Samsung has unveiled the winners of its Free the TV Challenge, which was launched in August. The Challenge sought to spur development of new connected TV experiences, to bring more of the content and services that people want to the largest screen in the home. Four winners were chosen from 14 finalists and consumers will be able to access and experience the winning applications for themselves via Samsung Apps in the future.
With a total prize pool of $500,000, it received strong interest from apps developers. Samsung hosted a special Developer Day and offered access to Samsung Developer Test Centers in Los Angeles New York, San Jose, Chicago and Dallas to help create innovative apps for the TV.
Submissions to the US Free the TV Challenge reflected wide interests and represent the potential for smart TVs to bring robust experiences that meet consumers’ passions directly to the living room. Almost 10,500 votes were cast in total for the People’s Choice award.
The winners are:
First Place: Movl.com’s WeDraw app is the ideal living room game. A player draws a picture on a smartphone while other players guess what the image is based on what appears on the TV. Integrating both the TV and the smartphone, the app leverages the largest screen in the home to create an interactive, social experience.
Second Place: TheGymbox, created by TheGymbox LLC, delivers weekly, full-length workouts on demand in a variety of formats including step aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, core strength, treadmill, cycle, strength training, and stretch.
Third Place: Armchair Astronaut by Artefact LLC, allows users to explore the solar system in stunning cinematic HD 3D. Through a combination of real and digitally-created 3D content, users can ‘travel’ between celestial bodies and explore the surfaces of other planets.
People’s Choice: Numote presented an innovative way to experience TV by creating an app that encouraged a social TV experience with trending TV listings and badges for checking into shows.
