The media consumption landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and can prove overwhelming and difficult for users who often have to contend with a wide range of devices, cables and plugs. In order to best connect with the diverse range of options on offer, a multiplicity of technologies can be used: infrared, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or Wi-Fi are the preferred methods.
For the user, there are various methods to communicate their intentions – touch and speech are becoming increasingly prevalent, but for many, the primary method of navigation remains manually using buttons.
In terms of searching for information and browsing, there is a variety of screens available to consume content. Our research shows that several of these connected devices are used most often in parallel to the main TV screen, but not for navigation. When it comes to the big screen the user wants to control this experience without complexity.
To come up with a solution that really supports this basic need, the right combination of technologies is a necessity. But technology is only a means to achieve a goal. It is the set of tools applied that every TV provider or technology producer has to manage and know.
Contrary to today’s common business practice of combining as many technologies, protocols and input modalities as possible to enable users to control their TV experience, ruwido is introducing its ‘thinsizing’ design and development approach.
To combat the growing complexity of TV, the ‘thinsizing’ approach allows ruwido to support its partners and clients in offering uniquely tailored interaction mechanisms that truly put users back in control of their IPTV ecosystem. The method allows us to carefully remove the unnecessary components from the mass of technological options, to focus on the essentials of how users want to naturally interact in and with their TV environment.
By applying the fundamental principles of ‘thinsizing’, we have succeeded in designing and developing a set of interaction concepts that directly focus on human needs and wants and are being debuted at this year’s IBC.
