Newsclip Service
Archive - January 2002
23 January 2002
Research Shows Demand for Messaging-over-TV
Research carried out for Comverse to assess the UK market demand for messaging services over TV has revealed a strong interest among digital TV subscribers to send and receive messages such as voicemail, short messages (SMS), email and instant messaging on their TV sets. (Source: Comverse) (see press release)
21
January 2002
Half of digital TV users don't know how to interact
Research conducted on Digital TV users in the UK
revealed that over half of didn’t know they could use their remote controls to
interact with their TVs for shopping and gaming. Only six percent have ever
bought anything through their iTV services. (see
press release)
22 January 2002
Argos and Woolworth’s pulls out of iTV
Argos is ending its
services on SkyDigital and Telewest, while Woolworths is pulling the plug on its
SkyDigital interactive shopping operation. The Argos and Woolworths interactive
operations were successful in terms of sales. However, insiders suggested both
retailers were disgruntled with the amount of revenue they were forced to hand
over to Sky.
21
January 2002
Video-on-demand drives iTV
Cahners In-Stat's research has shown that the global
interactive television market is beginning to take off, mainly due to the
increasing popularity of VOD services. By 2005, over 44 million households
worldwide will use these services, up from 1.3 million last year. (Source: Nua
Internet Surveys) (see
press release)
17
January 2002
Pace
offer affordable Digital TV
Pace
Micro Technology announces the world’s first low-cost, Digital TV Adapter
enabling consumers to receive digital channels for a one-off cost of £99.99.
This will provide a new and cost-effective path to digital for those who have
yet to make the switch. (see
press release)
17 January 2002
Frontier Silicon to Drive Global Penetration of Digital TV & Digital Radio
Frontier Silicon has a new approach to highly integrated system-on-chip (SoC) silicon that will enable mass-market penetration of digital multimedia technology and has launched its first product, the Frontier Chorus processor for advanced digital audio and multimedia. (Source: Frontier Silicon) (see press release)
16
January 2002
Advanced
Modems are here
The development of an
advanced generation of cable modems called DOCSIS™ 2.0 has been completed,
which creates a network that has 30 megabit per second (Mbps) capacity in two
directions. That tripling of data capacity enables services such as
videoconferencing. (see
press release)
“On
Demand” to revive iTV interest
Following a stream of
promises and false starts, the iTV market is finally beginning to take shape,
according to a research report, the market is poised for growth, particularly in
North America but iTV must still overcome some formidable obstacles, including a
broad misunderstanding of exactly what iTV is. (see
press release)
Advanced Virtual Education Space (VES) launched
Sun Microsystems have launched a Virtual Education Space (VES), it is the latest version of its e-learning platform and tools initiative based on Sun Open Net Environment (Sun ONE). It is hoped to improve test scores, increase school accountability, enable better access to learning content, and take significant steps toward eliminating the digital divide. (Source: Sun Microsystems) (see press release)
Websoft Systems enable Sophisticated Video Learning
Websoft Systems has released the Video Training Component, which can deliver streaming audio and video, synchronized with graphics, animation, text, and interactive assessments. It also has a customizable "command panel" that streams video in one of the most effective ways of distributing training content quickly and clearly to a mass audience. (Source: Websoft Systems) (see press release)
Video Streaming to take off in 2006
According to research by Analysys, Video streaming is becoming a realistic option for businesses and the market in Western Europe is forecast to grow almost tenfold in the next five years, from around US$25 million in 2001 to nearly US$200 million in 2006. (Source: Analysys) (see press release)
15
January 2002
Germany
comes last in iTV survey
Only
8.2% of German households could watch digital TV at the end of last year,
compared to a European average of 16.3%. By contrast, 37.0% of UK households had
digital TV access. This leaves a big question mark over the future of the
technology in Germany’s market. (see
press release)
14
January 2002
Annual
USA Video Report released
The U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) released its "Eighth Annual Assessment of
the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video
Programming". A section of the report examines the interactive television
market. (see
report)
13
January 2002
Analogue
switch off set back to 2010
The UK government has conceded that the analogue switch off may well be at the end of their 2006-2010 deadline due to a reluctant attitude from the general public towards digital TV and the equipment it requires. (see report) (see article)
9 January 2002
Video Streaming is taking off
According to "Video Streaming for Enterprises: forecast revenues for service providers", a new report published by Analysys, Video streaming is becoming a realistic option for businesses and the market in Western Europe is forecast to grow almost tenfold in the next five years. (Source: Analysys) (see press release)
8
January 2002
TiVo offers Digital Music Management
TiVo
Inc. and RealNetworks®, Inc. have integrated RealOne Player with TiVo’s
next-generation DVR, which will enable customers to download, personalise,
manage and play their favourite music, streaming video and other digital content
from the comfort of their living room. In addition, consumers will be able to
stream more than 2,000 Internet radio stations, view artist and album
information, and access the Internet. (see
press release)
7 January 2002
Partnership
to Lead to Live Broadband E-Learning
Mentergy Ltd, (a global leader in blended e-Learning techniques
and technologies) have signed an agreement with Telefonica Data
Argentina (a global leader in data, Internet communications and
information services), for joint implementation of Interactive Distance
Learning services. Telefonica Data Argentina will launch the Interactive
Distance Learning service using Mentergy's TrainNet system.
(see press release)
Republic of Ireland’s getting iTV
Sky Television and Nevada tele.com will make
interactive television services available in the Republic of Ireland for the
first time. The two companies offer a range of new online interactive services
to Sky Digital's Irish digital satellite television audience in the first half
of 2002. These services will include e-mail, betting, voting and interactive
advertising. (see press
release)
Omne Communications selects InfoSpace for PC and TV Services delivery
InfoSpace has been chosen by Omne Communications to provide a platform of Internet applications and services across the PC and TV. The services will be available to subscribers within Omne's digital network, throughout Southwest Scotland and Northwest England, enabling them to access and personalize information, applications and services from either the PC or TV. (Source: InfoSpace) (see press release)
5
January 2002
TV
Portals offer access to iTV
Research shows that TV
portals offering local content will play a key role in helping iTV flourish,
Similar to online portals, a TV portal is an interactive screen that will lead
viewers to interactive content and applications. It also allows operators to
introduce new interactive TV applications in the future and minimizing viewer
confusion.(see
press release)