The world of television is definitely making a new renovation and is being changed as we speak. Ubuntu has decided to jump in the game with their introduction called Ubuntu TV. As you may know Google , Apple, Boxee, Roku and Samsung are already doing innovative things in the Web TV area. The trend that I am starting to notice is that everyone is racing to create a new product that can be considered innovative and a fore runner in Interactive Television. I think it’s beginning to take shape yet the space is so new that no one knows what to expect in the upcoming months. I am keeping a heavy and close eye to some of the new products that are surfacing at the International CES. As a Junior User Experience Designer, I am getting a lot of emails from recruiters from the forums and groups online asking for someone who can help with TV Interfaces and Web Applications. I also notice that professionals are getting hired by companies to give their products unique defined experiences for their end users. Whitney Hess, a UX Designer showed a project made for Boxee in which she walks you through her process for developing the User Interface by interviewing their demographic which was current users and possible new users. On another note Boxee has released Boxee Live watch this interview by John P of GeekBeat.tv
The race for online video and television is starting to heat up and become interesting to watch from a UI/UX approach. Youtube is preparing by having changes to their interface and spent about $100 million on niche channels. I am heavily interested in this field and saw a few keynotes in the International CES that caught my attention quite heavily. I am going to list a few below that I found unique and engaging for conversation:
1.) Microsoft and Sesame Street actually Kinect
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Microsoft’s Jaymi Bauer, senior director of product marketing for the Xbox division and her friend Ainsely toss coconuts with Grover to demonstrate how Xbox 360 is reinventing TV with Kinect Sesame Street TV, will be coming later this year. This approach to interactive educational learning is quite innovative, the attempt to get children to engage the puppets really brings another realm in engagement. I really love that if one doesn’t interact the plot is pushed along with outside content just like any other show. I find room for improvement and really would like to experiment with such technology in my career!
2.) Panasonic and Justin Timberlake’s New MySpace
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Myspace was once a top contender in the social networking space a few years back. It had the power to allow you to design your own place and highlight your top friends the best 8 which created a unique buzz. Myspace was the voice for everyone and anyone who valued connection, voice, and socializing. Facebook walked on to the scene about the same time and had a educational flair about it’s presence. Myspace did it’s best to compete but once Facebook went public the trends started to shift, along with business innovation this marked the fall of Myspace. Although music, entertainment, and celebrities have a huge presence on the social network their value has stayed with artists and entertainment. Fast forward to the present day and mix in Panasonic and Justin Timberlake. Myspace TV was introduced at this years CES and it should be a unique year for the social network!! Do I smell a sleeping giant making a comeback??
3.) Samsung gets SMART
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The sleeping giant in my opinion is Samsung with their SmartTV. The introduction to a television that can read your voice, facial recognition, and movement is going to bring some innovation to the television scene. I really like some of the features that they are bringing with this television set. The television will have a web browser, search and a load of unique applications with it. I really think the combination of their smart hub will be a difference maker in the smart television sets. Their app store is very small but has potential, it’s going to be interesting how things develop for all three of these technologies.
IN CONCLUSION
I am giddy with excitement because my dream is starting to come true when the web and video combine for a unique experience! I love the web and I adore video as a expressive medium for viewing and engagement. The one thing that I am interested in is what this means for podcasting and what we shall see for the individuals who produce their own online shows for their audience. I would love to see these platforms fighting for professional shows, but my main hope is that they realize independent podcasting shows are quite critical to their growth as a whole. I know that, and I am preparing for this transition. I look forward to all of your comments on the topic and hope your filming, editing and preparing for the shift in Television!!
