Time Warner Companies Inch Forward with Tablet Apps
Time Warner Cable hopes to launch its TWCable TV application for Android tablets in late November, according to a posting on its corporate blog. The MSO first launched its TWCable TV app for iPad in March, followed by some content distribution rights troubles (For more, see Technology Matters in Content-Distribution Disputes).
The operator’s first Android app release will not include the streaming of live programming. However, the following features will be available:
- An Interactive Program Guide (IPG) with seven days of program listings, including full program description;
- The ability to use the Android tablet as a set-top-box remote control, choosing a program from the grid guide and tuning the set-top to the selected channel; and
- A DVR Manager to remotely program DVRs with capabilities similar to the current Web and mobile Remote DVR Manager product.
For live-channel streaming, TWC is holding off until Google launches its long-awaited Android 4.0 operating system, dubbed "Ice Cream Sandwich.”
In related news, Bright House Networks now has a TV app for the iPad, available for download to existing customers at no additional charge. The app allows subs to watch live TV on their iPads in any room of their homes.
Bright House’s app looks a lot like programming partner TWC’s app, which means it doesn’t feature Viacom networks, at least not yet.
-Linda Hardesty
