Michael's Insight

Moving toward a tru2way applications store

A Tru2way App Store? [The Bauminator]

Apple has developed a model in iTunes that many other closed and open garden platforms are looking to emulate in the form of an application store portal. With the cable industry's interactive cable platform - tru2way - the possibility of creating a large community of application developers and an easy-to-use portal for cable customers to preview and purchase applications is the "ultimate scenario," as this article puts it.

CableLabs, the cable industry's research and development consortium, is working to release a reference implementation and software development kit (SDK) for tru2way around the middle of next month. The SDK, which will run on a computer, will allow developers to begin writing tru2way applications without a bunch of expensive cable equipment. But, we're still not quite there yet for a tru2way apps store. One of the things that's been holding the industry back is a lack of true cross-compatibility of tru2way code among a variety of tru2way ready cable boxes. That's where the reference implementation comes in.  It solves the critical issue of assuring that writing one copy of an application will run on any tru2way cable box.

As cable operators continue to roll out tru2way ready boxes, its likely that many companies will deploy Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) interactivity first. EBIF is a platform that's more widely supported across currently deployed set-tops. It's not quite as powerful a platform as tru2way, but offers limited interactivity.

Convergence is pushing video into the interactive realm of the Internet. And while we're not quite there yet, it won't be long before cable television makes the move toward true interactivity with tru2way applications.

Adobe Flash platform coming to television screens

Adobe Flash platform for HDTVs & connected devices on display at NAB [EngadgetHD]

Adobe Flash, the platform that many web sites use to power applications like streaming video, is coming soon to a television screen near you. Adobe and a list of partners that include Comcast announced that the Flash platform is being readied to run on a variety of broadband connected home theater components including HDTVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes. Adobe looks to bring the media-rich applications that Flash has become known for on the web to a variety of devices.

With the advent of broadband connected televisions, Flash has the potential to provide users with widgetized applications like news and weather directly from the TV screen. Some of the partners in the Adobe announcement are content providers, like the New York Times Company and Disney Interactive, which could provide content for Flash applications on the TV. With cable operators working to bring interactivity to the television screen via the tru2way standard, it will be interesting to watch a software developer's attempt to create TV interactivity by porting a popular computer platform to the television.

FCC Chairman Copps looks to adopt a fifth nondiscrimination principle

Copps Wants FCC To Adopt Fifth Non-Discrimination Internet Principle [Multichannel News]

Friday marked the final day of 2009's Cable Show. The Friday public policy luncheon at The Cable Show's featured current FCC chairman Michael Copps. Copps announced to the luncheon's audience support for a fifth nondiscrimination principle for the FCC's four current Internet openness principles and support for making the fifth principle enforceable by the FCC. Net neutrality has been a controversial subject for the FCC, which found cable operator Comcast in violation of the Internet openness principles last year in a case that involved network management of peer-to-peer traffic.

Chairman Copps indicated that notwithstanding his support for an additional nondiscrimination principal, he believed that the adoption process would be best served by waiting until FCC Chairman-designate Julius Genachowski is confimed by the U.S. Senate and other FCC vacancies are filled. Copps also indicated his willingness to work with network operators in drafting language for the fifth openness principle.

I'm glad to see that Chairman Copps is seeking the input of cable operators on a rule change like this one. It's a breath of fresh air at an agency that was in dire need of an "openness" principle of its own during the past five years. I'm looking forward to working with the Commission to develop rules that allow users freedom to use our networks how they choose, while preserving the ability of operators to responsibly manage resources to allow all users to have an acceptable broadband experience.

Comcast and Sony join forces in new retail location

Sony Style Comcast Labs opens to show off future of high-speed internet [EngadgetHD]

Want to see what it's like to live life in the 100 Mbps fast lane of cable broadband? In Philadelphia, cable operator Comcast is partnering with consumer electronics manufacturer Sony to open a new retail facility to show off some technology of the future. Calling it Sony Style Comcast Labs, the new retail outlet will be located in Philadelphia's Comcast Center. Visitors will be able to surf the web using DOCSIS 3.0 technology at speeds of 100 Mbps and try out new Sony VAIO notebooks. Some of the pictures in this article also show Sony HD televisions with Comcast's tru2way applications.

It's a showcase for the future of cable and consumer electronics technology from leaders in both spaces. This EngadgetHD article has some great pictures of the Sony Style Comcast Labs if you're interested in taking a peek without the trip to the City of Brotherly Love.

Tru2way showcase ready for next month's Cable Show

Plenty of tru2way demos planned for The Cable Show in April [EngadgetHD]

The Cable Show is coming up at the beginning of next month in Washington D.C., and it promises to be a showcase for tru2way, the up-and-coming standard for interactive televisions. EngadgetHD has linked to a release that details a number of tru2way set-tops and tru2way program guides, games, web browsers and more tru2way programs to be on display at The Cable Show's CableNET. CableNET is a joint technology showcase of the NCTA and CableLabs.

I'll be taking a look at the new tru2way products at The Cable Show next month. Last year's Cable Show was the debut of tru2way devices, and this time it looks like we'll have some new products based on the standard. In between my duties as this year's convention chairman, I'll be blogging from The Cable Show again this year.   I'm looking forward to profiling some new products and applications, so stay tuned.  The show runs from April 1 through April 3.

What's next for the Apple TV?

Apple survey prelude to Apple TV revamp? [CNET News]

Rumors about Apple products are a dime a dozen, but there sure are some interesting ones circulating about the Apple TV set-top. Apple recently surveyed buyers of the Apple TV, and the survey questions have created speculation about Apple's plans for the next generation of broadband video on television. Apple's survey asked about the types of video that Apple TV users viewed using the device and what suggestions they might have for the future of the device.

According to this article, Apple has treated the Apple TV as a "hobby" - just another platform for iTunes video content. And while Apple says the product will maintain its hobby status, there are several features that might be integrated into a future version of the device. Streaming video is one possibility that would put the Apple TV on even footing with Netflix's streaming services on the Roku set-top and Xbox 360. The ability to access video portals other than iTunes - like YouTube and Hulu - is another feature that users have suggested. And this article raises the possibility that Apple might integrate the tru2way platform into the Apple TV, allowing users to access their cable provider's interactive content.

2009: The year of interactive television

Is This the Year for Interactive TV? [NewTeeVee]

NewTeeVee is declaring 2009 the year interactive television finally becomes widespread reality. And it's largely due to the cable industry's tru2way technology. Market research firm estimates that by the end of 2009, 55 million households will have interactive TV and 75 million will have it by the end of 2010.  That may be an optimistic expectation for this year, but I agree that interactive TV is on the way.

A few basic applications have been available to satellite customers but in order for interactive TV to really take off, the cable standard must be developed.  Satellite is not a real two-way platform because it requires another connection for the return path.  Besides, nearly 2/3 of Americans watch television on a cable connection making them a critical audience in order to achieve mass distribution.

ESPN plans to roll out several interactive features in June of this year that will be accessible to tru2way cable households. ESPN's MyVote will allow viewers to vote in live polling - similar to the SportsNation web polls that ESPN currently uses, but you won't have to leave your television to vote on your computer. It will all happen live from your tru2way television. In Game Extra will provide live game and player statistics right on your television screen. ESPN's My Bottom Line application will allow users to customize the scores that display at the bottom of the screen.

Interactive television is set to reach a critical mass this year, with more and more cable operators rolling out tru2way technology on their systems and more tru2way ready televisions appearing on store shelves. ESPN's applications will be some of the pioneers in this new space, and I'm already thinking about the teams and leauges I'm going to be adding to the My Bottom Line application.

Tru2way set to be activated on July 1 on several cable systems

CES 2009: Comcast, TWC To Flip Tru2way Switch By July 1 [Multichannel News]

CableLab's Tru2way standard is set to hit a major milestone on July 1st of this year, as the two largest cable operators in the nation confirmed their commitment that 100% of their systems will be Tru2way ready. Tru2way promises to bring real interactivity to cable television, providing a platform for developers to create applications that can be deployed to set-tops or tru2way televisions for viewers' use.  It will also open up a retail market for set top boxes with all types of high-end functionality.

Last year, the six largest cable operators committed to consumer electronics manufacturers that Tru2way would be deployed by July 1, 2009 so consumers could begin taking advantage of Tru2way devices. These cable operators are also in the process of rolling out millions of tru2way set-top boxes in certain markets.  Two markets -- Chicago and Denver had an early roll-out of True2way in the retail set top market.  Expect more later in 2009 and through 2010.

One interesting note from the article is that Time Warner is exploring ways to bring Internet video onto televisions via the Tru2way standard.

Tru2way applications soon to be released; laptops overtake desktop sales; 9.5 billion online video views in November

How Interactive Do People Want Their TVs to Get? [Multichannel News: Bit Rate]  

As we enter a new year, cable operators and television manufacturers are rolling out tru2way technology, Bit Rate profiles two developments in interactive television. ESPN has three applications set to debut next summer that will allow television viewers to participate in interactive polling, call up on screen stats for their favorite players and teams, and customize the score ticker at the bottom of the screen. 

Intel and Yahoo are introducing their Widget Channel at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. The Widget Channel is the company's platform for applications that deliver Internet-fed content like weather information and sports scores.

With developments like these, Bit Rate's author questions whether television viewers want their TVs to operate with the interactivity of computers. If developments like the DVR and On Demand programming are any indication, tru2way's innovations are likely to be welcomed by America's television viewers.

A visit to the online doctor

The Doctor Will See You Now — Online [NYT Bits Blog] 

The information revolution that broadband Internet has created continues to change paradigms. Today's change is the visit to the doctor, which a company named American Well aims to transform into a video conference that can be conducted from a computer. If your health insurance opts to participate in American Well (and at least one will by January), you simply log on to American Well and you're directed to your virtual exam room for a ten minute consultation with a doctor. Doctors in the American Well system have access to your electronic medical records and can even prescribe medication through the system.

While it sure sounds like a big change from making an appointment and traveling to a doctor's office, a system like this is perfect for people on the go who need to consult with a doctor about a non-emergency issue. Plus, this article indicates that the system will have doctors available after regular office hours and on weekends.

Kyle McSlarrow: The development of the tru2way framework

Today's guest post is written by Kyle McSlarrow, President and CEO of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association.

While Michael is away, he asked if I’d be willing to share some of my thoughts on what is happening right now with the cable industry. We at NCTA have been running our own blog – www.cabletechtalk.com – since January.  We’ve frequently recognized Michael’s posts, and I am happy to contribute here.

With this week’s announcement that LG and Funai have signed the tru2way Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), it is probably worth taking a moment to reflect on what this MOU really represents for consumers.

And, while Michael has discussed tru2way here before, some background is probably useful because there are lessons to be learned. (News flash: they don’t involve the government picking technology winners and losers).

Tru2Way for the telcos?

Reported last week at Cable Digital News, CableLabs president and CEO Dr. Dick Green made remarks at NXTComm 2008 inviting telcos to participate with cable operators in the Tru2Way standard.

"The bottom line here is that tru2way is open; it is not exclusive to cable but is available to any multichannel provider that chooses to implement it on their network and in devices. Our combined platforms would certainly attract creative, interactive applications, and they would run on any system that supports the tru2way middleware interface," Green said.

Why can't we all just get along?

I received this question recently:

Would it be possible for you to explain why there has been an ongoing issue between Sony and cable companies?

Good question.  I believe you are referring to the recently settled disagreement between Sony (and some other consumer electronic manufacturers) and the cable industry over tru2way. 

My personal view is that the consumer electronics industry has a long history of having some very strong opposing viewpoints when it comes to major technological advancements.

Testing tru2way and failing

Lots of news in the Blogosphere yesterday about a failed tru2way certification test at CableLabs when IP Democracy's Cynthia Brumfield reported that Panasonic's first attempt at certification uncovered multiple flaws.  Quoting an unnamed source close to the testing,

the first certification test of the technology is a "disaster of spectacular proportions."

I'm told by the folks at CableLabs that it's not unusual for new technology testing to uncover multiple significant flaws.  That's what testing is all about. 

Bloggers say set-top boxes likely to be around for a while

With the news that Sony has agreed to include the cable industry's Tru2Way platform in new televisions coming to market, some news outlets and blogs predicted the "death of the cable box." Not so fast, say IP Democracy and The Bauminator.

Cynthia Brumfield at IP Democracy lists four reasons why she thinks that cable set-top boxes won't disappear overnight.

Sony Signs Up for Cable's Tru2Way

In a major breakthrough, Sony has agreed to include the cable industry's Tru2Way platform in some of their new digital televisions.

Multichannel News yesterday reported,

The binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached by Sony and the six operators addresses how two-way, cable-ready products will be brought to market with interactive services like video-on-demand, digital video recording and interactive programming guides.

The deal also provides new ways for content providers, consumer-electronics manufacturers, information-technology companies and cable operators to cooperate in “evolving the tru2way technology” at CableLabs, the cable industry's research and development arm.

According to NCTA and Sony, key elements of the agreement relate to the deployment of a platform for "write once, run anywhere" applications and to the incorporation of secure digital interfaces that protect consumers' home recording rights along with copyright owners' rights to secure their digital content.