Interactive TV Lives Again, This Time On Mobile Phones

from the push-the-red-button-if-you-care dept

While interactive TV services have been available in other countries for several years, they're still largely stuck as the next big thing here in the US -- as they have been for a while. With a new twist on the old idea, now a company wants to offer the same types of services like games related to what's happening on screen over cell phones instead of the TV itself or the internet. It's unclear how using the phone will make these services any more attractive to users, but the company's CEO says it's because "Chances are, the cell phone is right next to them already." Okay, but isn't the remote control, too? Usability also seems like it could be a major problem, given the high latency of mobile networks. Interactive TV has failed to catch on not because of the medium over which it travels, but because people just don't seem to care. Until the underlying services are changed to incoporate something that strike's people fancy, the device they use to access them won't matter.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    TriZz, 20 Mar 2006 @ 11:54am

    Genius...

    ...my cell phone barely keeps a charge long enough to last me the day - now you want me to play interactive television games on it too?

    These phones keep getting more powerful, and the battery remains the same. Eventually - the phone world is going to have to start working on a better battery.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lhon0901, 20 Mar 2006 @ 12:54pm

    Battery...

    Well, I'm not really advertising, but you could try using SonyEricsson Phones. I have and I can use it for long periods of time playing MP3's. That's just a suggestion, though. I may not last you the whole day, but you could use it longer than some phones, I guess... I hope I will not offend anybody here...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      TriZz, 20 Mar 2006 @ 1:40pm

      Re: Battery...

      Probably any phone has a better talk time than mine - I have the Verizon RAZR - and the battery on this thing sucks.

      Luckily, in the true spirit of geekiness, I spend most of my time talking to people online rather than the phone.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Will, 20 Mar 2006 @ 1:15pm

    American Idol

    Might work if you can get something like american idol that involves the viewer and lets them express their opinion.. then once you have their number toss them back an upsell.. mabye. Seems like they're reaching really far here.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    yossi, 20 Mar 2006 @ 1:25pm

    Seems this would solve the "problem" of time shifting

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Chris / CortaLUX, 20 Mar 2006 @ 3:47pm

    Phones

    All the nokia phones I've ever had [3] - my battery has lasted over a full day without recharge, though I recharge most nights in any case. I've just got a new LG- and that lasts too.
    Just get a better phone:/

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Moogle, 20 Mar 2006 @ 4:51pm

    Assault and Battery

    I've had my samsung phone for ... huh, about 5 years now. The battery's starting to show its age though, I have to charge almost twice a week now!

    If getting a new phone means I'll have to charge it every day (?!?!), maybe I'll stick with this one until it fall completely apart.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    joe-allah, 21 Mar 2006 @ 3:58am

    I live in a neighborhood where there are so many wireless networks that there are people who haven't paid for access in years. cough.

    They can't all be too stupid to put a password on their routers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    giafly, 21 Mar 2006 @ 5:56am

    XBox Spectator Mode

    ...is the first real candidate for Interactive TV.

    "Microsoft will soon be making use of newly patented technology that allows Xbox 360 players to 'tune in' to Xbox Live games as spectators.

    Got nothing to watch on TV tonight; not even saved on your Sky Digital box? Well, very soon Xbox 360 will be offering a whole new 'channel' of spectator events. Microsoft has recently patented a new technology that, in addition to other areas of its vast business, will further revolutionise the way we enjoy videogames online.

    The company likens its newest idea to tuning into a sporting event broadcast, with Xbox Live subscribers having the option to watch an online game or event in real time via Xbox 360. This new technology will allow for instant replays, highlights and various dramatic views of the action to resemble what you would normally expect from televised spectator events." - Yahoo! Games

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.