Toshiba and Netgem Partner to Connect TVs to the Interactive World
o Adapter enables customers to access Connected TV services portal: Toshiba Places
Toshiba Places, the complete connected TV solution
Toshiba and Netgem today announce the launch of a multifunction adapter for the French market, which provides access to Toshiba Places. The multifunction adapter enables users to connect their digital TVs to a world of online interactive services, which have been fully optimised for the TV experience. It allows consumers to access a range of entertainment services, including video on demand, as well as share their multimedia content with relatives and connect to services and information from the Internet.
This is the first deployment of Toshiba Places, which is enabled through Netgem's device and middleware expertise. This multifunction adapter has been designed to connect any flat screen TV to the Toshiba Places portal. It initiates a new era for television through its interactive access to multimedia content.
Netgem: TV experience enriched by the power of Internet
Netgem, a leader in connected entertainment, provides Toshiba with a platform for the development and deployment of innovative connected TV services. The launch of Toshiba Places demonstrates how Netgem's middleware and hardware technologies enable new business models through the deployment of connected home entertainment services.
Commenting on this new partnership, Christophe Aulnette, Netgem's managing director, said: "Working with Toshiba, one of the global leaders in consumer electronics, to develop new interactive solutions for connected TVs, is the first success for our "Netbox inside" strategy. Our vision is that one day all TVs will be connected to the Internet."
The Toshiba Multifunction Adapter developed with Netgem is a customised version of the new Netgem N5000 platform that was announced at the IBC 2010 show. It offers simple, visually rich and intuitive navigation combining DTT broadcast channels with the added value services available through the Toshiba Places portal.
The adapter offers Ethernet, WiFi and HDMI connectivity with advanced multimedia functionality to access stored content such as videos, photos and music and is UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) for an easier integration to a Home Network. The device ships with 4 gigabytes of Flash memory to ensure the best possible Video on Demand quality and a DTT-HD tuner, which allows navigation between TV and interactive services through a single remote control.
"Having such an innovative partner as Netgem cooperating in this ambitious project was really valuable. Toshiba Places is an example of rich and efficient cooperation between different players in our ecosystem," said Philippe Delahaye, president of Toshiba Systems France.
Toshiba Places, a new technology innovation for the digital home
Toshiba Places offer many benefits including:
o A Multifunction STB (Ethernet and WiFi access, HDTV tuner, UpnP) to connect your TV to Toshiba Places services.
o Access to the web portal from all screens in the home (main and secondary TVs, tablet, etc...) giving access to a large range of services.
Leveraging the Internet and meeting the promise of "cloud computing", Toshiba considerably enriches multi-screen connectivity.
Price and access conditions: access to Toshiba Places is free and available to all:
From a PC, you just need to register at www.toshibaplaces.com.
From a TV, you need to buy a Toshiba Multifunction STB (RRP 99 available from October 2010*).
Toshiba Places is also available via the Toshiba Folio 100 Tablet.
*Available in France in October 2010, coming to other European countries in 2011.
About Toshiba Europe GmbH
Toshiba Europe GmbH (TEG) is a fully owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, Tokyo, a global corporation with more than 130 years of company history. Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology and a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products. Headquartered in Neuss, Germany, TEG is comprised of four business divisions: Computer Systems, Storage Device Products, Consumer Products and Electronic Systems Operations. Together, these divisions provide product offerings including industry leading portable computers and other mobile products and solutions, HDDs, DVDs, LCDs, TVs and electronic office equipment. As the headquarters for the EMEA region, TEG provides support and assistance to its local branch offices.
Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 740 companies, with 199,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.6 trillion yen (US$73 billion).
About Netgem
Netgem enables operators to deliver branded connected entertainment in the digital home, enriching the broadcast TV experience with the power of the Internet. Installed in over 3 million homes around the world, Netgem is among the top 10 most deployed Hybrid Set Top Box solutions worldwide. It is ranked number one for IPTV STB shipments in Western Europe and number 3 for IPTV globally in 2009 by Screen Digest. Netgem customers include: SFR, Telstra, Monaco Telecom, Elisa in Finland, Spec-Com for Algeria Telecom, Melita Telecom in Malta. Slovenia Telekom and FetchTV in the UK. Netgem is listed on Compartment C of Euronext Paris Eurolist (ISIN code: FR0004154060, Reuters code: ETGM.PA, Bloomberg code: NTG FP 7537). www.netgem.com Twitter http://www.twitter.com/netgem/
Media contacts:
Toshiba
Pierre Blondet / pierre.blondet@agence-elan.com / +33 1 40 89 96 36
Cécilia Roussel /cecilia.roussel@agence-elan.com / +33 1 40 89 96 46
Netgem:
Vanessa Vigar, Netgem Communications, T: +31611562218, Vanessa.vigar@netgem.com
Andy Riley, AxiCom, T: +44 20 8392 4072, andy.riley@axicom.com
