Foxtel introduces TV Guide Gadget
Foxtel has partnered with Microsoft to release the Foxtel TV Guide Gadget – allowing users to access the TV Guide directly from their PC.
The announcement:
Never miss your favourite TV shows again thanks to the new FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget launching today. Developed jointly by FOXTEL and Microsoft, the gadget makes the FOXTEL TV Guide available directly from your PC desktop.
The simple-to-use application allows you to search for shows by keyword, view program summaries, and create a list of your favourite channels, ensuring you are always up-to-date with all your favourite FOXTEL shows. FOXTEL iQ and iQ2 subscribers have the additional benefit of being able to set Reminders and Remote Record programs up to 14 Days in advance, from anywhere in the world.
The FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget is available as a desktop application or as a ‘Web Slice’ through Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) web browser. As a Web Slice within IE8, the FOXTEL TV Guide simply sits on your IE8 Favourites Bar and allows you to keep track of that “slice” of the web easily throughout your day.
FOXTEL Executive Director of Product and Sales, Patrick Delany said, “With so many people now online for a significant period of time every day, the FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget removes the need to search for the FOXTEL TV Guide or even type in a URL. The FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget is great for quickly searching for a program and recording it – if you’re logged on you can search for your favourite show and send a Remote Record request all in a few seconds.”
“The new FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget means you are always connected to FOXTEL’s 14 Day Online Guide and Remote Record functionality, letting you search for your favourite TV shows, program the FOXTEL iQ or iQ2, set Reminder Alerts, and many more handy functions,” he said.
Microsoft Australia Windows Consumer Product Manager, Melissa Dewick said, “I travel a lot with my job and I love having the ability to search, click and record my favourite programs from anywhere in the world.”
“How many times have you been away from home and realised you’ve forgotten to record the latest episode of Australia’s Next Top Model, or the football? If you love your FOXTEL then this is a must-have gadget for you,” she said.
For Mac users, a Mac compatible version of the FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
How do I get the Online FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget for my Computer?
The FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget is available on any Windows PC running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 as a Desktop Application. For those using Internet Explorer 8 the ability to install the application as a web slice is also possible.
To install the FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget:
1. Visit http://foxtel.com.au/gadget and click on the appropriate link provided to either install the Gadget as a Web Slice or as a Desktop Application.
2. If you’re a FOXTEL subscriber and would like to Remote Record to an iQ or iQ2 simply visit the FOXTEL registration page (www.foxtel.com.au/register) to get a username and password if you do not already have one.
The FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget uses the Microsoft Silverlight platform and users will be prompted to download the Silverlight plug-in if they don’t already have it.
Remote Record is a handy feature for FOXTEL iQ and iQ2 subscribers that lets them remotely program a set-top-unit to record favourite shows online at www.foxtel.com.au, by using an iPhone or with the new FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget.
For more information, visit the FOXTEL TV Guide Gadget page: http://foxtel.com.au/gadget
Source: Foxtel press release
