AirPlay and iLook are two similar two-screen systems for using a mobile device app as a combination electronic-program-guide/TV-remote. Interestingly, both systems also provide a simple way to broadcast TV programming directly from the cloud to a user's TV without the need for expensive set-top boxes and proprietary cable and satellite infrastructure. Perhaps less obviously, the resulting broadcasting path is relatively secure (with respect to digital rights management or DRM) because it is completely controlled by the broadcaster's cloud and the broadcaster's mobile app. The TV is just a "dumb screen".What is AirPlay?
With AirPlay, a video can be selected on an iPhone or iPad touchscreen and played on a TV screen. The TV's HDMI input must be connected to an AppleTV media device (shown below).
 |
| The AppleTV media player connects to any TV via the HDMI port. |
For example, a user launches the YouTube app on the iPhone, searches for "Avatar" and from the search results selects the "Avatar Trailer". After the video starts to play on the iPhone's touchscreen, the user is able to transfer the video to a TV screen by simply touching the AirPlay button on the iPhone's touch screen (as shown below). This same button is also touched to transfer the video back from the TV screen to the iPhone touchscreen.
 |
| The AirPlay button is touched to transfer video from the iPhone touchscreen to a TV screen. |
 |
| The AirPlay menu enables selection of a destination screen. |
- Works beautifully with the YouTube app and the iTunes app on the iPhone and the iPad.
- Makes it very simple to find video by using the iPhone or iPad as an electronic program guide and remote and to play it on a TV screen.
Cons of AirPlay:
- Video only works with Apple apps (only YouTube and iTunes at this point). Does not work with Netflix and other non-Apple apps.
- Only works with the AppleTV media player. Unlikely to work with non Apple TV devices in the future (except possibly via expensive licensing arrangements).
- Power-hungry because the iPhone or iPad must be on for the duration of any video since the video is sent to the AppleTV media player (and the TV screen) through the mobile device.
- Non-Apple app publishers cannot use AirPlay for video in their own apps.
- Only one mobile device at a time can be used to control the video.
- Only one screen can be controlled by a mobile device.
- The Screen Select button is located on the video navigation control panel which means that you need to fist start the video before selecting the destination screen.
- Closed architecture makes it unusable (by app publishers) as an OTT TV broadcasting system.
What is iLook?
iLook is very similar to Airplay and is now available from iLook Corporation (ilookTV.com) in beta, by invitation only. Like with Airplay, a video can be selected on an iPhone or iPad touchscreen and played on a TV screen. iLook's advantage is its complete flexibility. It is designed to work with any Internet-ready TV and with any app that streams video. Any number of mobile devices can be used at the same time to control a single TV screen. And, a single mobile device can control many TVs, each playing a different video.
For example, a user launches the Netflix app on the iPhone. The app displays a "Screen" button on the nav-bar as shown below. Touching the Screen button displays a list of all Internet-ready TVs on the home network. The user selects Living Room. From that point on, all movies played through this app will play on the currently selected TV screen and the iPhone will be used as combination interactive program guide and remote.
 |
| The iLook "Screen" button is typically located on the Nav Bar. |
 |
| The iLook "Screens" menu enables selection of a destination screen. |
Pros of iLook
- Works with any app and with any Internet-ready TV.
- Does not use extra mobile device power while a video is playing on the TV screen.
- Available to app publishers for free (no license fees or royalties).
- No advertising is imposed on app publishers.
- Multiple mobile devices can control a single video.
- One mobile device can control multiple screens.
- iLook SDK (called the iLook Library) makes it simple for app publishers to make their apps iLook-ready (available through iLookTV.com).
- The Screens button can be located anywhere in the app. It is typically on the nav-bar. This means that a destination screen can be selected before playing a video.
- Open architecture makes it useable (by app publishers) as an OTT TV broadcasting system.
- Currently only available by invitation through iLook's beta program.
- Will not be widely available until Q2, 2012.
Blog Archive
About the Author
- Peter Redford
- is located in San Jose, California.
- Mr. Redford is a futurist and a Silicon Valley technology pioneer. He started his technology career over 33 years ago as a researcher with the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Since 1981, he has served continuously as CEO of venture capital funded Silicon Valley technology companies and sold his first company to Yamaha in 1982. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of iLook Corporation (www.ilook.tv), Chairman and CEO of TV Interactive Corporation (www.tvi.com) and sits on the boards of several Silicon Valley technology companies. Redford was granted over 40 digital media technology patents including the original software patents for the graphical user interface (GUI), and for the AutoPlay technology used in Microsoft Windows and in Blu-ray disc players. Redford’s patents have been licensed to all of the major companies in the consumer electronics, video game, toy and personal computer industries (including Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Dell, HP, Sony, Panasonic, Sega, Samsung, LG, Philips, Hasbro, Mattel, and many others). Redford holds an M.S. in Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. You can contact him at redford@tvi.com.
Post a Comment