A Big 2011 for Jinni?

We’ve been following the Jinni content recommendation service for nearly two years, beginning with Davis’ glowing review. Based on their 2011 goals below, they obviously intend to break free of the web browser:

  • JinniTV – a new guide which will enable online users to enjoy the Jinni experience through remote-control access to their connected living room
  • Jinni mobile – our mobile app (available first on iPhone) which will provide 3 guide services in one simple user interface for content discovery of TV shows and movies over-the-top, in theaters and within the home
  • A personalized remote-control for the iPad aficionado for pay-TV operators
  • A touch-screen kiosk for DVD/Blu-Ray discovery within retail stores

Mari caught wind of their strategy earlier this year at a CableLabs winter conference, where Jinni was recognized with the Best Product Idea.

The idea is to create a better VOD experience, and Jinni says it expects to announce operator deployments of an EBIF version of the app later this year

Of course, breaking into the MSO space with Internet-sourced content is easier said than done. And perhaps why Jinni missed their 2010 target and is now emphasizing a “connected living room” in 2011. Jinni would make a mighty fine Roku or Yahoo TV widget. Even better if it could link directly into other apps, like Vudu, Netflix, or Amazon VOD, with suggestions. However, it appears their strategy is multifaceted as they haven’t entirely given up on “pay-TV operators.” Regardless of direction(s), we dig their product and intent – and wish them the best in the new year.

1 thought on “A Big 2011 for Jinni?”

  1. I’ve had some further correspondence with Jinni this morning — and it appears I may have misinterpreted their “connected living room” objective. As they’re simultaneously pursuing opportunities with operators and consumers:

    The JinniTV demo we will be previewing at CES is a prototype to demonstrate to MSO’s how they can implement a Jinni-powered guide. Following our success at Cablelabs, Pay TV operators remain a very important sector for Jinni’s business strategy and we are continuing the B2B as well as the B2C play.

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