Zappware, a leading developer of off-the-shelf and custom designed interactive digital television (iDTV) solutions, today announced the successful launch of its iDTV platform by Swiss cable operator 022 T©l©genve SA, under the naxoo brand. More than 40,000 households are digital TV subscribers of naxoo in the cantons of Geneva and Wallis (through the company's partnership with T©l©dis and Sateldranse).
The system employed by the Swiss cable company is based on Zappware's renowned Flux(TM) platform, a modular suite of interactive services, including electronic program guides (EPG), video-on-demand (VoD), and personal video recorder (PVR) applications that offers the operator full customization and configurability. The flexible naxoo system, first launched in 2004 and currently including over 250 TV channels and 100 radio stations, is deployed on SceneGate set-top box systems from Zappware's partner, Albis Technologies.
"Our long-standing relationship with T©l©genve - naxoo exemplifies how close collaboration can pay huge dividends in the iDTV world," said Patrick Vos, CEO of Zappware. "Because of our close collaboration with naxoo and Albis, we were able to successfully launch advanced, interactive applications to naxoo's traditional programming, just a handful of months after the decision was made to move forward."
The recently deployed platform includes an EPG that leverages Zappware's user-friendly and intuitive navigation and a unique PVR application that enables recording of media onto a USB-connected hard drive. This type of connectivity also enables the potential future expansion of the platform to include playout of personal media assets (like videos and photos) stored on personal hard drives or media servers -- one of the key differentiating features of Zappware's iDTV services.
"This latest deployment offers remarkable opportunities for multimedia entertainment and information for our subscribers. The naxoo system brings together broadcast and entertainment into viewers' living rooms and gives them incredible access," said Phong Pham, chief technology officer at T©l©genve - naxoo. "Having partners like Zappware, with its enormous experience and sophisticated technology, is vital to providing this type of convenience to our subscribers."
Future developments of the system will also include the addition of VoD capabilities into the naxoo system.