Personal APRICO Channels in ready to use reference implementation
APRICO and StreamUnlimited signed a partnership agreement to develop solutions which allow device manufacturers and service providers to integrate the TV personalization and targeted advertising solution of APRICO and Axel Springer.
Eindhoven/Vienna Today APRICO, a venture of Philips, and StreamUnlimited, an independent technology provider, announced a partnership for the technical development of a reference implementation of the personal APRICO channel concept into video entertainment devices. The implementation package combines the APRICO personalization software development kit (SDK) and the Axel Springer EPG and advertising services with the latest technology of StreamUnlimited. First results of this development will be shown and offered to device manufacturers and service providers at the NAB show in Las Vegas, USA, in April.
StreamUnlimited provides modules and engineering services for innovation and quality in consumer electronics. The partnership between StreamUnlimited and APRICO is an important step for personal APRICO channels to enter the consumer electronic market. Device manufacturers and service providers can use StreamUnlimited's implementation package as a foundation for their applications and devices or use the solution as it is to offer personal APRICO channels to consumers .
Jeroen Cappendijk, General Manager of APRICO says: "StreamUnlimited is an expert in realizing successful connected consumer electronics. Our partnership with them shall accelerate the distribution and reach of our personalization and advertising solution to the content delivery platforms of our customers in the broadcast industry".
"In the coming decade TV shall become personal and based on both broadcast and broadband content: this is exactly what APRICO delivers. That's why we believe that there is a bright future for the personal APRICO channels in set top box devices. We want to offer clients a ready to use implementation" says Frits Wittgrefe, CEO StreamUnlimited. "That is why StreamUnlimited not only signed a partnership to develop a reference set top box with APRICO but also took a license to implement APRICO in devices we develop for our clients".
The APRICO and Axel Springer personalization solution allows viewers to create personal channels next to their existing TV channel line-up. APRICO channels are automatically filled with content based on the user's interests by the personalization solution of APRICO using its recommendation engine as well as program metadata, editorial and advertising services from Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. With devices personalized by APRICO consumers can simply create APRICO channels by either using a seed program - for example out of a movie on TV or content on the Internet - by searching for attributes - like a particular actor, director, title or similar - or by downloading an existing APRICO channel profile from a community or friend using devices with the advanced APRICO technology embedded.
About APRICO
APRICO solutions help audiences to enjoy the wealth of content available through broadcast networks and on the internet in a truly personalized television experience. The company's patented personalization and recommendation technology finds, filters and delivers content from different media directly to the viewer's TV screen. This proven solution is an ideal platform for device makers, service providers, broadcasters and media owners looking to fulfil one mission - provide pure personalized TV entertainment and advertising to the end user.
APRICO delivers its solutions across the globe. The venture's corporate headquarters is based in Eindhoven. APRICO is a technology venture of Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI). For more information, please visit www.aprico.tv
About StreamUnlimited
StreamUnlimited is an independent technology house providing modules and engineering services for innovation and quality in consumer electronics. Its main competence fields are audio/video, connectivity and user interface. The main application fields of StreamUnlimited are in connected audio (internet radio, picture frames, DMA, NAS,...), connected video (IPTV, PVR, STB,...) and in high end consumer electronics. StreamUnlimited fosters an impressive ecosystem of partners in the semiconductor industry and offers the full spectrum of development activities ranging from an initial product idea till mass industrialization in China, making use of all disciplines: hardware, software, testing, EMC, industry. For more information visit: www.streamunlimited.com
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 134,200 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal well-being. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter
About Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH
Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH (ASDTVG GmbH) provides CE producers and network operators with access to the premium editorial content of Axel Springer. It offers technological solutions - in particular electronic programme guides (EPGs) - for extended navigation and insertion of targeted, personalized advertising through digital content on digital receivers, personal video recorders (PVRs), game consoles, PCs, mobile phones and other terminals and platforms. The company is a 100-percent subsidiary of Axel Springer AG (XETRA: SPR.DE) and cooperates closely with the editorial offices of the Axel Springer programme guides and other global publications. For more information visit: www.as-guides.comPress contacts
For more information please contact:
Aprico
Marc Nieuwhof
Phone: +31 40 27 40625
Email:marc.nieuwhof@philips.com
StreamUnlimited
Ginger Van der Swart
Phone: +43 1 60101 4917
Email: ginger.vanderswart@streamunlimited.com
