DVB WORLD 2012 – ROME. Apps will ultimately replace the set-top box, according to Siemens’ Stefan Jenzowsky.
“I know that set-top boxes will live for quite a while, but there will be apps that have security, EPGs and navigation,” Jenzowsky told DVB World 2012, the annual gathering of digital TV’s standards developers, in Rome. “There will be operators that work inside apps, just like Skype is today.”
The German technology firm has assembled an entire app factory, whose purpose it seems is to put the set-top concept to bed.
Using technology capable of running across a number of second screen devices, Jenzowsky showed that trickplay, fast forward, pause, play, etc was possible between a tablet and smart TV.
Similar to Apple’s AirPlay, but now running across eight different manufacturer devices, the technology was first seen at IBC in September. Viewing on a tablet can be transferred to the main screen and vice versa.
By using such a device, Jenzowsky said television could to counter the forces of the Internet in being able to deliver customised traffic, though he was not optimistic.
“I believe the main TV stations will sleep while Google Facebook and Shazam will take the advertising market.”
He added that an advertisers such as car manufacturers were changing their advertising methods to drive people to their websites, rather than the showroom.
