In Watch mode, the viewer will be guided through the live behind-the-scenes show. In the Direct mode, the viewer can select the cameras they want to use. 5) This year's app will have a live video grid so the viewer can watch all available cameras at once or zero in on one that looks the most interesting to them. 6) Once in a camera view, a ticker will display over the video to tell viewers what is happening on other cameras. That way, if a fan's favorite actor enters another view, they can jump to it quickly and easily."
The PGA Tour, whose digital initiatives are managed in partnership with Turner Sports, said Wednesday that it is now offering a free iPad app for the 2012 golf season, in the Apple App Store. "The app's centralized dashboard design provides fans with at-a-glance access to exclusive live coverage information including scoring, player statistics and course statistics," the organization states in its press materials. "The PGA Tour's iPad app will offer live streaming video coverage from multiple events in 2012 including this week's Farmers Insurance Open, as well as video highlights from all PGA Tour events this year...In addition to must-have information like live scoring, video, and all the latest social media updates, the new app also provides fans with information on weather conditions, players, tournaments and courses. Designed specifically for the iPad, the app has key features including: 1) Leaderboard/Standings: Full leaderboard stats including: tee times, position, thru hole, FedExCup points, round scores, player country, video highlights and more. 2) Player Cards: See player scorecards, stroke-by-stroke detail and live tournament stats for each player. 3) Live Streaming Video and Highlights: Access the latest Tour video including tournament highlights and live video coverage from PGA Tour events including this week from the Farmers Insurance Open. 4) Player Explorer: Discover information about active Tour players, including an interactive global map. 5) Course Info: Explore each week's course in this interactive feature that includes live data such as rankings, longest drive, longest putt and greens in regulation. 6) Stats: Live statistics from every tournament including scoring average, driving distance, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, scrambling percentage and strokes gained putting. 7) 'The Tour Report': Access to the latest tournament news and information via 'The Tour Report' that presents live coverage of every PGA Tour event." The app's presenting sponsor is golfing equipment manufacturer, Callaway Golf.
Event Will Feature 3 Tracks, Close to 150 Expert Speakers and Panelists, an Art Exhibit, and the 9th Annual Awards for Leadership in Interactive and Multiplatform Television
Tickets on Sale Now: Special Early-Bird and Group Rates Available
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Disney/ABC Television Group's Digital Media Team 
key enhancements, including: 1) A much larger pre-show presence in a new magazine-style format. Fans who download the app between nominations and the live show will have access to original video from last year's show, photos and--utilizing new iOS 5 Twitter integration--the latest social media buzz. 2) All video views are tracked through iCloud so viewers can keep track of what video they've watched regardless of the iOS device they are on. 3) Access to the hugely popular 'Oscar My Picks,' an interactive play-along game that offers fans a chance to test their Oscar prediction skills. Once they fill out their ballot they can share and view their friends' picks on Facebook. On Oscar Sunday, users play along during the show and predict category winners ahead of the opening of the envelopes. The app will refresh and calculate your results as categories are won. 4) Viewers can watch the live experience in two different modes: Watch or Direct. In Watch mode, the viewer will be guided through the live behind-the-scenes show. In the Direct mode, the viewer can select the cameras they want to use. 5) This year's app will have a live video grid so the viewer can watch all available cameras at once or zero in on one that looks the most interesting to them. 6) Once in a camera view, a ticker will display over the video to tell viewers what is happening on other cameras. That way, if a fan's favorite actor enters another view, they can jump to it quickly and easily."
