Sky Getting Social With Zeebox

Skylab is hiring!

Not too long ago, as picked up by Techradar, TV giant SKY announced that it was to integrate its apps with Zeebox, a social app available on the iPad, iPhone and Web (soon to include Android), which allows users to message based on shows they or their friends are watching.

This is interesting for quite a few reasons.

App Integration breathing new life into ‘old’ technology

As far as we’re concerned, TV is an old technology. That’s right, let’s face it, it’s operated with a remote control that works off infrared. Seriously? It’s just a big monitor; at least that’s what most TVs are now and that’s fine, but let’s not suggest that getting a cable or satellite signal is groundbreaking news.

A media giant teamed up with a lesser known brand

Any time we see a media giant think ‘outside of the box’ that’s a natural win. Here, Sky is embracing new technology and opportunities. Sky could have developed their own apps to achieve the same but no, they chose to bring in fresh minds who are already good at what they do. We appreciate that.

Innovative integration

A number of Sky’s bespoke apps will be integrated with Zeebox, including Sky+ and Sky Go. Sky Go in itself is a very cool tool. While it’s been around for quite some time from other providers across the world, the fact still remains that everyday viewers can get Sky TV on their mobile phone. You are mobile with your TV in your pocket - and the same device now also allows Zeebox to run in parallel.

Imagine what else Sky could integrate with to provide enhanced live services?

Perhaps soon Twitter streams will sit side by side with your favourite TV shows, using hashtags to integrate Tweets? Zeebox already allows Facebook integration. In the future, could you view your favourite shows on TV with your family on the other side of the world, commenting and chatting via your Facebook wall where other friends can join in?

Social integrates with ‘old’ technology

In our business we believe that social apps have great value. As people, we want to be close to each other and to those we love.

With Zeebox and Sky you have the ability to virtually gather around the staple of modern media and ‘chat’ as though you were side by side, no matter where in the world you find yourself.

Opportunities lie in every corner of the world and especially in technology. Just because you have a brand or business that you feel isn’t cutting edge doesn’t actually mean that today’s technology cannot offer a new perspective on an old favourite.

Skylab has a great example of this with our success with the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race. Skylab introduced GPS tracking into the yachts, allowing friends and families to track their movements across the globe. In prior races, fans were forced to wait for each ship to pass close enough to land to offer support and cries of ‘Good Luck.’ We have no doubt we can develop your brand and align it with the media and the technological world we live in, so get in touch with us via email or on Twitter @studioskylab and break the mold.