26.04.02
Revolutionary
software turns PDAs into personalised TV guide and remote control
Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA)
users can now turn their devices into a listings guide and remote
control for their TV with Radio Times on your PDA, a revolutionary
new product from Radio Times and TVcompass.
The
Radio Times on your PDA application combines programme information
from Britain's best broadcasting magazine, Radio Times, with unique
software that will display daily TV listings clearly and concisely
on a PDA's screen. It also allows the PDA to be used as a remote
control for both TVs and set-top boxes.
The
TV listings within Radio Times on your PDA can be displayed in either
list or grid formats, and customised to show users' favourite channels.
Future releases will include a reminder service to alert users when
a particular progamme is about to start, and a facility to programme
video recorders directly from the device.
The
PDA's infrared beam works with most major brands of TV and digital
set-top boxes, and means viewers can sit on the sofa, plan their
viewing schedule and then select the programmes of their choice,
all through the same device.
Listings
updates are received automatically whenever the PDA is synchronised
via a PC or Mac, meaning the information is always the latest available.
The service is the only one of its kind in the UK.
The
software is downloaded from www.radiotimes.com/pda using a simple
install and set-up wizard. This wizard also enables the user to
select which make of TV they have and the line-up of TV listings
information they require - terrestrial, satellite or cable.
The
cost of Β£14.95 includes TV listings, upgrades and customer
support for 12 months. To run the software the user requires a Palm
OS device running Palm OS version 3.3 or later. A Microsoft PocketPC
version of the software will be available from TVcompass later this
year.
Stephen
Voller, CEO of TVcompass, says: "We are delighted to be launching
this product in partnership with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide. Radio Times on your
PDA is a simple to use product which provides the convenience of
a TV remote control with the comprehensive TV listings information
from Radio Times."
Rebecca
Woodward, Head of New Media, Radio Times, says: "Radio Times
wants to extend its brand on to new devices and to new consumer
groups. Radio Times on your PDA is an exciting and innovative first
development to give PDA users Radio Times' content and TV remote
control capabilities."
Notes
to Editors:
TVcompass
TVcompass was founded in 1998 to provide cost effective solutions
for interactive television. Viewers use TV remotes, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) and cell phones to send and receive information
without affecting the broadcast stream. TVcompass solutions can
also provide a low-cost reliable return path for all terrestrial,
cable and satellite services.
The
company has a broad patent portfolio, including patents on a wireless
remote control - a TV remote connected to a wireless network. The
wireless network provides an interactive TV return path. This product
is available as part of home shopping, gaming and research solutions
for interactive TV.
TVcompass
is a privately held UK company with offices in London and San Francisco.
For further information please visit .
Radio Times
Radio
Times is Britain's premier guide to quality TV, radio and film,
and has spent 78 years telling the story of broadcasting, selling
1.2 million copies each week.
Covering
the best TV, radio and film, the magazine was the first listings
title in the UK to launch an electronic extension, at .
The
web site also includes Radio Times' database of more than 20,000
film reviews, which also form the basis of two books - the Radio
Times Guides to Films and Science Fiction.
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
|
