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"Sky has agreed a deal with Zeebox to integrate the social TV service into its mobile apps, as well as take a 10% equity stake in the company set up by former BBC iPlayer technical head Anthony Rose. In a major indicator that dual-screen viewing - watching the TV while also using another device, such as a tablet or smartphone - is about to go mass market, Sky has signed a deal with Zeebox to become the only TV platform to incorporate the new technology. The Zeebox technology will soon come to Sky&amp;#039;s suite of TV apps, including the Sky+ remote record service and Sky Go, the online live TV viewing platform launched last year.  Rose and his business partner Ernesto Schmitt launched Zeebox last November, with the free app essentially looking like a real-time electronic programme guide, featuring the ability to organise channels according to personal preference.  Zeebox offers &amp;#039;augmented&amp;#039; viewing, giving the ability to interact with fellow viewers to gain recommendations and discuss the programmes you are watching on a &amp;quot;virtual couch&amp;quot;. The app features a dynamic engine that extracts what is on the screen and throws up a series of &amp;#039;zeetags&amp;#039; linked to actors, shows or even adverts, offering links to additional information and items to purchase. It launched on the iPad, but is also now available on the iPhone. Sky said that the integration of Zeebox will offer a &amp;quot;ground-breaking companion app experience&amp;quot; for Sky customers. Later in the year, Sky subscribers will be able to access a Zeebox-powered app to set recordings on their Sky+ box on the move, as well as use their iPhone or iPad as a remote control to browse the EPG while at home.  Sky has also agreed to take a 10% stake in Zeebox for an undisclosed sum, while Sky Media will become the exclusive sales house for the company&amp;#039;s synchronised advertising inventory. Zeebox will remain an independent company and continue to operate its own Zeebox-branded social TV platform, including collaboration with broadcasters other than Sky.  &amp;quot;Sky has a strong track record of innovation, and we are delighted to partner with them to deliver Zeebox&amp;#039;s social TV vision to millions of Sky homes,&amp;quot; said former EMI executive Schmitt.  &amp;quot;Thanks to Sky&amp;#039;s backing we now also have the resources and expertise to set our sights firmly on international expansion alongside further innovation here in the UK and Ireland.&amp;quot; Sky&amp;#039;s director of emerging products Emma Lloyd added: &amp;quot;Sky took an early position of leadership with companion devices, having recognised the demand from our customers to use second screens to discover, enjoy and interact with their favourite content. &amp;quot;The integration of Zeebox&amp;#039;s innovative technology will enable us to make the companion device experience even richer and more engaging.  &amp;quot;We know that millions of our customers have smartphones and tablets and regularly use them to engage with Sky on mobile devices, so it&amp;#039;s a natural next step for us.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/news/a359063/sky-partners-with-zeebox-social-tv-service/>