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KIT digital Launches KIT Connected Device Framework(Market Wire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/09/11 -- KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), a premium cloud-based software solutions and technology services provider for multiscreen video management and delivery, launched today the KIT Connected Device Framework, a collection of native application templates and a comprehensive software development kit (SDK) designed to help organizations simplify the process of delivering unified socially-enabled video experiences across multiple internet connected devices, including connected TVs, game consoles, set-top boxes (STB), smartphones and tablets. The KIT Connected Device Framework is a key component of the next-generation KIT Video Platform, the company's newly unveiled solution for enabling video providers to deliver content from any source to any screen -- leveraging the latest in social TV and mobility solutions. "With IP network-connected devices expected to outnumber people 2 to 1 by 2015 and mobile subscribers expected to grow to nearly 4.9 billion worldwide by 2013, it's critical that video service providers have efficient and cost-effective solutions for supporting the range of devices audiences use to access video," said Alex Blum, KIT digital's chief operating officer. "However, a lack of common standards across device platforms is making it increasingly difficult to deliver high quality, consistent and secure video applications across the growing range of device environments. KIT digital, with the support of a growing number of industry partners, has addressed this challenge head-on with our fully integrated and already proven Connected Device Framework." Through the extension of the KIT App Studio, the company's industry-leading cloud-based media player authoring solution, the Connected Device Framework enables organizations to configure and deliver custom native mobile and connected device applications with drag-and-drop ease without writing a single line of code. The KIT App Studio features: Customizable template applications for a growing number of leading smartphone, tablet and connected TV devices, including Android and iOS-powered devices, as well as TiVo, Boxee, Google TV and others Extensible partner plug-in architecture with support for leading advertising platforms such as Doubleclick, Freewheel, and Tremor Media; analytics platforms such as Adobe Omniture; and global distribution platforms such as the Akamai HD Network Seamless, simple and secure user verification for "TV Everywhere" federated user authentication, such as Adobe Pass Support of video, audio, pictures, and interactive engagement features such as member check-in, chat, comments, ratings, social sharing, and activity notifications. The Connected Device Framework also includes a comprehensive SDK that provides documentation, sample applications, application programming interface (API) connectors and digital rights management modules to support the rapid development of highly customized applications. Leveraging the framework's APIs and code libraries, KIT digital's world-class professional services team can also build completely custom applications for proprietary set-top boxes or emerging connected device platforms, making even the most complex app concepts achievable. The KIT Connected Device Framework is already supported by several industry leaders, for example: Akamai TechnologiesAkamai's HD Network delivers high-performing, multi-screen video on a global scale. By simplifying the video publishing workflow via KIT's Connected Device Framework, joint Akamai/KIT digital customers can more easily publish to the Akamai HD Network across a variety of devices. Bill Wheaton, Akamai's SVP of Media Services, commented: "The connected and mobile device landscape has exploded. As a result, demand for high quality video continues to grow and requirements for delivering video experiences across devices have become more complicated. Companies like KIT digital provide important tools designed to help customers reduce complexity and focus on their strategic vision and new opportunities." Adobe Systems Adobe's TV Everywhere authentication service, Adobe Pass, is now available through an easy to integrate App Studio plug-in as part of the KIT Connected Device Framework. Leveraging the OSMF plug-in standard, Adobe Pass has been seamlessly integrated with the Connected Device Framework. LG Electronics LG Electronics, a leading Smart TV manufacturer, is already providing 3D TV service capabilities as part of the KIT Connected Device Framework. Young-jae Seo, vice president in charge of LG's Smart TV team, added: "LG is a pioneer in Smart TV products and is driving new innovations around bringing rich 3D experiences to the home. Our groundbreaking efforts with KIT to incorporate LG's 3D capabilities within the Connected Device Framework will be extremely helpful in bringing these fantastic consumer experiences to the widest audience possible." GlobecastIn partnership with Globecast, a global provider of Satellite and content services, KIT has leveraged the Connected Device Framework to jointly create with GlobeCast's team GlobeCast Multiscreen, a portfolio of Internet TV services to all connected screens: computers, mobiles, tablets and connected TVs. GlobeCast Multiscreen is the result of GlobeCast's decades of experience in delivering services to its broadcast customers and KIT's know how. GlobeCast Multiscreen customers will benefit from Apple iOS and Android applications, and Samsung Smart TV applications that enable GlobeCast's broadcast partners from around the world to deliver live and on demand TV in a "set-top-box less" scenario to consumers globally. Cedric Aoun, EMEA business development director at GlobeCast, commented: "The advanced capabilities of the Connected Device Framework allowed GlobeCast not only to deliver content to computers, mobiles and tablets, but also to easily provide rich Broadband TV experiences directly on Samsung's leading Smart TVs with the GlobeCast Samsung App without having to incur the additional cost and set up complexity of specialty STBs. This will complement our satellite delivery services and extend our broadcast customers' audience to broadband network users." Telsey Telecommunications In partnership with Telsey, a worldwide leader in the design and production of Access Gateway, IP-Video Station and Networking solutions, KIT is providing a STB solution using the Connected Device Framework to power customers' multi-screen over-the-top (OTT) premium video service -- including that of Telecom Argentina. Barbara Adami Lami, CEO of Telsey, added: "By leveraging the Connected Device Framework, we are able to provide greater flexibility in customization and reduced time to market for a broad range of applications and video services." KIT digital's Connected Device Framework is already supported by numerous other customer implementations across the globe, through existing integrations with leading STB manufacturers such as Telsey, Retail IPTV service providers TV2moro, and game consoles such as Microsoft's Xbox 360. The Connected Device Framework is also tightly coupled with KIT digital's Social TV offering that provides interactive TV applications and true second screen capabilities for multi-platform IPTV and OTT customers. About the KIT Video Platform The Connected Device Framework is fully integrated with KIT digital's next-generation video management and delivery platform. The KIT Video Platform provides media & entertainment companies, network operators, and non-media enterprises a comprehensive and highly flexible platform solution to produce, manage and deliver live and on-demand, socially-enabled broadband TV deployments. The KIT Video Platform's two editions, KIT Cloud and KIT Cosmos, are built on a common architecture and object model, and each caters to different ends of the video market -- from enterprises deploying internal video systems, to broadcasters and Telcos deploying multiscreen 'TV Everywhere' initiatives. KIT digital representatives will be available to demonstrate and discuss the KIT Video Platform, KIT Social TV solution and KIT Connected Device Framework, along with the company's full suite of professional services capabilities, at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2011 Booth 1.D71 being held in Amsterdam on September 9-13. About KIT digital, Inc. KIT digital (NASDAQ: KITD) is a premium provider of end-to-end video management software and related services. The KIT Video Platform, the company's cloud-based video asset management system, enables enterprise, media & entertainment and network operator clients to produce, manage and deliver multi-screen socially-enabled video experiences to audiences wherever they are. KIT digital services more than 2,300 clients in 50+ countries including some of the world's biggest brands, such as Airbus, The Associated Press, BBC, Best Buy, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Disney-ABC, FedEx, Google, HP, MTV, News Corp, Telecom Argentina, Telefonica, Universal Studios, Verizon, Vodafone and Volkswagen. KIT digital maintains executive offices in New York and its operational headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, with offices in 21 countries around the world. Visit the company at www.kitd.com or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KITdigital. KIT digital Contact: Gannon Hall Executive Vice President, Marketing Tel. +420 724 391 434 Email Contact Source: KIT digital, Inc. |