BBC’s first companion app brings Antiques Roadshow quizzes to Android, iOS

BBC's first companion app arrives tied to Antiques Roadshow, brings quizzes to iOS and Android

Over in the UK TV interaction has a wider history thanks to Red Button services, and the BBC is finally coming through on its promise to join that experience with the internet as it launches its first companion app on iOS and Android. Previously tested in beta with Frozen Planet and Secret Fortune airings, these apps let Antiques Roadshow viewers compete against others -- whether in the same room or across the country -- as they try to guess the value of items displayed on the show. Will that be exciting enough to pull viewers away from whatever the UK equivalent of Sons of Anarchy or The Walking Dead is? Maybe not, but a Red Button version launched last fall netted 1.5 million users right off the bat, and the Beeb expects to build on that more by moving to mobile devices.

The internet-to-TV hookup even goes both ways, as we experienced in our demonstration of Connected Red Button services on TiVo last month and viewers experienced during the Olympics, so we'd expect to see even more interaction launching soon. The apps will be available later today for use with the new episode airing on the 6th. Can't wait that long for your antiquing fix? Thanks to embedded audio watermarks syncing everything up, they will also work with last week's episode (and future ones going forward) viewed on iPlayer or home recordings.

Filed under: , , , , ,

Comments

Source: BBC

BBC introduces Red Button to the internet, thinks they’ll be great pals

BBC to introduce Red Button to the internet, thinks they'll be great pals

Since 1999, the BBC's Red Button feature has delivered alternative camera angles, sports scores and the like over broadcast spectrum, but it's now set to become internet enabled. Channel surfers shouldn't expect a full-blown web experience, however, as the Beebs stresses it's not about to include everything and the kitchen sink in terms of functionality. Rather, their Connected Red Button aims for simplicity. Punching the clicker could bring up the iPlayer to catch previous episodes of shows or save recipes from a cooking program for later viewing on a computer or smartphone. Companion screen experiences such as the Antiques Roadshow app, which is slated for a September release, are also part of their web-connected roadmap. Mum's the word on when these new features might roll out, but we're promised the BBC's Olympics coverage will give us a taste of what's to come.

BBC introduces Red Button to the internet, thinks they'll be great pals originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceBBC  | Email this | Comments

BBC to launch app companion for Antiques Roadshow, asks you to price up British heritage

Antiques Roadshow companion app

Perennial evening schedule-filler Antiques Roadshow will launch a new companion app in the UK, connecting PCs, smartphones, tablets and BBC's red button feature on TVs to the show, as it goes out live. It's shaping up to be very different to the existing PBS app, this time combining your incredulity over whether a painting is really worth that much with a quiz format. You'll be able to guess the value against the clock, with separate amateur and expert levels. (We're all experts when it comes to 18th century pottery, right?). It's the Beeb's first public launch of its companion feature, following closed trials with shows like Frozen Planet. When it eventually launches in September, you'll be able to poll the rest of the British Isles to see what they reckon before you make your decision. Until then, we're stuck vocalizing our disbelief at the TV.

Continue reading BBC to launch app companion for Antiques Roadshow, asks you to price up British heritage

BBC to launch app companion for Antiques Roadshow, asks you to price up British heritage originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceBBC (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments