ITV

Category: Technology

  • Gaana.com introduces developer API program for music apps

    Gaana.com introduces developer API program for music apps

    NEW DELHI: Gaana.com, India’s largest online music broadcasting service with over 7.5 million unique visitors a month, is launching Gaana Developers’ Platform for budding entrepreneurs to develop innovative music apps. The apps will provide the consumers a more enriching music experience apart from generating revenue for the developers. Interested developers can visit developer.gaana.com for more information. 

     

    Gaana.com, a product of Times Internet (TIL), country’s largest digital network, will ensure that the developers need not worry about complex content licensing agreements or acquiring new users, as all of this will be handled by Gaana. 

     

    Via APIs, Gaana will offer developers access to its 3 million+ song catalog and its users. Developers who join the program will be highlighted on Gaana, giving direct exposure of its userbase to newly built applications. Gaana expects programmers to build innovative music apps that uses the platform’s catalog and technology, and believes that the platform will become the hub for innovation in online music apps, creating new ways for users to consume and discover their music experience. 

     

    Speaking about this, Pawan Agarwal, Head of Gaana, said, “Gaana is a dream platform for music lovers and we hope that app developers will also benefit immensely from the association with our brand.” 

     

    As a platform, along with access to APIs, Gaana will help promote new applications via custom campaigns and featured position on Gaana. The platform will also help these apps to be promoted on Social Media as well as the TIL network. These apps will be well integrated into the mobile apps of Gaana.

     

    Gaana has been privately developing the ecosystem with a few existing apps. Singalong, developed by Karaoke Garage, is a karaoke app, which has seen immense success on Gaana platform, and has helped Karaoke Garage reach more than 5 lakh visitors and more than 7.5 lakh song plays across multiple languages like Hindi, English, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali and Telugu.

  • Tech companies come together for better business practice

    Tech companies come together for better business practice

    MUMBAI: At a time when life has become dependent on technological equipments, it’s necessary to have a system that makes the movement on the tech industry smooth. That seemed to be on the minds of even the tech distribution companies because of which they came together to form The Technology Distribution Association of India (TDAI).

     

    The launch of the Association that was announced today has been done with in an aim to revolutionise the Indian technology-distribution industry. The Association’s motto is: “we can only build when we know how to sustain”. A first of its kind non- profit organisation in Asia Pacific & India, TDAI’s objective is to build a transparent and organised distribution services sector in India through risk mitigated best practices. While maintaining a strategic and healthy channel through good governance and appropriate compliance standards, from the manufacturer to the end user, TDAI will support the industry’s development and expansion while ensuring business hygiene.

     

    In the last two decades, India has seen tremendous strides in the use and adoption of Information Technology products both in the consumer as well as the commercial space. While the technology vendors have played a pre-eminent role in introducing the Indian customer to the immense benefits of their products and solutions, the widespread use of IT products and processes can, in a large measure, be attributed to the contribution of a huge distribution channel, which has facilitated easy availability through their reach, presence and financial commitment.

     

    The success of the distribution channel is equally accredited to all the stake holders in the supply chain: Vendors, Distributors and Dealers of IT products, services and solutions. With an aim to drive the industry’s next level of evolution through constructive dialogues amongst all stake holders, the leading Indian technology distributors have founded TDAI.

     

    The current members of TDAI collectively contribute nearly Rs 50,000 Crores (~ US$ 8 Billion) annually towards the total IT industry business in the country.

     

    TDAI will provide all industry stake holders a common ground for deliberating on regulatory issues that impact them, with a view to take those up with relevant authorities for resolution. It will act as a platform through which they could contribute inputs and information that would help shape the industry. TDAI will facilitate interaction with various Dealer Associations on common issues faced by the distribution eco-system as also a forum for discussion with Vendors on taking the channel business to its next stage of development. The initiatives of this Association will pave the way for fostering trust and goodwill amongst all stakeholders of the community.

     

    The current members of TDAI include: Avnet Technology Solutions, Compuage Infocom Limited, Inflow Technologies Private Limited, Ingram Micro India Limited, Iris Computers Limited, Neoteric Infomatique Limited, Rashi Peripherals Private Limited, Redington India Limited, Savex Computers Limited and Supertron Electronics Limited.

  • Parks Associates: TV related apps gaining in popularity

    Parks Associates: TV related apps gaining in popularity

    MUMBAI: New research from Parks Associates reveals that usage of TV apps is on the rise, with 55 per cent of US smartphone owners and 61 per cent of tablet owners using TV-related applications at least once a month.

     

    The firm expects the number of global TV-app users to reach 1.29 billion by 2019.

     

    More than 70 per cent of TV-app users are believed to be satisfied with the TV show or network apps they use, Parks Associates reports. More than 23 per cent of US smartphone owners ages 18 to 34 have used a TV app on their smartphone to schedule a DVR recording, while more than 22 per cent have used an app that transforms their smartphone into a remote control for their TV or set-top box.

     

    The company also states that TV app usage is altering the use cases for multiple connected devices; currently 57 per cent of connected game console owners are using the device to watch TV shows.

     

    It’s also seeing new revenue opportunities emerge through in-app solutions in the smart home and Internet of Things. And predicts in-app solutions to be a large focus of its 2014 Connections Conference, where its analysts and industry leaders will address the changes surrounding the connected home and implications for consumers and businesses.

  • Govt. to earn over Rs 61,600 crore from 2G Spectrum Auction

    Govt. to earn over Rs 61,600 crore from 2G Spectrum Auction

    NEW DELHI: The government is expected to earn about Rs 61,162 crore from the 2G spectrum auction that ended after 68 rounds of bidding over 10 days.

     

    Major telecom companies Airtel and Vodafone have bagged spectrum in the crucial 900 MHz band in important markets like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

     

    The government’s total revenue from the auction (which is provisional) is much higher than its initial estimate of about Rs 41,000 crore. The licences will be valid for a period of 20 years. The companies need to pay only a quarter to a third of the winning auction price upfront and the remainder by 2026.

     

    Telecom Secretary M F Farooqui said the government will get at least an estimated Rs 18,200 crore this fiscal, much higher than budget estimate of Rs 11,300 crore.

     

    With the government facing a huge budget deficit target for the current fiscal year ending in March amid a shortfall in tax collections and revenue receipts from divestment of stake in state companies, Finance Minister P Chidambaram will welcome the higher-than-expected revenues from the spectrum auction.

     

    Eight companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, and Reliance Industries, had applied to bid in the auction of 900 megahertz and 1800 megahertz band airwaves. The 900 megahertz band was auctioned only in three cities – Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

     

    The stakes were especially high for Vodafone and Bharti which use 900 Mhz. They had to join the auction after the Supreme Court refused to extend their licences, which expire in November 2014. Idea too won spectrum in the 900 MHz band in Delhi.

     

    The Mukesh Ambani-backed Reliance Jio bagged 1800 MHz band in 14 circles out of the 22 on offer. This will help the company to not only offer data but also voice services in these regions. Reliance Jio had earlier won the rights to offer 4G broadband services across the country.

     

    In the 1800 MHz band, Airtel won in 15 circles, Vodafone in 10 and Idea in 11.

     

    Bidding for the 900 MHz band in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata was very aggressive, with Vodafone and Bharti Airtel forced to protect their turf. In Delhi, the winning bid was Rs 741 crore as against the reserve price of Rs 360 crore; in Mumbai, the winning bid was Rs 563 crore, while the reserve price was Rs 328 crore, and in Kolkata, the winning bid was Rs 195 crore vs a reserve price of Rs 125 crore.

     

    Bids for the 900 Mhz band run into higher sums as it is considered better quality spectrum which requires lower investment for telecom companies to set up infrastructure. In comparison, the 1800 Mhz band requires higher capital expenditure.

     

    The 2G spectrum had to be auctioned afresh after the Supreme Court ordered in 2012 the cancellation of 122 licences issued in 2008 by then Telecom Minister A Raja. The Supreme Court held that the process used by him to allot licences was “illegal” and ordered a new auction. Auctions in November 2012 and March 2013 flopped as most bidders stayed away from the sales, complaining that the floor bid prices were too high.

     

    The eight bidders applied to participate in the current auction after the government sharply cut auction reserve prices.

  • Prime Focus Q3 PAT Rs 10.33 crore vs loss a year ago

    Prime Focus Q3 PAT Rs 10.33 crore vs loss a year ago

    BENGALURU: Indian visual effect and 3-D conversion company Prime Focus Limited has reported consolidated net profit of Rs 10.33 crore in the third quarter ended 31 December, 2013 against a loss of Rs 63.27 crore a year ago.

     

    The consolidated net profit in the third quarter was, however, less than half of Rs 21.34 crore a quarter earlier. The company had a foreign exchange gain of Rs 20.37 crore (95.4 per cent of net profit) in the second quarter of 2013-14, against foreign exchange gain of Rs 3.80 crore in the third quarter.

     

    In the nine months ended 31 December, 2013, Prime Focus reported exchange gain of Rs 38.23 crore, nearly four times Rs 9.76 crore gain a year ago. For 2012-13, the company had a foreign exchange gain of Rs 6.75 crore. 

     

    Let us look at the other Q3-2014 figures reported by Prime Focus

     

    Prime Focus reported 18.3 per cent rise in Income from operations to Rs 213.68 crore in Q3-2014 from Rs 180.68 crore in the same quarter of FY 2013 and was 9 per cent more than the Rs 196.06 crore during Q2-2014. YTD, its Income from operations at Rs 598.20 crore was 5.8 per cent more than the Rs 565.27 crore of the nine month periods of last year. For FY 2013, Prime Focus had reported Income from operations of Rs 762.16 crore. 

     

    Total expenditure at Rs 194.09 crore for Q3-2014 was 11.5 per cent more than the Rs 180.81 crore for Q3-2013, and 8.2 per cent more than the Rs 179.42 crore for the immediate trailing quarter Q2-2014. YTD, Prime Focus reported Total expenditure of Rs 541.73 crore , which was 5.75 per cent more than the Rs 512.26 crore  during the corresponding nine month period of FY 2013. The company reported Total expense of Rs 686.76 crore in FY 2013. 

     

    Personnel cost for Q3-2014 at Rs 89.38 crore was 14.6 per cent more than the Rs 78.02 crore  for the corresponding quarter of last year (Q3-2013) and 11.9 per cent more than the Rs 79.85 crore  for Q2-2014. 

     

    The company paid Rs 15.61 crore towards technician fee for Q3-2014, 7.4 per cent more than the Rs 14.53 crore a year ago, and (1.8) per cent lower than the Rs 15.89 crore for Q2-2014. 

     

    Depreciation and amortisation cost for Q3-2014 at Rs 25.17 crore was 10.6 per cent higher than the Rs 22.75 crore y-o-y but (11.5) per cent lower than the Rs 28.44 crore for Q2-2014. 

     

    Other expenditure for Q4-2014 at Rs 63.80 crore was 8.7 per cent more than the Rs 58.68 crore y-o-y and 15.5 per cent more than the Rs 55.25 crore q-o-q. 

     

    Prime Focus paid Rs 16.28 crore towards finance costs for Q3-2014, 32.5 per cent more than the Rs 12.29 crore for Q3-2013 and 46.8 per cent more than the Rs 11.09 crore for the trailing quarter (Q2-2014).

     

    Click here for release

     

    Click here for financials

  • ISE attracts record attendance and looks forward to largest-ever show in 2015

    ISE attracts record attendance and looks forward to largest-ever show in 2015

    MUMBAI: After attracting more than 50,000 registered attendees for the first time in its history from 4–6 February, Integrated Systems Europe has further cemented its reputation as the world’s most popular event for professional AV and electronic systems integration. The final total attendance of 51,003 surpassed even the organisers’ own most optimistic expectations, with Europe’s recovering economies and a record 952 exhibitors helping to fuel attendee growth of 15% over last year’s figure of 44,151.

    Also acting as key draws to the event were an enlarged Professional Development programme including off-floor training sessions hosted by ISE’s co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International, with both associations also contributing seminars to the event’s new on-floor Theatres dedicated to Residential and Commercial Solutions. Between them these sessions attracted over 2,400 people, with InfoComm experiencing an almost three-fold increase in its education traffic over 2013 after offering free session vouchers to every 2014 attendee.

    ISE 2014’s pre-show events programme included the third edition of the Smart Building Conference, the all-new Investor Showcase and Audio Forum, and an Opening Keynote Address, ‘Kick-Starting the Market for Building Automation’, by Cisco’s Dr Dirk Schlesinger. Between them these events attracted a further 1,000 attendees, with hundreds more also signing up for partner events during the show such as the SVGE’s Sport Facility Integration Summit, digital-signage market briefings and tours from Invidis Consulting and the Themed Entertainment Association tour.

    Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events, says: “Our big theme this year was content, and we believe we have delivered on our promise to enhance our event – and attract more attendees – by offering a combination of technical training, market intelligence, real-world case studies and networking opportunities that is unmatched by any comparable event in Europe.”

    While the show’s attendance continues to rise impressively, there has been no dilution in the spending power of ISE’s visitors if the show’s exhibitor rebooking trend is anything to go by. By the time the doors closed on Thursday 6 February, on-site rebooking for ISE 2015 stood at 33,450 net square metres, compared with the 2014 show’s total net footprint of 36,035. The rebooking figure is 10% higher than the equivalent a year ago.

    “By all standards of measurement, ISE 2014 was extraordinarily successful,” comments David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. “It was a great way to kick off the industry calendar, and a spectacular way to begin InfoComm International’s 75th year. What started out as a small show in Geneva 11 years ago has blossomed into a truly thriving event. That first ISE was an important early step in our association’s journey beyond its US borders, but would be largely unrecognisable to this year’s ISE attendees.”

    “ISE 2014 was phenomenal in every respect,” echoes Wendy Griffiths, Executive Director, CEDIA Region 1. “This year’s event demonstrated outstanding international growth and CEDIA benefited hugely from this success. More CI companies became CEDIA members at the show than ever before, every CEDIA session in the new ISE Residential Solutions Theatre was jam-packed and CEDIA training courses available off the show floor were also well-attended.”

    The next Integrated Systems Europe will take place at the Amsterdam RAI from 10–12 February 2015.

    Ends

     

    Click here to download a selection of high-resolution images from ISE 2014.

    Additional information is available from: Dan Goldstein, ISE Director of Marketing & Communications, dgoldstein@iseurope.org

     

    About CEDIA: CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. CEDIA Members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. For more information on CEDIA, visit: www.cedia.org or www.cedia.co.uk.

     

    About InfoComm International®: InfoComm International® is the international trade association of the professional audiovisual and information communications industries. Established in 1939, InfoComm has 5,000 members, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, independent consultants, programmers, rental and staging companies, end-users and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. InfoComm International is the leading resource for AV market research and news. Its training and education programs set a standard of excellence for AV professionals. InfoComm International is the founder of InfoComm, the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide. InfoComm also produces trade shows in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. Additional information is available at www.infocomm.org.
     

  • Zenga partners with FOODFOOD to launch its app

    Zenga partners with FOODFOOD to launch its app

    MUMBAI: Food and Lifestyle channel FOODFOOD and ZengaTV, India’s largest Digital video and mobile TV platform announce an exclusive strategic partnership for their TV channel by a newly launched mobile app. With this partnership, FOODFOOD content, both live and VOD, is now available free to mobile phone and web users globally, on Zenga TV’s superior, seamless, non-buffering mobile & Web TV service.

     

    The innovative FOODFOOD mobile app not only gives users the opportunity to watch delicious dishes being prepared live on television but also prepare them at home. The app contains recipes of all the shows from the TV channel and website. The app also contains video recipes from the chefs and stars of FOODFOOD, as well as simple tips and advice.

     

    Zenga TV CEO Abhishek Joshi said, “In India’s fast growing and competitive market, there is an ardent need for new technologies that help in engaging customers. We focus our research and developments in the mobile space to enable companies enhance their efficiency, audience engagement and customer satisfaction. With the FOODFOOD app, Zenga goes one step ahead in ensuring that we continue showcasing content which is unique and relevant for our viewers. This partnership will ensure that the viewers can now continue to watch and access the channel, even while on the move. We will continue to build such apps which will give ‘real’ benefits to the customers & viewers.”

     

    S K Barua from FOOD FOOD said, “We at FOODFOOD India are infusing cutting edge technology into our products and services, which has been our single minded focus. This innovative app is yet another pioneering achievement. With this strategic partnership we are delighted that with the app we can showcase all our shows and Video on Demand with intelligent features, including access of live TV. We received overwhelming feedback to our efforts to make FOODFOOD an online brand. The app will help us reach a larger audience through tablet and mobile phone customers who trust the FOODFOOD brand, but want a solution that caters to their lifestyle on the move.”

     

    The application is available for all iOS, Windows and Android mobile and Tab users. Fans can download this free of cost from iTunes App Store for iPhone/ iPad and Google Play for Android users and Windows store for Windows users. 

  • ISE Theatres a resounding success

    ISE Theatres a resounding success

    AMSTERDAM: New for ISE 2014, the Residential Solutions Theatre and Commercial Solutions Theatre have proven to be a big draw for visitors. Covering a range of topics, including audio connectivity, collaborative technology and home automation, the free-to-attend sessions have been well received throughout the show.

     

    Lighting design was a hot topic in the Residential Solutions Theatre with independent lighting designer Tad Trylski declaring: “There is a lighting design-shaped hole in current AV systems training.

     

    “There is a lot of expertise in controlling the light, but the gap exists in the lighting design skills themselves and/or how to work with lighting designers,” he added, during ‘The Science of Lighting Designers’.

     

    Trylski is currently working with CEDIA on potential courses, and advises that to best use light, and make huge efficiency gains: “The qualitative design must come first. Where and when do you want the light, and what do you want to use it for?”

     

    The biggest mistake engineers make is to work to the plan (rather than a section), and simply place lots of downlighters lighting the floor. Instead, they should light the walls (giving more perceived light with fewer lights) and specific tasks.

     

    He gave an example of a typical developers one-bedroom apartment, where using lots of 50W downlighters used 1,200W (with other lights adding more than 600W), whereas a using a lot of linear LEDs, floor mounted wall washers, and by putting lighting close to the task, cut the total energy use to just 632W. “It’s slightly more difficult to install, but the savings are phenomenal and it looks a lot better,” he told visitors.

     

    Over in the Commercial Solutions Theatre, InfoComm sustainability officer Allen Weidman stated that Smart Buildings are a market waiting to happen. They will be a great opportunity for integrators “to add value and claim the space. It’s there for the taking” as no one else has made it their own, he added.

     

    The biggest problem is the lack of standards or best practice for Smart Buildings Technology (SBT). “We don’t even have an accepted definition for SBT,” he said. “We really need open source in this area,” pointing to the Raspberry Pi-based Ninja Blocks project for home automation.

     

    The market could be huge. China has just started replacing 76 million analogue electricity meters with smart meters, while the US already has 46 million smart meters (40% of households) installed, and it is calculated that SBT could save $20-25 billion in the US alone each year.

     

    Google just spent $3.2 billion on Nest, which makes smart thermostats, smoke detectors and door openers, showing that “data will be the business driver,” he said. “Sensors are the key to the future for everything, to which smartphones will be connected.”

     

    Sessions continue in the theatres today, opening at 11:00 with Keith Yates discussing ‘Using science to solve the low frequency problem in media rooms and home theatres’ in the Residential Solutions Theatre, and ‘DreamHack: the technology behind a major eSports tournament’ with Jonas Bengston of DreamHack in the Commercial Solutions Theatre.

  • Exset bv promotes Andrew Pons as global director of sales and marketing

    Exset bv promotes Andrew Pons as global director of sales and marketing

    MUMBAI: Netherlands-based Exset BV pioneer of pay-TV ecosystems for emerging markets and a leading provider of CAS, middleware and VAS solutions has announced the promotion of Andrew Pons to the post of Global Director of Sales and Marketing. . Mr. Pons will be based out of London and will be reporting to CEO’s office in Netherlands

     

    Andrew Pons has been with Exset for nearly two years and witnessed the company getting itself established with its ground-breaking Digital Monetization System (DMS) across emerging markets. His new role will help push the Company across its next growth phase as its DMS and CAS solutions continue to be deployed across Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and Eastern Europe.

     

    “We’re delighted that Andrew has been promoted to this new role within our team. With his wealth of experience across the markets Exset operates in, we are sure that he is the right person to help drive Exset forward , ” said Mr. Alex Borland, Chief Executive Officer, Exset BV.

     

    “Being appointed as a Global Director of Sales and Marketing is a great opportunity for me. Exset is a dynamically thinking company with its unique and award winning solution – DMS. Exset is already active in India and across Africa with 2014 looking very exciting for us. I am sure that I will add more success stories across the geographies we are working in”, said Andrew Pons, Global Director of Sales and Marketing, Exset BV.

     

    Mr. Pons has many years’ experience in the television business and previously he was working as Director of International Marketing with Pace. He has also worked as   Director of Sales and Marketing at SysMedia &  Electronic Farm and Sales Director at Harris.

  • Entropic appoints Tanmay Jha to expand its India biz

    Entropic appoints Tanmay Jha to expand its India biz

    MUMBAI: Entropic, a semiconductor solutions for connected homes is looking at expanding its base in India. Thus, the company has announced the appointment of Tanmay Jha as its associate director for sales for India.

     

    Prior to joining Entropic, Jha was working with Pace-India. In his new role, he will focus on growing Entropic’s set-top box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) and connectivity businesses in the Indian sub-continent. Jha will be based in New Delhi and will report to EMEA and India VP sales Noel McKenna.

     

    “I am happy to be a part of Entropic. My immediate role will be to push Entropic’s suite of system-on-chip, broadband access and channel stacking switch solutions to the cable and satellite operators across the country,” said Jha.

     

    Jha joins Entropic with 20-years of Pay-TV sales experience. He was with Pace – India for two years as an integral STB sales team member. Earlier, Jha has also worked with a number of leading Indian Pay-TV companies including the IPTV, Myway, as well as with Zee Turner, Sahara TV, Tata Communication and Sify.

     

    “We welcome Tanmay to Entropic’s dynamic sales team – where we are focused on developing new business and growing sales in the Indian sub-continent market,” said McKenna. “He brings a depth in knowledge and local market expertise to help increase Entropic’s regional presence as the only pure-play platform semiconductor supplier in connected home entertainment,” he added.