IBC, AMSTERDAM – September 12, 2008 – Punchcut®, a leading user interface design and development company that specializes in enhancing digital user experiences, today unveiled a next-generation, Flash-based and Wii-mote enabled television user interface at IBC Amsterdam. Punchcut has partnered with Bluestreak technology to envision a next generation televion UI experience leveraging the Bluestreak's proven MachBlue™ platform.

"Television is going through an identity crisis," said Ken Olewiler, Punchcut's Managing Director. "Consumers are getting more choices, new content and a new social connectedness that demand interfaces that put users first."

Punchcut believes design is the answer to addressing the complexity of the converging television space. The company asserts that traditional UI models – basic, one dimensional, disconnected, and linear – are no longer relevant or effective. And that new mobile, social and interactive contexts of use are demanding new UI solutions for television, requiring solutions that scale, engage users and are intuitive. Success will depend on high-quality user interfaces that are tailored to these new contexts.

Punchcut designed and built the Wave UI in partnership with Bluestreak Technology to demonstrate Punchcut's user-centered design approach. The innovative UI takes full advantage of these new contexts of use, allowing new methods of control, increased access to content, and a focus on community that are keys to redefining the television UI experience.

KEY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

// Control

A core innovation of the Wave UI is the gesture-based input control. For too long the remote has been our main control for the TV, but gestural control brings much greater flexibility to immediately access secondary content like suggestions and friend invites. It creates a deeper level of interaction and engagement users. This does not replace the use of keypad input for channel switching and volume but simply adds a completely untapped dimension to the experience.

// Content

Television UI suffers from poor content access and discovery. The question remains, how do consumers easily access, search and manage the abundance of content? How do they find shows and content that they really care about?

The “Guide” had been the traditional means for finding content, yet we believe there is room for innovation here. An evolved guide provides more than a list. It allows for summary previews and also enables a quick glance view while you are still in play mode.

As the television becomes a convergence point for online, broadcast and side-loaded content, Punchcut believes it will be critical to have aggregated views, regardless of the source. In the Wave UI the "Media Crate" metaphor is an aggregated view of all of a given users' content. Users can access Netflix content, YouTube content, etc. But aggregation alone is not enough to ensure that consumers find the content that matters most to them. The second way to aid content discovery is through filtered views and intelligent recommendations.

// Community

One of the most critical aspect of television is that it is most commonly a shared, social experience. Although single sessions are supported, the value and enjoyment of the experience can be greatly enhanced when others are present or accessible.

The Punchcut Wave UI enables a shared viewing experience both in a given household and among friends’ households. The Wave UI allows multiple users to log and adapts that content options based on the shared preferences.

ABOUT PUNCHCUT

Punchcut is a user interface design and development company specialized in improving users’ experiences with device, desktop and television user interfaces. Punchcut provides strategy, design, and development services – from original user research and usability studies to the complete design and development of custom interfaces and applications. Punchcut’s clients span the consumer electronics industry including device manufacturers, technology providers, service providers and content brands. Punchcut partners with clients to create solutions that engage customers, streamline transactions, and enhance digital user experiences.

ABOUT BLUESTREAK TECHNOLOGY

Bluestreak Technology, formerly known as Bluestreak Network, is the creator of the award-winning MachBlue™ platform, which powers sophisticated applications and user interfaces on mobile phones and television set-top boxes. The MachBlue platform gives network operators and OEMs the power to create engaging, rich-media user experiences. Customers include leading operators such as Videotron, Time Warner Cable, and Orange.

Punchcut is a registered trademark of Punchcut, LLC. MachBlue is a trademark of Bluestreak Technology, Inc. All other trade names and copyrights are held by their respective copyright owners.

Press Contact Information

Punchcut
pemberton@punchcut.com
415 445 8855 x120
170 Maiden Lane, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94108

Source URL: http://www.punchcut.com

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