Sky turns Tablets into remote controls

BSkyB, Sky TV's parent company, has invested in tech startup Zeebox - and that means tablets are about to become more useful for Sky TV customers. The deal gives BSkyB exclusive rights to use Zeebox's technology in its own apps, starting with the Sky+ app for remote recording. The deal's an important one: Zeebox cites research that says almost one-third of British internet use happens while we're also watching TV, with more than half of viewers using laptops or tablets while watching programmes.

Zeebox's technology does two key things: it integrates social media, so you can chat with friends or tweet about the programme you're watching, and if it knows what you're watching it displays interesting links about the programme in what it calls "zeetags". You can use it to grab a look at what your friends are watching, discover more about the people, places and things you're watching, and you can even use it to control your TV if you've got an internet-enabled set. It also integrates with various shops so that you can buy things related to the programme - the book the presenter is talking about, the film being reviewed or the music being played on the soundtrack.

Zeebox describes itself as "the best thing to happen to TV since TV", and it's attracted legions of fans already - but don't worry if you're not a Sky customer: the stand-alone iPad app and the browser-based web application will continue to be available for free.



Posted on 20 January 2012.
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Category: Tablets