By RICK SMITH, WRAL Tech Wire Editor
People following the Michael Jackson doctor’s trial in Los Angeles are tuning in live on mobile phones and other devices through an “app” developed by Raleigh-based News Over Wireless, or NOW.
But this is not just any ordinary app. Users also can get access to court documents from their phone, tablet or laptop.
“The neat thing about this app is that enables access to documents,” said Laura Blake, a member of the NOW development team.
The complexity of the app required NOW to support multiple kinds of content in addition to the challenges inherent with the challenge of streaming live TV.
“Each app is unique, especially this one with the live video that required additional testing required,” Blake said. “The good thing is worked this station before, so we were able to move a lot faster than general time frame.”
NOW, which is part of Capitol Broadcasting’s New Media Group, developed the app in partnership with Fox Television Stations.
It’s a red-hot seller at Apple’s App Store for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touches. The app also supports Android devices. Within the first 24 hours of release earlier this week, the app hit the App Store’s top spot in sales.
The Fox stations are also using the app to deliver highlights, analysis, commentary and other information related to the trial of Conrad Murray. NOW developed an additional web site for mobile users who don’t have an Android or Apple device.
“This is the most comprehensive coverage of the trial on your phone right now, all one place,” Blake said. “We’re seeing users from around the world.”
NOW developed an additional web site for mobile users who don’t have an Android or Apple device. “It doesn’t have all bells whistles of app, but we wanted to make sure something was available other users,” Blake noted.
NOW works with TV stations across the country, providing a suite of technology services that enables mobile TV. The group has worked with the Fox Stations since 2009, and they asked NOW to develop the app just for the trial and to enable additional features, Blake said. The stations already had a news app that NOW developed.
The Android app launched Sept. 15. Apple approved it Sept. 26 – just ahead of the trial.
Read more about the app here.
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Note: The Skinny blog is written by Rick Smith, editor and co-founder of WRAL Tech Wire and business editor of WRAL.com.
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Thanks to WRAL.com & CBC NMG’s Rick Smith for this capcom story & these capcom graphics.
