Samsung today announced the finalists of its Free the TV Challenge.
Finalists were selected from submissions for developing the most innovative applications for smart TVs, Blu-ray players and Blu-ray Home Theater Systems. Winners of the Challenge will be announced at the upcoming 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2011.
The top three winners, as well as a People's Choice award winner, stand to win a total prize value of half a million dollars. Samsung will also make the winning applications available on Samsung Apps, the world's first HDTV-based application store.
Samsung kicked off the Free the TV Challenge in August to spur development of new connected TV experiences and bring more of the content and services that people want to the largest screen in the home. Developers across the U.S. were invited to submit their best ideas for 2D and 3D TV applications across all categories, including sports, gaming, video, information and social networking. The Challenge is part of a global rollout of developer-focused contests and events led by Samsung around the globe that open up TVs to developers wanting to distribute their content on Samsung's platform.
The panel of judges for The Free the TV Challenge include industry leaders such as Roelof Botha from Sequoia, Mike Maples of Floodgate, Bob Borchers from Opus Capital, Jeremy Levine of Bessemer, as well as Eric Anderson. Three winners will be chosen from the submissions. The public have also been given a chance to vote for their favorite application for the People's Choice award. Visitors can preview the apps from the finalists at Samsung's booth in the Central Hall at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show.
Description of The Free the TV Challenge Finalists
A3 Art
Transform your TV into an exclusive gallery in motion with A3 Art. British photo-artist Michael Banks creates some of the most unique contemporary art in the world today. The bright colors of his organic and abstract photos will come alive in HD.
Armchair Astronaut
Armchair Astronaut allows you to explore the solar system in high definition incorporating a combination of real and digitally-created 3D content.
Dashwhoa
Dashwhoa is a dashboard with everything you need to know before you go out: hourly weather forecast (via weather.gov), current traffic (via Google Maps), and a recent highly-ranked local photo from Flickr.
Guroo TV
Guroo TV is a new, improved TV guide. Instead of offering a list of shows by channel, Guroo TV provides the most talked-about shows playing right now based on Twitter references and what people like. You can add your favorite shows to your playlist and Guroo TV will let you know when they're on.
TheGymbox
The Gymbox delivers weekly, full-length workouts on demand in a variety of formats including Step Aerobics, Kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates, Core Strength, Treadmill, Cycle, Strength Training, and Stretch. New classes are added weekly.
Numote - Social TV Listings
Numote provides a social TV experience with trending TV listings and badges for checking into shows.
Redux Discover
Redux Discover is a fun way to discover the videos that your friends and relevant tastemakers are watching. You can personalize Redux even further by adding your Twitter account to surf through videos your friends are sharing, and by adding your favorite channels.
Signbotic
Signbotic is a digital signage solution for the small business owner. Harnessing the flexibility of the new samsung smart TV lines, small business owners can create a digital sign in minutes. With Signbotic you no longer need to buy cumbersome dedicated hardware, work with difficult software, or pay high consulting fees.
TrickTV
TrickTV has seven core features including the ability to control lighting, climate, door lock from the TV, video surveillance/chat and remote home management from your mobile phone. TrickTV is free and includes free mobile phone apps for Android, iPhone, Blackberry and Windows Mobile.
TvPet!
TvPet! is the world's first Social Tamagachi for your TV. You can watch TV feed, play with, teach tricks and buy decor items for your very own virtual pet. It provides the ability to level up to unlock even more cool tricks and items while playing alone or with friends on Facebook.
TV Twicker
TV Twicker brings Twitter updates to your TV. TV Twicker only takes up the space where news tickers reside at the bottom of the screen, and floats above your current shows.
WeDraw
WeDraw lets contestants win points and compete by guessing another player?s drawing. It?s easy: one person draws using their finger on a smart phone, the others guess.
WeTeli
WeTeli brings people together to watch and share their favorite videos right on your SmartTV. Using your smart phone, you can search for videos and add them to the queue. You can also vote for other people?s videos to push them up or down in the queue, and add comments right on the screen.