Over-the-top (OTT) software provider Vewd has announced Vewd Atom, an OTT solution intended to bring apps and streaming video to operator devices previously incapable of accessing OTT services.
Vewd Atom's virtualized OTT architecture consists of software running in the cloud connected to a client on the device. It's intended to improve the service offering and user experience without replacing existing set-top boxes. It's designed to support casual gaming, expanded VOD, advanced advertising, regional OTT apps and the operator's own apps, such as catch-up TV in an operator-branded user interface.
Other features include the ability to introduce the same OTT experience across all set-top boxes, control all devices through one cloud-based interface, and add new OTT services directly in the cloud without firmware upgrades. Applications run sandboxed in a controlled cloud environment while video streamed directly to devices supports modern encryption standards.
"Vewd Atom is the antidote to cord-cutting," said Aneesh Rajaram, CEO at Vewd. "It offers all of the modern features potential cord-cutters actively seek while reducing the technical burden on operators. Not only can we help reduce churn, but strengthen the value of pay TV by adding OTT services to hundreds of millions of devices already in the field. This creates the perfect win-win scenario for operators to continue to grow their business."
The company will be showing Vewd Atom at IBC2018 in Amsterdam.
In other Vewd news, Sascha Pruter has joined the company as chief product officer. Previously, Pruter led Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) product and engineering efforts for Android TV. At Vewd, Pruter will lead all product management efforts, with a special focus on Vewd's emerging portfolio of pay TV operator products, including the recently announced Vewd OS for Android TV.
Prior to Google, Pruter headed program management teams for MediaRoom at Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT).