Dijit unveils NextGuide Web with Facebook-sourced TV recommendations
Dijit Media just launched a closed beta of its browser-based service, NextGuide Web, which expands on the features of the NextGuide iPad app. NextGuide's interface will be familiar to Pinterest fans, with a scrolling feed through which you can browse your buddies' favorites and bookmark shows for later viewing. If you have a North American cable or satellite provider, you can sign up to receive e-mail reminders for live TV showings while Comcast and DirectTV subscribers can also use NextGuide to schedule DVR recordings.
If live TV isn't your thing, NextGuide provides a universal search of Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and iTunes for your online viewing pleasure. The social aspect of the service -- along with its Facebook integration -- is arguably the most interesting as it makes it easier to discover programs based on recommendations pulled from your friends' activity. NextGuide's web service is currently invitation-only, but users of the iPad app and Dijit Remote will be able to log on immediately. Since Dijit acquired Miso back in February, users of Miso's TV app will also be granted access sometime within the next month.
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Dijit Media Introduces NextGuide Web, a Next Generation Social TV Discovery and Sharing Web Experience
San Francisco, CA – May 17, 2013 – Dijit Media, Inc., makers of the popular NextGuide, Miso, and Dijit Remote social TV discovery and control applications, today introduced NextGuide Web. NextGuide Web is a new site that helps people find and explore TV shows and movies and see what their friends recommend and watch. The site lets users discover and watch shows on live TV and popular streaming services including Amazon Prime, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Hulu Plus, and Netflix.
Key features of NextGuide Web include:
Single Search - No more need to browse site after site to find your favorite show on a streaming service - search once on NextGuide for combined live and streaming results.
Universal Watchlist and Queue - No need to maintain unique queues on all your favorite sites, just create one list at NextGuide for anything you'd ever like to see.
Automatic Reminders - For any show or movie, set a reminder and NextGuide can email you whenever there's a new airing on live TV or any streaming service.
One Click to Watch & Record to DVR - When browsing shows, NextGuide includes direct links to watch on streaming services, or queue recordings to your home DVR (note: DVR features only for Comcast and DIRECTV subscribers at present).
Social Recommendations - Easily discover what shows and movies your Facebook friends are Liking, and get recommendations from other people who watch similar shows and movies as you do.
"Last year we launched the NextGuide iPad app and revolutionized the TV guide. Now we're extending that great platform to the Web," said Jeremy Toeman, CEO of Dijit Media. "NextGuide.TV is the easiest way for people to keep track of great shows they want to watch, easily get reminders for new airings on live or streaming services, and share their recommendations and social TV profile with their friends."
NextGuide Web is launching a closed beta for the public and all users will have invitations to share with friends. The company will extend new invitations on a first-come, first-serve basis at the beginning of each week. All existing Dijit Remote and NextGuide app users can use their account credentials (or Facebook Connect) to log in to NextGuide Web immediately, and Miso users will have access within the month. NextGuide Web is accessible internationally, but supports TV and movie catalogs for North American users at present.
"Audiences have plenty of choice when it comes to search and discovery of TV shows and movies," said Colin Dixon, Chief Analyst with nScreenMedia. "What is much rarer is a simple, intuitive guide that brings together TV broadcasting with online streaming, as in the new NextGuide."
Dijit Media also offers three discovery and social TV apps for iOS and Android: NextGuide for iPad, the Dijit Remote, and Miso. Dijit Media's flagship app is NextGuide, a "hyper-personalized" TV guide that brings together live TV with results from popular streaming services. NextGuide providers recommendations and discovery technology with social features and a unique mosaic-style interface for a modernized re-interpretation of the classic guide. The Dijit Remote is the top-rated iOS remote control app, which also powers the experience for the Griffin Beacon iOS accessory (also available for Android). The Miso app was the first-ever "Social TV" service that lets users share what they are watching with their friends, post to social networks, and connect with fans around the shows they love. For "checking in", users can collect points and unlock virtual badges.
