Top Mobile Applications 2006 - The Roundbox Electronic Service Guide Solution
App: The Roundbox Electronic Service Guide Solution
Companies: TV Guide/Roundbox
Why it's a top app: Carriers are still demoing the Roundbox-powered TV Guide electronic service guide (ESG) for the mobile platform but it's capable of making a mobile TV viewer feel right at home. TV Guide claims nearly 90 percent of the satellite and digital cable EPG market in the U.S. as well as a significant marketshare internationally, it stands to reason the content provider will dominate the mobile space as well. According to the companies, the average at-home viewer spends 10 percent of his TV viewing time on the EPG, but because of the dominance of short clips in mobile TV and the variety of video on demand, most think the average mobile TV viewer will spend far more time with the EPG--maybe even twice as much. This Roundbox app lays claim to convergence in a number of ways. First, convergence of content types: The EPG helps users navigate video, radio and datacasting services like stock tickers. The app is also likely to link users' mobile phones to their DVRs in the future to provide reminders of home TV shows as well as remote control functionality.
