Opening up IPTV middleware for applications

We need Web type APIs into IPTV middleware for tighter integration of applications on TV. There is already a wealth of apps available on Web. While some of these could be offered by CATV using DOCSIS transport, they are optimised for IP networks. The key to making them available over an IPTV subscription is leveraging the ergonomics of a TV remote control rather than let subscribers access these applications by browsing Web over a TV screen. Using something like Flickr on a TV with the help of a remote control calls for open APIs to the client and server side middleware. This is why Microsoft’s recent announcement (to open up its middleware) seems important.

The video conversation with Brian Caskey from UTStarcom below discusses some of this. We started by briefly talking about IPTV prospects in general. UTStarcom has so far adopted an end-to-end solutions approach to IPTV deployments rather than open APIs to its middleware.