French network operator Bouygues Telecom has selected Bluestreak Technologies Inc’s Flash based MachBlue platform to power the next generation interface of Bouygues’ Bbox IPTV.
With media players from the likes of the Android powered Google TV, Apple TV, and Boxee Box among others encroaching on the domain of set-top boxes, the updated Bbox is the opening salvo that the cable operators are intending to fight back.
“There’s two completely different separate worlds for most users: one world where I have all this great, compelling options on my television, my favorite sports, my favorite shows and my favorite movies. And then this other world, where I have all my great web videos and my favorite websites,” describes Google Project Manager Rishi Chandra.
The new Bbox leverages Bluestreak’s Flash platform to upgrade the standard IPTV console to deliver a fresh design and compelling services in three steps: user interface, Internet services, and media center.
User Interface: Immediately available, the Flash based MachBlue platform provides a richer and more customizable interface to the Bbox home portal and electronic programming guide.
Internet Services: By the end of the summer, Bouygues will release a Widget Framework which will initially include seven services starting with news, sports, stocks, weather, traffic, entertainment headlines, and horoscopes with more to come in the future.
Media Center: In the fall, this function will be added for users to upload multimedia files via USB drives to view photos, music, and videos on their television.
“With the launch of this new, Flash powered IPTV interface, Bouygues Telecom is setting themselves apart in the IPTV market,” said Dominique Jodoin, Bluestreak Technology CEO and President. “The slick user experience and rich widget content coupled with Bouygues direct marketing will prove successful. We are pleased to have met Bouygues Telecom’s renowned high expectations in terms of user experience and quality of service to deliver a solution in a very competitive and mature market.”
A fair start but we expect to see a lot more integration and new interactive services before winners are decided in the battle to win over the single largest video monitor in your home.
