ITV

Category: Software

  • HBO’s Game of Thrones Ascent game comes on iPad before Season 4 debut

    HBO’s Game of Thrones Ascent game comes on iPad before Season 4 debut

    MUMBAI: The hugely popular HBO original series Game of Thrones is to premiere its Season 4 on 6 April, but Apple users will get to enjoy the official Game of Thrones Ascent game on their iPads much earlier.

    The game already has around 2.5 million players on Facebook and the web, and now is available as a free download in the App Store with new art, optimised imagery and game center leaderboards.

    “With Game of Thrones Ascent, fans can immerse themselves beyond the books and show and actually live the life of a noble during a time of upheaval within Westeros. Taking part in thousands of story-driven quests, players delve deeply into the lore and develop their own lands and reputation among the Great Houses,” stated a press release. “Players explore an expansive world filled with deep political and social play involving diplomatic agreements, pacts, marriages, and betrothals. Through Alliance challenges, players work with hundreds of others to accomplish great tasks and rise to the top of the Power Rankings.”

    The app will also be continually updated with new story lines and content from the show on each Monday following new episodes airing on TV.

    “Frequent updates with content matching new episodes on HBO; as each episode airs, see new quests each week and explore the show like never before! Create your story through Seasons One, Two, and Three, and create your own history in our unique Volume You!,” added the release.

    Game of Thrones Ascent is currently available on the App Store.

  • Music on the go for Idea Cellular subscribers

    Music on the go for Idea Cellular subscribers

    MUMBAI: Idea Cellular subscribers can now boast about unlimited access to music. The telecom service provider has launched Idea musicHUB, an offering that will add on the entertainment quotient of the subscribers.

     

    Idea musicHUB is an application which allows subscribers to download unlimited music to their devices, stream songs as per their preference and also create their own personalised playlists in their preferred language. The application will allow users to download unlimited music through fixed data packages.

     

    musicHUB will be advertisement free and will allow users to share songs via SMS, email and across all social networking platforms. The application is available to all Idea subscribers at nominal fee of Rs 29 for a week, Rs 49 for 15 days and Rs 99 for a month.

     

    “Mobile phones are increasingly becoming the first screen of many users across India. Idea Cellular caters to nearly 33 million data users across the length and breadth of the country and many of these users access the internet for entertainment purposes. Keeping this in mind, it has been our consistent effort to meet our users’ requirements through innovative entertainment offerings and services.  Idea musicHUB is another offering which is aimed at providing our subscribers the best in class entertainment experience at their fingertips. As consumption of entertainment on mobile phones increase we are hopeful that Idea musicHub will strike a chord with our customers,” said Idea Cellular chief marketing officer Sashi Shankar.  

  • Cartoon Network and Lego launch Mixels app

    Cartoon Network and Lego launch Mixels app

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network and Lego have released ‘Calling All Mixels’, a new iOS application based on the entertainment franchise Mixels, which is a collaboration between the two companies.

     

    ‘Calling All Mixels’ features a combination of exploration, combat and strategy. Players need to rescue captured Mixels while discovering new lands, collecting supplies and creating various mixes. They can complete more than 40 quests in three different locations. The game is currently available for purchase in the app store.

     

    Mixels takes place in a world inhabited by colorful creatures that have the ability to combine with one another. They are divided into different element-based tribes – the Infernites, the Cragsters, the Electroids and the trouble-making Nixels.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • Ross Video Appoints Yevgen Khovanskyi as Sales Director

    Ross Video Appoints Yevgen Khovanskyi as Sales Director

    MUMBAI: Ross Video is very pleased to announce that Yevgen Khovanskyi has joined the company as Sales Director for the Russian Federation. Yevgen joins Ross Video from Riedel Communications where he worked firstly as International Sales Manager for Russia, the CIS and Baltic states before helping to establish the company’s Moscow office and taking the role of Sales Director for Russia.  
     

    “Ross Video is a company that I’ve always admired,” notes Yevgen. “The company has enjoyed 23 straight years of incremental growth and that’s an incredible achievement given that it spans two recessions. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ross has the right product range and the right philosophy to become the number one player in live production in EMEA.”

     
    “We are really excited to welcome Yevgen to the Ross EMEA team,” comments David Dowling, Director of Sales for EMEA. “He’s a highly experienced sales professional with an enviable track record in the region. This appointment is our fourth new addition to the team in the last six months and, given our ambition for Ross in EMEA, I would expect to be making several similarly exciting announcements over the six months to come.”

  • 3Pillar Global expands leadership team in India

    3Pillar Global expands leadership team in India

    MUMBAI: 3Pillar Global, a leading developer of innovative software products for clients, has announced the appointment of Suresh Kabra as its VP and GM of India to lead the continued growth of the company’s delivery center.

     

    “We are thrilled to welcome Suresh to our growing team. He has an outstanding track record of entrepreneurship and product development and will serve as an extremely valuable asset to our operations in India,” said 3Pillar CEO David DeWolf. “His proven ability to lead high performance teams, along with driving new initiatives and building long-lasting customer relationships, compliments 3Pillar’s global growth strategy.”

     

    Kabra will be responsible for leading, guiding and mentoring the delivery teams while overseeing the day-to-day operations. Suresh will also be responsible for developing and increasing brand awareness and reputation in the Indian market, leading to increased traction in the market for 3Pillar and influencing the ability to recruit top talent.

     

    “I am excited to join the 3Pillar Global executive team at such an exciting time of growth for both the company and the software product development industry. I am looking forward to leveraging my experience to lead and grow the team in India,” said Kabra.

     

    Prior to joining 3Pillar, Kabra was the founder and CEO of clk2c.com, a start-up in the mobile video delivery space, which was acquired in early 2013. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, he served as assistant VP of Software Products Group at Aricent, Inc., where he directly managed several product line managers and product engineering teams in Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

     

    Kabra also served as VP, business development (APAC) for Conexant, Inc., where he helped the company to grow business manifolds in the Greater China region. He holds a BE from BITS, Pilani and MS from Concordia University, Montreal, and has done a certificate program in International Management from NUS-Stanford. Kabra is also a MIT Sloan Executive Program in General Management scholar. He also holds a Design Patent for Flexible Display Units, issued by The Patent Office, Govt. of India.