United Kingdom-based ThinkAnalytics continues to make inroads into the United States. To wit: ThinkAnalytics’ recommendation engine is the first and only one to date to license the Comcast Reference Design Kit (RDK) software stack.
Vendors, including Motorola Mobility, Entropic, Evolution Digital, Cisco, Broadcom, Entropic and S3 Group, have been lining up in droves to take part in Comcast’s RDK efforts. While participating in the RDK effort doesn’t necessarily guarantee a big, fat contract with Comcast, it does move the ball down the field when it comes to shortening the development cycles for tru2way, IP or hybrid set-top boxes and video gateways. Other cable operators that are also part of the RDK effort include Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications and Liberty Global.
The Comcast RDK was developed internally using open source components and by working with various vendors. The RDK is a community-based project that allows developers, vendors and cable operators to use a defined stack of software on one layer in order to provision set-top boxes and gateways.
The RDK allows all of the interested parties to develop once and then scale across multiple environments – in the CableCard/QAM/MEPG-2 world of today, as well as in the IP environment of tomorrow.
“The RDK is a critical tool in our continued commitment to providing integrated solutions that help move the industry forward in the next wave of consumer TV interactivity,” said Peter Docherty, founder and CTO of ThinkAnalytics. “Leveraging our depth and breadth of experience as the worldwide leading provider of personalized, multi-platform recommendations, we are proud to be the first recommendations engine currently supporting the RDK’s initiative to provide consumers with richer, multi-screen experiences in today’s rapidly changing TV environment.”
The license enables ThinkAnalytics to provide software development, integration and testing services to set-top box and chip manufacturers, as well as MSOs that are planning to take advantage of the RDK.
“One of our goals with the RDK program is to foster a community of innovators focused on bringing enhanced user experiences to consumers, by providing a platform that enables these new applications and services across a broad set of STB, gateway and system-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms,” said Steve Reynolds, senior vice president of CPE and home network at Comcast. “Robust and effective search and recommendations are key for developers, operators and device manufacturers looking to rapidly deliver more intuitive and compelling multi-screen experiences. ThinkAnalytics’ support of the RDK further accelerates our commitment to providing the next-gen video solutions and platforms that will propel the next evolution of TV interactivity.”
ThinkAnalytics recently integrated its recommendations into Cox Communications’ Trio guide and counts Liberty Global Telenet, BSkyB and Virgin Media among its customers.
