New York – As part
of the second wave of its 3D TV rollout, Samsung has unveiled a Samsung App
developer challenge, plus exclusive 3D content deals with DreamWorks and IMAX.
The Free the TV
Challenge is designed to find the most innovative applications for IPTVs, Blu-ray
players and home-theater systems, with a total prize value of half a million
dollars, Samsung said.
The challenge is
open to all developers in the U.S. starting today.
Samsung also announced that the number of
applications available through Samsung Apps has more than doubled since its
launch five months ago.
Beginning today,
consumers can choose from a wide range of apps across five categories — video,
gaming, social media, sports and kids — including apps from ESPN and Hulu,
which are currently exclusive to Samsung. They can also download and enjoy the
world’s first 3D video-on-demand app to view trailers of 3D movies, the company
said.
Eric Anderson, content and product solutions
VP of Samsung, said, “The Free the TV Challenge will continue that momentum by
opening up these TVs to even more developers across the U.S. who want to
distribute their content on the biggest screen in the home. People want a
connected entertainment experience with their devices, and we encourage developers
to free the TV by bringing new concepts, as well as existing apps from many
platforms, to the TV.”
Developers can go
to
to register for the contest, starting today.
To be eligible, developers must live in the United States, submit the
final app, and provide a video that showcases how the app works to Samsung by
Nov. 11.
Samsung today
expanded its library of apps with the addition of ESPN’s Next Level
application, as well as a variety of other premium apps that offer a variety of
3D, sports, casual gaming, weather and family-oriented content at the touch of
a button. The ESPN app is available as a
free download exclusively through Samsung Apps. With four main sections, the
app will allow fans to access in-depth looks at sports events and players in
the news; predictive picks of the day’s games across all major sports; research
nuggets from the ESPN Research team; and insights from Peter Keating, senior writer
at ESPN The Magazine, who gives his perspective on a variety of statistical
subjects.
Samsung and ESPN
plan to introduce a ScoreCenter app in the fall of 2010, based on the popular
app currently available on mobile devices.
Samsung will soon launch what it claimed is
the world’s first 3D video-on-demand app that offers viewers sneak previews of
upcoming 3D movies. All apps are available from today and can be downloaded
directly on the TV via their Internet-connected HDTV, Blu-ray player or Blu-ray
home-theater system.
In addition
Samsung announced the exclusive availability of the 3D Blu-ray version of
DreamWorks Animation’s 3D “How To Train Your Dragon.” The 3D BD will be
featured in Samsung’s 3D starter kit, which also includes two pairs of Samsung
3D glasses for at-home viewing.
Samsung also
announced a strategic marketing partnership with IMAX under which IMAX will
license limited use of its trademark and two IMAX 3D films from its original 3D
film library, “Into the Deep” and “Galapagos.” The 3D Blu-ray versions of the
films are exclusive for the next 12 months to Samsung’s 2010 3D starter kit,
which also includes two pairs of 3D glasses and is free to people who buy a
Samsung 3D TV and a Samsung 3D Blu-ray device. The starter kit will be
available starting this fall.
Giant Screens Film’s
“Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs” will also be available as part of the IMAX
deal.
