7P is creating TV apps to bring their content and services to Internet-connected TVs

Cologne, April 12, 2010. SEVEN PRINCIPLES AG (7P), an internationally operating management consultancy focusing on IT and a provider of innovative solutions and services, is developing apps for television sets as a development partner of Yahoo! Connected TV. 7P are adapting a tried and tested technology originating in the desktop and mobile communications area in order to present Internet content on television sets. In implementing this development, 7P are supporting the increasing media convergence between Internet and TV.

Based on many years of experience in the development of web based applications for handheld devices, 7P is now developing apps for millions of TV sets powered by the Yahoo!® Widget Engine. “The requirements for operating TV apps via remote control are comparable with those on non-touch screen mobile phones”, says Ulrich Trinkaus, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SEVEN PRINCIPLES AG. “TV Widgets are easily accessed by a remote control using a numerical keypad with multiple assignments for text input and a directional pad for navigation. We can incorporate virtually 100% of our experience from the mobile communications area and use it in the development of the TV apps.”

The phone book as a TV app

SEVEN PRINCIPLES has already developed the first TV apps for one of their customers. In the second quarter 2010, for example, a TV app of the phone book will be available. Like the Internet services of the Deutsche Telekom Medien GmbH and their specialized publishers, the App allows a search by name and place as well as a reverse search using the phone number. Addresses can also be displayed in Google Maps on the TV screen if required. 

7P is a development partner for Yahoo! Connected TV

Network-enabled flat-screen TVs, digital television and broadband networks available almost everywhere provide the technical requirements for the mergence of TV and Internet. The only issue still under discussion was which software should be used to enable access to the worldwide contents. Yahoo!’s established Connected TV platform is now supplying the solution - “To achieve a seamless mergence of these two technologies, it’s important that users are not presented with new hurdles”, says Ulrich Trinkaus. “Routines learnt in other technological areas, such as mobile communications, ease access and increase the acceptance of the new technologies.”

As a development partner of Yahoo! Connected TV, 7P are developing TV apps which run on the Yahoo! Widget Engine, which makes it easy to interact with wide variety of Internet content and services that complement and enhance the traditional TV viewing experience on devices from Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio and more.

“Yahoo! is the trusted partner for publishers around the world who want to take advantage of Yahoo!’s global distribution channels and advancements in building a massive developer ecosystem for publishing and distributing new and innovative TV Widgets,” said Arlo Rose, Senior Director of Product Management and Design at Yahoo! Inc. “7P exemplifies this and provides consumers with the relevant information and content to enhance their television watching experience.”