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We\'re developing a tool set or white label app for broadcasters, advertisers and format creators. It should be a generic kit that works for any kind of content and should be activated by Linear TV.
To get more ideas, we tried to get in to the mind of the television viewer. This is why we organized some interviews. We interviewed different people from different ages with different backgrounds. In total we did 8 interviews.
We tried to go to people’s houses (or boats, like in the photo below) and try to get a look on how they watch TV, in which setting.
We also interviewed some one with a lot of knowledge about Connected TV’s, like Connie Veugen. She’s a lecturer at the VU University and she specializes in Gaming. She gave us a lot of insights (and also a good time with her cats).
After four weeks of work, doing a lot of desk research, we made our presentation and went to The Widget Company (TWC), being our third time there. Tim and Monica were the responsible to present it, and they did a great job. You can find the presentation we did below:
During the presentation we had some valuable opinions from them, and will help us to continue with our project in the right path. It is always good to have the client opinion of course. We also filmed it, and will be available in our blog later.
Yesterday we went to TWC for the second time to get more familiar with the Smart TV’s, and experience it like a real user. We were doing research for the last weeks and was only reading, so going there was good because we could enjoy the practical part.
First we got a LG Model they had there to setup it from the beginning, like if we just had bought it.
After installing the cables and searching for the channels, we tried to use our Smartphones, Android and Iphone, as a remote control for the TV, there’s an official LG app for that in the market, for free. But it wasn’t so easy, and eventually we gave up and tried to use the app’s that already come with the TV. When we started the first app, the TV started making a software update, took a lot of time but was worth the wait. After that, we were able to use our Smartphone as a remote control. Interesting that the TV didn’t warned us about a software update when we were trying to pair our phones, only after we tried to use an app on it.
One of the guys that work there went to have a talk with us, he’s an interaction designer. He showed us some of his wireframes, explained the designer details we need to have in mind when developing an app for a Smart TV and the difficulties also.
We had a great time there. The floor we were testing the TV’s is amazing, hope we go there more often.
Second week of the project and first week of research. After the meeting with TWC and the debriefing we had to begin our research on the connected TV area. It is such a big area, so we divided the area of research and each of us is going to focus on one part. The different parts are: advertisers, users, content, narrative and technologies.
We also had our first research meeting with Marco, he told us something we were afraid off: our research question is so extensive, we need to find two or three smaller research questions, so we can answer the big one. After that, we continue our individual research until friday. Then we had a team meeting, to show what we have found, what we put together and how to improve it.
We hope to have these small research questions in the incoming week, and we will probably make another visit to TWC to keep in touch with the environment of connected TVs.
Wednesday we had our first meeting with our assigner, The Widget Company.
First we introduced ourselves to them and told them kind of roles we are taking in our team and what our specialities are.
Then they introduced themselves and showed us some of their previous work.
Later we had the chance to look at their “Connected Living”, where they have all kinds of TV’s where they test their applications on. We will get the chance to work here too and use their TV’s as testing platforms.
To define who our user is, we made a short video on what we think our users looks like and what he does in a normal day.
To clearly show this we first showed the day in a life of a person who doesn’t own a smart TV and afterwards we show how easy a day can be if you actually own one.
