ITV

Category: Technology

  • PICT faculty learn to develop mobile apps using android

    PICT faculty learn to develop mobile apps using android

    NEW DELHI: It was a time for the teachers to learn few lessons when Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT) hosted a one-of-its-kind Faculty Development workshop on “Mobile Application Development using Android:A Next generation platform”.

    The 12-day program, supported by AICTE, started on 2 December and concluded on 13 December, 2013 at PICT College. Faculty from various AICTE approved Engineering/DiplomaInstitutions/Industries/other Institutes present in Pune, Amravati, Nagpur, Sangamner, Aurangabad, Karaad & Raichur participated in the workshop.

    The workshop provided insight into the Android application development platform covering the environment concepts and hands on experience on Android Software Development Kit. Experts from industries and research institute including faculty experts of PICT and other institutes conducted the sessions. The program provided a platform to the faculty members to explore product developments, identify problems in the area of mobile platforms like user interface, basic building blocks, media and web home-screen widget, broadcast receivers, sensors, accelerometer, GPS, NFC, animation and 2D graphics in Androids.

    Major topics covered in the session were concepts of open source operating systems, open source developments on mobile platforms, Android platform architecture, Android application design essentials, developing android applications, research topics in Android platforms, hands on experience on applied research, algorithms, hi-performance computing using android, service oriented architecture and its implementation for the Linux kernel, concepts of open source operating systems, open source developments on mobile, platforms and Android platform.

    Sixty faculty members participated and developed 18 mobile applications under the guidance of the industry experts. Among these, PICT facilitated top three apps on the closing ceremony on 13 December. Winner of the Android application workshop was ‘Note Writer’ app, second runner up was the food application app ‘Ruchira’ and the third runners up were ‘PayCal’ app and ‘Pressure Unit Converter’ app.

    The Faculty Development Program will help various institutes and the faculty to keep pace with syllabus updates and preparing students to meet the industry challenges in the domain of Mobile Operating System. 

  • Biscoot releases RDB feat T-PAIN Daddy Da Cash

    Biscoot releases RDB feat T-PAIN Daddy Da Cash

    MUMBAI: Biscoot, an offline app store, is now ready with another massive launch for the Punjab market. Biscoot has released the single by RDB ‘Daddy Da Cash’ featuring Grammy award singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor, T-Pain.

    The song is the first music single in India to be sold as an app at Biscoot retail stores across the country at price of Rs 30. Shotformats Digital Works gained exclusive rights for the offline and online distribution of the single. The single will be available across Biscoot retail stores in the form of Apps and on biscoot.com for online listeners.

    Speaking on this, Shotformats Digital Works MD & CEO Niyati Shah states, “RDB is cutting edge, as a band they are innovative not only with music but also in terms of marketing and release of their album. Shotformats being an innovator loves to work with innovators and therefore I am totally excited about our association with RDB.”

  • TimesCity launches new app for Android, iOS platforms

    TimesCity launches new app for Android, iOS platforms

    MUMBAI: Timescity.com, a lifestyle portal of Times Internet, has launched a whole new experience around its iPhone and Android Apps. It enables consumers to discover the best restaurants, movies, events, and nightlife in their city. It’s a quick, easy and smart location-based app with the most relevant and updated information on what’s happening in your city.

    The app features listings and recommendations based on location, type of event, and must-try and must-do things in and around the location of the users. The users can search and filter based on their preference of distance, ratings and price. It covers almost everything that comes under entertainment – new taste, flick, gig, or anything else.

    The app is available for download on the Google Play store, Apple Appstore (iOS) and Blackberry World.

  • Spotify plans free mobile version of its service

    Spotify plans free mobile version of its service

    MUMBAI: Spotify AB is planning a free, ad-supported version of its streaming-music service on mobile devices, according to reports doing rounds, after previously making mobile users pay a monthly fee.

    The Sweden-based music company has reached licensing deals with all three of the global music companies to use its recordings on the new service. Until now, a free version of Spotify was available only on desktop and laptop computers.

    Spotify, which has six million paying subscribers and 20 million active users world-wide, has negotiated with three major record companies – Sony Corp.’s Sony Music Entertainment, Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group and Access Industries’ Warner Music Group – over the rates it will pay them to play songs on the free mobile service, and over how much direct control users have over what they listen to, reports claimed.

    The new ad-supported offering will allow nonpaying mobile users to play a limited number of songs on demand, but will mostly serve up music based on the user’s input, much like custom radio services such as Pandora Media.

    Spotify launched its own custom radio feature last year. Spotify’s premium service, which costs $10 a month, delivers unlimited, on-demand music from its 20 million-song catalog on any device. Until now, free users have been able to play music on demand, with ads, on their computers – but they can’t use the service from their mobile phones or tablets, unless they enter their credit-card information to sign up for the 30-day premium-service trial.

  • Gully Premiere League launches phone app in season three

    Gully Premiere League launches phone app in season three

    MUMBAI: The third edition of Radio City 91.1 FM’s Gully Premiere League has decided to tap the digital space by including Facebook and mobile apps for its promotion this time. It has introduced a new app called ‘Online Cricket League’ on Facebook that will ensure that listeners across the country can be a part of this month long cricket tournament.

    Listeners can build their online team and compete against other teams on Radio City’s Facebook page. Radio City COO and president Ashit Kukian said in a release, “The third season of GPL will take the property a notch higher. With the introduction of ‘Online Cricket’ this season, we plan to engage the listeners not just on-ground but on the digital platform too.”

    The tournament that started last week is spread over a month tapping all the ‘gullies’ of the country for a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. Winners will also get an opportunity to get professional cricket training by a well known cricket personality. About 40000 teams have registered for the tournament in the last season.

  • Aircel Chennai Open 2014 launches exclusive mobile app

    Aircel Chennai Open 2014 launches exclusive mobile app

    MUMBAI: Tennis enthusiasts who pursue matches and scores ball by ball can rest assured that they can catch all the action from the Aircel Chennai Open 2014 at the touch of a button. The 19th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open is all set to charm fans as it takes advantage of the latest mobile technology and goes hi-tech. The organisers of the tournament have announced the launch of an exclusive new mobile application for fans. India and South Asia’s Premier ATP World Tour tennis event, scheduled to be held at Chennai’s SDAT Stadium from 30 December 2013 to 5 January 2014.

    Commenting about the partnership, IMG Reliance COO Ashu Jindal said, “The Aircel Chennai Open has always believed in presenting fans with new ways to follow, enjoy and connect with the tournament. We are glad to be taking advantage of the mobile revolution and launch this exciting application for Aircel Chennai Open 2014. Tennis fans across the world can now follow their favourite stars and their matches ball by ball. The application was a huge success last year and we are confident this year will be even better.”

    Launched in partnership with leading mobile consulting and development firm Hakuna Matata Solutions the app will give users an opportunity to enjoy all the action as it happens in Chennai. Live matches, scores, draws, players list, and the latest tournament news will now be available on the go.

    Hakuna Matata Solutions director Gengarajan said, “Aircel Chennai Open is yet another feather on our vivid hat. It is indeed a happy moment for all of us in pronouncing Aircel Chennai Open into the hands of sport enthusiasts. We are the generation that has witnessed the transformation from Desktop to Mobile in visible terms and we found this pulse at the right time and we made sure that you’re not in anyway disappointed to track and feel every moment of sweat the players going to invest to achieve a trophy!”  

     The android, iphone and windows compatible application can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play Stores.

    The 19th edition of Aircel Chennai Open has one of the strongest playing fields ever featuring an impressive line-up of tennis players including top 20 players Stanislas Wawrinka, Mikhail Youzhny, Fabio Fognini and defending champion Janko Tipsarevic among others. Both Indian and international participants will compete for the coveted title.

    The title sponsor for the tournament is Aircel and the event is supported by a consortium of sponsors in the Platinum and Gold category.

  • Gaian launches Maya Platform for enhanced programming content delivery

    Gaian launches Maya Platform for enhanced programming content delivery

    NEW DELHI: The satellite broadcasters may have a reason to rejoice. Gaian Solutions India, a leading Technology and Consulting company that develops products and solutions for the Media and Entertainment industry, has launched its Maya Platform.

     

    The technology offers exciting real time localised cloud content services thus offering powerful tools to enhance Broadcasters programming content. Maya has the potential to change Satellite Broadcasters revenues by orders of magnitude. It also offers innovative solutions to free-to-air (FTA) broadcasters.

     

    1. Maya’s localisation technology integrates internet feeds and cloud content delivery mechanisms right into the uplink broadcast eliminating the need for internet connectivity at the edge devices. This liberates broadcasters from any kind of ecosystem challenges in commercialising localised data services.

     

    2. Maya is platform agnostic ensuring seamless localisation across all delivery channels be it a satellite broadcast or an OTT platform.

     

    3. Maya’s IRD integrates cloud and satellite reception into one device.

     

    4. The full HD IRD player and streamer ensures savings on broadcasters HD migration budgets.

     

    5. It offers a full featured Back Office and Self-Care portal to automate the work flow of sourcing, delivery, approval, distribution, proof of play and billing of local advertisements

     

    6. Maya allows broadcasters to report breaking news, latest events and trending topics, as they happen on Social Media platforms

     

    Gaian Solutions President and CEO Chandra Kotaru said, “From the outset we have set the bar for technological innovation in digital TV, achieving an unrivalled array of industry firsts. As our knowledge and expertise has grown, so the technology we use has been renewed and redefined. And that process continues today, with rapid changes in the way TV is broadcast, enjoyed and combined with other services.”

  • Universal Music releases first-ever digital box set app

    Universal Music releases first-ever digital box set app

    MUMBAI: Universal Music Catalogue is hailing the release this week of ‘the world’s first-ever digital box set’ available on tablets and smartphones – a special 2013 edition of The Who’s 1969 album, Tommy.

     

    UMC has collaborated with developers MODO to produce a brand new iPad digital box set application, to complement the recently-released deluxe and super deluxe editions of Tommy.

     

    Users can download the app for free. If they already have Tommy in their iTunes music collection they can play the full tracks on tablet devices along with the visuals and extra features that accompany the super deluxe set. If not, they can play 90-second edited previews through iTunes and buy them directly.

     

    The digital box set also includes: a built-in music player (functional whilst reading the book and exploring the photos). The video section includes five tracks streamed into the app taken from The Who’s Live At The Coliseum ’69 show; a specially-developed Pinball Game – created using the NYC Metropolitan Opera House gig of 1970 poster image that encourages users to play and post their scores as well as links to the official Who site, official store and social channels.

     

    Universal Music Group International digital head Geoff Smith said: “The Tommy digital box set transforms the beautiful physical box edition into a unique and fully-immersive experience allowing fans of all ages across the world to access and explore this seminal album in a fully interactive way.”

     

    News of Android and Windows 8 versions of the app will be announced in due course.

  • Virgin TV anywhere launches on Android devices

    Virgin TV anywhere launches on Android devices

    MUMBAI: Virgin TV Anywhere recently launched a native app for Android tablets and smartphones.

     

    The application allows Virgin Media TiVo customers to programme on the move, with 67 channels available on mobile devices.

    To coincide with its Android launch, Virgin TV Anywhere has added nine new channels to its roster – Alibi, Dave, Drama, Good Food, Home, Really, Watch, Yesterday and CBS Reality.

     

    “With the arrival of these fantastic new channels, Virgin TV Anywhere is undoubtedly the market-leading service for those who want to take the best of their home entertainment with them to watch wherever they are at no extra cost,’ said Virgin Media director Scott Kewley in a report.

     

    The web-based version of Virgin TV Anywhere provides access to 90 channels, including BT Sport, ITV, Channel 5 and CBS Reality Premier Sport.

     

    Virgin TV Anywhere, which was previously released for iOS devices, is available to download from Google Play now.

  • Are Android STBs a step too far for India?

    Are Android STBs a step too far for India?

    MUMBAI: Even as the cable and television industry prepares to take on digitisation, there’s another advanced technology which has arrived rather quietly on Indian shores.

     

    We’re talking Android set top boxes (STBs) from Willett STB Technologies which are in the market since sometime last month. These hybrid STBs carry all the applications available on the Android Play Store and allow customers to switch seamlessly between television and the internet. Given the recent buzz about Google bringing YouTube on TV, such a technology may just be what the doctor ordered. However, for a variety of reasons, the Android STBs don’t seem to be finding enough traction in the industry.

     

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Willett STB Technologies director Deepak Wadhwa refuted the MSOs’ claim that STBs are not upgraded to carry YouTube as a Video-on-demand (VoD) service on television. “The STBs come in different models and frankly, we are ready with the technology. The Android box is the answer to this new development.”

     

    However, Wadhwa was quick to point out that the problem lies in MSOs’ unwillingness to accept the technology. “The MSOs are not ready to promote the boxes. Even though we are ready with the upgraded technology, there are deployment issues,” he said.

     

    So what was keeping MSOs from adopting the new technology? A major reason, according to Wadhwa, was the cost, where each Android STB carried a price tag of Rs 4,000. Additionally, customers would have to pay for video services.

     

    The Willett Android 4.2 STB is a hybrid box, with both Android and DVBC features. “The box allows customers to switch between Android play store and TV channels. It also converts a normal TV to a smart TV,” informed Wadhwa.

     

    Elaborating on the cost factor, he said: “The MSOs are already tied up with MPEG2 boxes. Also in smaller cities, where people are used to viewing TV at Rs 75 to Rs 100, they are opposing STBs which cost Rs 1000, so accepting the Android boxes seems a far thing to imagine.”

     

    Meanwhile, an MSO defended cable operators’ stance saying: “These OTT boxes don’t give us revenue which goes to the service provider instead. So why should we use them?”

     

    Media consultant Sanjeev Hiremath opined: “As far as the cable industry is concerned, technology gets adapted step-by-step. No one is ready to take two steps at a time. Obviously, the advantage of the Android box is that you can incorporate the experience of OTT service also in that. So then you can avoid cable and can directly take a broadband connection and experience both TV and the world of internet. If customers are not ready to pay Rs 1000-2000 for normal STBs, of course they will not buy these at double the rate.”
    Maybe, India needs to work towards faster adoption of new technologies just as it has in developing them…