By : Erik Gruenwedel | Posted: 10 Nov 2009
egruenwedel@questex.com

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Nov. 10 launched of a series of free iPhone and iPod Touch-enabled features and social Web-based offerings for the release of upcoming titles Bruno, Funny People, 9, American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, Public Enemies and Inglourious Basterds.

The Pocket Blu app uses the Apple device’s Wi-Fi connection to work with a network-connected Blu-ray Disc player as a remote control. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions.

Turning the phone to landscape mode, users can access a video timeline allowing them to instantly access any point in the movie. A “mobile-to-go” feature enables users to access bonus content on the Blu-ray Disc and stream via Wi-Fi to the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Users will have access to a complete list of pocket Blu-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray. A “pop-up keyboard” enables users to input data into a Web-connected Blu-ray player to facilitate chatting with friends and sending text messages.

The pocket Blu app is available for free from the App Store on the iPhone and iPod Touch at www.itunes.com/appstore.

The social Blu app offers Blu-ray users more ways to interact with their Facebook and Twitter networks through an Internet-connected Blu-ray player.

Universal said it would unveil a redesign of its BD-Live Center on Funny People, which makes the dynamic content on the multimedia portal faster to access, more engaging and easier to use.

“These new features represent the latest step in Universal’s continuing effort to deliver an extraordinary home entertainment experience to consumers,” said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “By bridging Blu-ray’s vast capabilities with the Internet, iPhone, iPod Touch and some of the hugely popular social networking platforms, we are effectively taking the Blu-ray experience to the next level, offering consumers the opportunity to easily integrate their favorite films into those activities and devices that have become part of their everyday lifestyle.”

The pocket Blu app makes its debut on the Blu-ray editions of Bruno (Nov. 17), Funny People (Nov. 24), Public Enemies (Dec. 8), Inglourious Basterds (Dec. 15), American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (Dec. 22) and 9 (Dec. 29).

The social Blu app, which bows with The American Pie Presents: The Book of Love release, allows users to sign on with their Facebook and Twitter login information and enjoy a variety of connected Blu-ray features with their friends. Users can control status updates from their Blu-ray player, the UniversalHiDef.com Web site, or within pocketBlu.

As part of the social Blu technology, users can update their Facebook and Twitter profile statuses via BD-Live. With the click of a button, users can rate the movie, send messages and on future releases will be able to share film-related user-generated content with their friends via their social network pages.

The redesigned Universal BD-Live Center allows users to preview new releases coming to Blu-ray and theaters, along with BD-Live features. Meanwhile, the previously launched ticker and video rotation automatically bring updated content directly to the viewer. Login and registration aren’t required, unless the user wants to access select community features.
 

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