ITV

Category: Technology

  • PhonePe clocks 335 Million transactions in July. Hits USD $95 Billion Annual TPV Runrate

    PhonePe clocks 335 Million transactions in July. Hits USD $95 Billion Annual TPV Runrate

    MUMBAI: PhonePe, announced today that it has achieved an annual TPV (Total payment volume) run-rate of $95 billion while clocking 335 Million transactions in July. PhonePe’s TPV run-rate has grown nearly 5X in the past year, since crossing the $20Bn mark in June 2018. This phenomenal growth has come on the back of the exponential expansion of PhonePe’s merchant network, both online and offline.

    PhonePe has invested aggressively on its marketing activities this year and was the official co-presenting sponsor for the TV broadcast of VIVO IPL 2019 and the Official co-presenting sponsor for the TV broadcast of ICC World Cup 2019.

    Sameer Nigam, CEO and Founder PhonePe said, "We are thrilled by the rapid adoption of PhonePe services across India. Last month alone, the PhonePe app was used by 60 million users. This means one out of every 15 Indian adults used the PhonePe app in July. This is both very exciting and very humbling for our company which launched less than 3 years ago.”   

  • Videon Products at IBC2019

    Videon Products at IBC2019

    At IBC2019, Videon will showcase its award-winning EdgeCaster edge compute encoder. Videon's EdgeCaster is the industry's first HTTP CMAF streaming encoder that includes multiple-bit-rate outputs in support of ultra-low-latency streaming solutions for broadcast, pro AV, and prosumer applications — at an industry-leading price point.

    IBC2019 Highlight: EdgeCaster Ultra-Low Latency Encoder
    Videon's EdgeCaster product is at the forefront of edge computing. The EdgeCaster enables 4K HEVC and H.264 encoded signals as part of an HLS, DASH, and CMAF workflow, while simultaneously creating six different encoded output versions. By performing these functions that are traditionally carried out in the cloud, EdgeCaster enables faster-than-broadcast latency while also reducing the cost of streaming.

    The key to the EdgeCaster's management of time-laden, expensive cloud functions such as transcoding, format repackaging, multiple-bit-rate creation, and other computationally intensive processes is Videon's intellectual property developed using Qualcomm® technology. With the processing power of the SnapDragon™ chip, the EdgeCaster streams at resolutions up to 4K at 30 FPS using either H.264 or H.265/HEVC compression. The EdgeCaster can also output up to six streams simultaneously, in multiple bit rates and resolutions, using chunked HLS or DASH and still offer the flexibility to take advantage of power over ethernet (PoE).

    As an AWS Elemental Technology Partner, Videon's EdgeCaster interfaces directly to MediaStore and Cloudfront, enabling less than 3 seconds of latency, in scale, over public internet connections using standard HTTP-compatible applications for playback. As a result, EdgeCaster users can easily launch and scale up services — including live, interactive services and other delay-sensitive applications.

    In addition to HTTP-based streaming, the EdgeCaster can simultaneously support two additional low-latency formats. Videon's support for SRT on both encode and decode allows users to stream from building to building or across campuses while achieving latency of less than half a second. EdgeCaster's robust feature set ensures maximum flexibility by touting three low-latency options ranging from worldwide in three seconds, one second interactive, and less than a second for unparalleled point-to-point streaming. 

  • The Meitu App to wow Indian users with the launch of its new ‘Animate’ feature

    The Meitu App to wow Indian users with the launch of its new ‘Animate’ feature

    MUMBAI: Leading global innovator in mobile photo and video technology, Meitu is set to disrupt India’s photo-editing app segment by unveiling its newest Animate feature. Using AI technology, Animate brings pictures to life with a variety of dazzling effects. Whether it’s floral aura, vanishing heart, flying butterfly, flowing hair, petal burst, flame nebula, color filter overlays, or other motion filters, the Animate feature turns your imagination into reality in just one tap.

    Reports indicate that Indian users spend several hours on selfie-editing apps each day, with as many as nearly 2 million people using animated effects for their photos. The Meitu App which has garnered a 435% increase in daily active users (DAU) in India in June has been found to be particularly popular in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, which substantially contribute to the Meitu App’s overall growth in the market. In this way, the Animate feature speaks to India’s fascination with photo-editing tools that enhance users’ social media posts in exciting new ways.

    Chen JianYi, head of the Meitu App, said, “We believe in turning the extraordinary into reality. Today’s users are always seeking new ways to retouch their photos, but are typically limited to basic filters and editing options. Our extensive research into consumer behavior and preferences shows that users want more out of their photo editing experience. For this reason, we have created a feature that offers a broad range of opportunities for users to explore their creativity by turning their static photos into dynamic flowing worlds.”

    Instantly turn static photos into magical flowing worlds

    The Animate feature adds motion to regular photos, turning them into a visual delight. Inspired by some of the world’s most beloved tales of magic and fantasy, the Animate feature allows users to experience the feeling that they are the masters of their own dynamic universe, just like the wizards and witches of fantastical realms. Not only does the Animate feature create magical portraits instantly, but it may also be used on landscapes, objects, group photos, full body portraits, and more.

    Smart Mode: Ready-to-use templates for the ultimate photo editing experience

    The Animate feature offers a quick tutorial to help users navigate its many possibilities. Simply open the Meitu App, and select a photo and magical template to create a customised animated image. Smart mode is extremely easy-to-use, and offers a range of effects such as Bling Bling, Sakura Beam, and more. Each effect includes different templates to meet users’ needs with multiple scene features.

    Manual Mode: Allows more advanced users to fully explore their creative potential

    More advanced users have the option to use manual mode to explore their creativity with the freedom to edit their photos manually. In this way, users can adjust their photos as they see fit, to create stunning and personalised works of art.

    Meitu’s AI technology creates stunning film-quality effects

    The Meitu App's Animate function uses a combination of cutting-edge AI technologies from MTLab that include instance segmentation and portrait area in-painting technologies. Its portrait segmentation technology is able to handle complex scenarios with multiple people and complicated backgrounds. Not only can it segment humans from scenery, it may also be used to add customised details to individuals within a group.

    Using portrait segmentation technology, Animate’s portrait area in-painting function is able to give portraits entirely new backgrounds. Animate offers a number of background effects, such as Sparkly Locks, Magical World, and Angelic, to add even more enchanting ambience to images that have been enhanced with AR or particle effects.

    Upcoming versions will allow users to apply unique effects to individuals within a group picture in Smart Mode. The Meitu App’s superior instance segmentation algorithm will also continue to improve the processing speed, robustness, precision of different kinds of images.

    Create dynamic fantasy worlds in just one tap with Animate!

  • Brightcove Signs agreement to acquire Ooyala’s online video platform biz

    Brightcove Signs agreement to acquire Ooyala’s online video platform biz

    MUMBAI: Brightcove, a global provider of cloud services for video, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the online video platform (OVP) business of Ooyala, a provider of cloud video technology.

    It also includes acquiring video content management and publishing platform Backlot, Analytics, Live, and its underlying IP and associated patents. As part of the transaction, Brightcove will acquire substantial portions of Ooyala’s engineering, support, and sales staff, including the company’s Guadalajara, Mexico operations. It intends to take on all customer, reseller, and partner relationships utilised by Ooyala’s OVP business globally.

    Brightcove CEO Jeff Ray said, “Ooyala has tremendous global customers who understand the power of video and its ability to transform business and reach new customers. This transaction, which includes immediately growing our highly skilled and committed global workforce, accelerates our ability to deliver faster innovation and deeper support for all customers. We also will increase our market reach and further strengthen our ability to secure new business in key target markets. We look forward to welcoming Ooyala’s OVP customers and ensuring a smooth transition and a world-class experience for them.”

    Over the past 15 years, Brightcove has developed the most sophisticated online video platform in the market with solutions supporting media, entertainment, marketing, and enterprise spaces. Aspects of Ooyala’s technology will be integrated into the Brightcove platform to provide a more robust global offering for all customers.

    Ooyala  CEO Jonathan Huberman said, “We hold our customers’ success as paramount. Selecting Brightcove further demonstrates this commitment and ensures they will receive a world-class experience.”  

    The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

  • Silverpush grows 100% y-o-y following apac expansion

    Silverpush grows 100% y-o-y following apac expansion

    MUMBAI: SilverPush, the marketing technology platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) designed to effectively improve engagement between brands and consumers, is set to become the fastest-growing contextual marketing tech company from India. 

    Since it’s expansion in APAC last year, the firm has rolled-out several innovative technologies to bolster their audience reach and significantly increased its headcount. To date, SilverPush has been experiencing over a 100 percent year-on-year growth – of which 30 percent is contributed by the firm’s international business. 

    “The opportunity to grow in Asia is huge, given that online video revenue is expected to grow at 21 percent CAGR across the region in 2017-2022,” said Mr. Kartik Mehta, Chief Revenue Officer of SilverPush. “For 2019, we expect our contributions from online video to reach 50 percent and with it to be driven by consumers in the Asia-Pacific. In 2018, we started working with global brands such as Ford, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Samsung, and many others.”

    In Southeast Asia, the company has experienced a fivefold growth in revenue. The company credits this performance to the rising consumer appetite for on-demand and multiscreen viewing. 

    “Users in Southeast Asia are spending more time on their mobile devices compared to those from other regions, so there is a constant rise in internet and smartphone penetrations,” added Mr. Kartik Mehta. “Also, businesses in these markets are maturing and becoming more open to integrating newer technologies in their audience outreach strategies. We plan to leverage on this and grow our business significantly by helping marketers effectively target their audience engagements.” 

    The company’s latest product, Mirrors, was launched in late 2018 to help contextualise ads when people are viewing content on their devices – therefore aiming to tackle the US$170 billion global problem of misplaced online advertising. Using AI with computer vision, Mirrors detects context in video content that aligns with an advertiser’s core communications objectives, allowing them to effectively target their ads in a world already cluttered with advertisements. This contextual approach to marketing seeks to revolutionise the way that brands engage with their audience.

    SilverPush has already supported the campaigns of regional brands in APAC such as Indofood, Unilab and Tiger Beer – as well as international brands such as Unilever, KFC, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Johnson & Johnson and many more.

    In addition to India and Southeast Asia, SilverPush is also present in South Africa, Tanzania, Japan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. With an aim to further amplify its business presence in Hong Kong in the next two months, the company plans to expand to Australia and South Korea by Q2 of 2019. 

  • Shemaroo Bhakti App Acts as a Devotees Guide for Kumbh Mela 2019

    Shemaroo Bhakti App Acts as a Devotees Guide for Kumbh Mela 2019

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment Limited, has curated a special section on Shemaroo Bhakti App for the devotees going to Kumbh Mela. The app will provide information on the history of Kumbh Mela, the upcoming events, travel and stay options and services available at the Mela for its subscribers.

    Shemaroo ventured in the devotional category a decade ago tapping the religious beliefs of Indians. Shemaroo Bhakti app was launched in January 2018 and has received an overwhelming response from subscribers across the globe till now. Shemaroo’s Bhakti app was recently awarded under the Most Innovative Mobile app category at the Drivers of Digital Summit 2018.       

    Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful gathering in the world and plays a vital role in India’s historical, cultural and spiritual heritage where devotees from across the globe come to attend the holy festival. Users of Shemaroo’s Bhakti App will have information ranging from introduction to Kumbh Mela, Mythological significance, Rituals of Kumbh to the bathing dates and weather updates of Kumbh Mela 2019. The Rituals of Kumbh section will highlight all the important rituals that will go on during the Kumbh Mela. Bathing dates section will have all the bathing dates which can be added to your mobile calendar for reminder. The app is also equipped with a map for easy navigation during Kumbh in Prayagraj along with medical facilities available during the entire Kumbh duration.

    Shemaroo team will be creating content of Kumbh Mela darshan, which will be made available on its DTH & digital platforms.

    Additionally, this year’s Kumbh Mela will see an extravagant experience zone created by Shemaroo wherein the devotees will get hands-on experience of Shemaroo’s devotional services.

  • Messaging Gets Smarter with Classification, Smart Notification and Backup Features for Truecaller Users

    Messaging Gets Smarter with Classification, Smart Notification and Backup Features for Truecaller Users

    MUMBAI: Truecaller introduces three new smart updates called ‘SMS Classification’, ’Smart Notification’ and ‘Messages Backup’ to its existing Messaging Inbox feature, to enhance the SMS messaging experience for all Android users.  Truecaller in its continued effort to make life easier by providing safe and efficient communication tools, has launched the new features to empower users to effectively manage their cluttered Messaging Inbox while ensuring they don’t lose out on valuable information every time they uninstall the app or change their smartphones.

    SMS’s are so frequent that sometimes even important messages are treated no differently than spam-led, coupon codes or promotional updates. SMS Classification, equipped with advanced machine learning algorithms will help sort messages in 3 groups (contacts, others, spam) based on the content of the message. For instance, personal messages will be shown under the contacts tab, blocked/top spammer messages will directly land under the SPAM tab while the rest of the messages will be classified under the others category based on the content. The classification happens offline and locally on the user’s phone without any data being stored on Truecaller’s servers.

    The Smart Notification feature scans through incoming SMS locally on the phone without touching Truecaller’s servers, and creates a smart card highlighting relevant data like OTP number, transaction amount or payment reminders for the users to act on. Additionally, the user will also be able to perform certain actions like recharge or pay bill straight from the smart card that appears on the notification tab by just clicking on the pay option provided.

    SMS Notification converted to Smart cardThe first update will initially show smart messages from HDFC, AXIS, ICICI, CITIBANK, SBI, Bank of Baroda, PNB, BOI, Union Bank and mobile operator including Airtel, Idea, Jio and Vodafone. In line with Truecaller’s aim to provide secured tools, this feature is also designed to work completely offline and will take place only on an individual’s handset ensuring that none of the user’s transactional info or OTPs touch Truecaller servers. Users can choose to disable this update when preferred.

  • P&G rolls out innovative, connected products at CES 2019

    P&G rolls out innovative, connected products at CES 2019

    LAS VEGAS: Can an FMCG company go the connected product route too?

    Well the Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble obviously believes that's the way to go. At a press conference today, the global major unveiled six products at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas during CES 2019. The purpose according to a press release it issued is to share “how the company is leveraging cutting edge technologies to develop new products and enhance everyday experiences for consumers around the world” at the world’s preeminent showcase for global innovation.

    Among the six products it featured include:
    SK-II’s Future X Smart Store, transforming beauty retail shopping with facial recognition and gesture-driven “phygital” experiences, augmented by SK-II’s proprietary skin science and diagnostics. 
    Team SK II marketing director global operations Sandeep Seth spoke at length about SKII’s smart bottle which recommends and rewards users for successful applications of the serum. He, however, revealed that the focus of the brand will be China and Japan, the place where the SKII has some seven to eight per cent marketshare. “India is sometime away,” he said.

    Olay’s Skin Advisor platform, which uses artificial intelligence to provide personalised skincare analysis and recommendations by analyzing selfies and a short questionnaire.

    The Oral-B Genius X toothbrush, which uses artificial intelligence to recognise how users are brushing and provides personalised feedback that leads to better brushing, and superior oral health. Company officials say that product pricing has not been fixed as yet, it is expected to be in the $200-250 range.

    The new Heated Razor by GilletteLabs, which features a warming bar that heats up in less than one second and elevates the shave experience, delivering the pleasure of a hot towel shave with every stroke.  The focus, according to company executives, is to make the shaving experience a comfortable one for users. “Other innovations can follow,” said they.

    Opté Precision Skincare System combines camera optics, proprietary algorithms, printing technology and skincare in one device that scans the skin, detects hyperpigmentation and applies corrective serum with precision application to reveal the natural beauty of skin. The corrective serum is available in  light, medium and dark shades and one fill of the serum in the applicator lasts for about 60 applications. 

    AIRIA, a smart home fragrance system that uses patented, capillary action and heating technology to establish scent-enhancing ambiance with the touch of a button.

    DS3 range of  personal care products which feature compressed serves of detergent, handwash, detergent. “The products will be great for travellers as they and their packaging is fully dissolvable with water on use,” said a company official. “And they are very compact just a few inches in size.”

    “We’re living in a time of mass disruption, where the exponential power of technology combined with shifting societal and environmental forces are transforming consumer experiences every day,” says P&G chief brand officer Marc Pritchard. “P&G is integrating cutting-edge technologies into everyday products and services to improve people’s lives. We’re combining what’s needed with what’s possible. By answering the question, ‘what if,’ we’re delivering irresistibly superior consumer experiences.”

    “We’re innovating faster than ever, combining more than 180 years of capability with the entrepreneurial spirit of a lean startup,” said P&G chief research, development & innovation officer, Kathy Fish. “As consumers are changing, so are we. What remains the same is our focus on deeply understanding how consumers live, work and play so we know precisely what they want. When we combine breakthrough science and technologies with this deep consumer understanding, we’re able to deliver transformative innovations that improve life every day.”

    The company is scheduled to unveil additional products on Tuesday in P&G’s LifeLab exhibit when CES opens to the public. P&G promises an immersive experience that highlights how the company’s approach to innovation and partnership-building is creating the products consumers want, often before they even know they want them, says the company press release.  

  • Consumer Electronics Show 2019: A ringside view

    Consumer Electronics Show 2019: A ringside view

    LAS VEGAS: CES. Billed as the world’s largest consumer electronics show which brings in about 180,000 visitors who queue up and walk miles visiting 4,000 plus exhibitors who are showing  off the latest in tech over 2.5 million square metres of exhibition space.

    Yes, you heard it right, 2.75 million feet and it is spread over three zones Tech east, Tech South and Tech West. But the three zones cover the masssive Las Vegas Convention Centre (LVCC) and several other glitzy gambling marquee properties such as MGM Grand, The Venetian, Sands Expo, Palazzo, Aria, Rennaisance, Westgate, Mandalay Bay, and what have you where exhibitors will be flogging their wares in order to strike deals for the new tech they are show casing. Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, it will be held from 8-11 January.

    Of course, a stellar line up of conferences has been drawn with several global leaders lining up to speak. Among those who will be delivering official keynote:

    •     LG Electronics president & chief technology officer  I.P. Park
    •     CTA president &  CEO Gary Shapiro and CES executive vice president Karen Chupka
    •     IBM chairman, president &  CEO Ginni Rometty
    •     Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg
    •     AMD president & CEO Lisa Su
    •     U.S. secretary of transportation Elaine L. Chao
    •     AT&T Communications CEO John Donovan and MediaLink chairman & CEO Michael Kassan

    Now one may ask why is indiantelevision.com going to town about CES by attending and sending out reports on it?

    Well for one tech, telecom and media are converging – the lines between traditional television, streaming media, IoT are increasingly becoming finer with players crambling to get a centre spot in the consumers mind and a big share of his  or her wallet. Telcos, media companies, broadband service providers, entertainment, news and sports, broadcasters, OTT providers, cable TV operators, DTH providers, are forging alliances or acquiring or merging with each other – even in tech slowlane driving India.

    Then CES has a special zone for media, entertainment, advertising and brands in the Aria area where one can bump into leading brands and CMOs on the Story Tellers stage,  including IBM’s Michele Peluso, Unilever’s Keith Weed and Proctor and Gamble’s Marc Pritchard, MasterCard chief markerting and communications officer Raja Rajamannar, and Cadillac CMO Deborah Wahl. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, senior executives from broadcast, pay TV and OTT tech solutions providers will be discussing the future of video. Immersive media has a string of conferences and keynotes lined up giving us an update on the progress in this segment.

    There is a glaring focus on esports where Twitch global content development and emerging markets general manager Kendra Johnson,  Razer global esports director David Wan Tat Tse and Immortals exec chairman Noah Whinston will be talking about the role that technology has to offer this exciting exploding segment.

    Clearly, giving our readers a ringside view of technology for media and entertainment from an Indian perspective is what we are setting out to do at CES in the harsh and punishing town of Las Vegas,  Last night when we landed in Vegas it was chilly and raining cats and dogs. This morning as this report is being filed, the skies are mostly clear with a few clouds, and the sun is shining bright.

    Yet CES can be rewarding for many. Ask the many hopefuls who keep inserting coins into the slot machines at the various casinos for hours on end. And yes some do hit minor rewards if not the jackpot. We are hopeful that you will too. 

  • Synamedia makes CES debut, offering pay-TV providers frictionless cloud migration strategies, new revenue opportunities

    Synamedia makes CES debut, offering pay-TV providers frictionless cloud migration strategies, new revenue opportunities

    LONDON : Synamedia, the largest independent video software provider, will bring its newest solutions to CES® 2019, illustrating how pay-TV providers can migrate to the cloud at their own pace, and seamlessly.  The company also unveiled new security software that combats the rapid rise in account sharing between friends and families, turning it instead into a new revenue-generating opportunity for operators.

    Synamedia is bringing to market effective solutions built to support customers wherever they are on their journey to deliver a blended broadcast and OTT multi-screen experience. Now an independent business, the company is committed to providing the world’s most complete, secure and advanced end-to-end open video delivery solutions.  Synamedia was formerly Cisco’s (NASDAQ: CSCO) Service Provider Video Software Solutions business. Its enviable portfolio of over 200 pay-TV and media customers includes Astro, Bharti Airtel, China DTH, Foxtel, Oi and Tata Sky.

    At the core of the Synamedia offerings is Foundation (formerly known as Evo), the pay-TV industry’s most widely deployed platform across cable, satellite and IPTV. Additionally, Infinite allows blended broadcast-OTT services to be delivered from a cloud-based infrastructure. With a clearly defined migration roadmap, pay-TV customers using the Foundation hybrid broadcast platform can now deploy Infinite to embark on a smooth and measured transition to the cloud.

    At CES 2019, Synamedia will showcase its leading technologies and latest offerings, including:

    •        Credentials Sharing Insight is a new offering within the video security portfolio. It uses AI, machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify, monitor and analyze credentials sharing activity across consumer accounts. It allows operators to turn casual sharing into incremental revenue, as well as detect and apply enforcement procedures on fraudulent, for-profit credentials sharing accounts.

    •        Video Processing features Synamedia’s patented low-latency ABR and Smart Rate Control that optimize IP video processing to match traditional broadcast quality, reliability and cost – currently major challenges for IP video streaming. Synamedia’s ABR solution uses patented technology to optimize the perceived quality of live streams. It includes machine learning techniques to further adapt the encoding quality target to match content characteristics.   

    •        Foundation which manages and monetizes in-home experiences on a broad range of broadcast and hybrid-IP set top boxes (STBs) and media gateways including Android TV. Deployed by 40+ pay-TV operators, it offers a smooth migration path to Infinite and the cloud.  A prime example of the power of Foundation is a first-of-a-kind integration of the Netflix application on the OSN Network. This integration enables:

    o   Consumers to gain convenient access to OTT content via a single application;
    o   The OTT provider obtains access to the pay-TV service provider market and the existing billing/payment relationship between the customer and pay-TV provider;
    o   The pay-TV operator continues to bring value to consumers via a familiar application, and can generate additional revenues when new subscribers sign up for OTT via their platform.

    •    Infinite is a fully integrated cloud service platform for pay-TV operators to process, secure, distribute and monetize premium video experiences on all devices including those available via Foundation.  Infinite enables operators to take advantage of the cloud economy and re-capture subscriber share of wallet by offering products, such as Cloud DVR, that leverage new business models and OTT partnerships. It is designed to help operators attract new customers, reconnect cord cutters, and increase the life-time value of a subscriber base.  At CES, Synamedia will showcase a joint demo with Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ: AMZN), using Alexa technology integrated into Infinite in order to provide consumers with voice activated recommendations and content information.

    “More and more of the consumer’s share of the video wallet expands beyond traditional pay-TV, pointing operators to the enormous OTT opportunity. To protect and grow new revenue streams and boost their brand value, operators need to broaden and deepen existing subscriber engagement, and entice new audiences. To do so, the sometimes difficult first steps for many are to add integrated OTT services and avail offerings across all consumer devices, which can seem overwhelming. Our roadmap takes a step-by-step approach that makes it easy to extend operators’ existing offerings and avoid any disruption to subscribers,” said Yves Padrines, CEO of Synamedia.

    Synamedia will be in Chambertin 1 on the ground floor of the Wynn hotel.

    Synamedia’s voice recommendation technology will also be shown in the Amazon booth, Venetian Ballrooms C-D.