Telebreeze Multiplatform Player
Release 10.0
On November 15, Telebreeze announced a new release of Telebreeze Platform 10.0.
The key updates are:
Mikhail Murlyan, Head of the Testing department at Telebreeze, will tell you what key changes were made and why it is important. The interview was conducted by our marketing manager Anastasia.
The key updates are:
- Added the support of WebSocket protocol and implemented the feature of clearing client cache if necessary.
- Added discount functionality.
- Changes in design.
- Improved switching of quality and audio tracks for video content.
Mikhail Murlyan, Head of the Testing department at Telebreeze, will tell you what key changes were made and why it is important. The interview was conducted by our marketing manager Anastasia.
Well, the long-awaited release has taken place, and I have a list of changes that have occurred. I would like to know more about each one. Let's get started! Added WebSocket to the system, and implemented the ability to clear the portal cache if necessary. At first, what is the WebSocket, why is it needed?
WebSocket is a tool designed to exchange messages between a web server and a browser in real-time. Makes it possible to instantly send a message to all the user's devices. Without this technology, the player can send a message to the server, and the server, in turn, sends only a response to the player. WebSocket also allows you to send a message from the server to the client (browser/device) at any time, i.e. devices are now always "listening". At the same time, it works both within all users and locally for a specific user.
How can it be used?
For example, the system can stop streaming in emergency situations and open a video about evacuation. With WebSocket technology, it became possible to send a message from the webserver to the player about the playback of the content being played and the playback of the necessary content (for example, an evacuation message). This happens without refreshing the page or restarting the application and allows you to immediately and directly contact the user. This is how technology works. Right now we have implemented the cache clearing functionality when adding a subscription. This means that if a user's subscription changes or he makes a purchase, a message is automatically sent to all players on all devices that you need to reset the cache. For example, if you are on the shopping scene, it will automatically update, and all the content will be immediately available.
What was before and how did it work?
Previously, when buying a package, there was no instant update of the subscription list. It was necessary to restart the application and only then the newly purchased content became available. Now it happens instantly. WebSocket allows you to send messages from Middleware directly to the player. For example, you are simultaneously watching a movie in the application from your phone and on the TV. If you bought a package on your phone, the information on your phone has been updated, and the old list of subscriptions is still available to you on the TV. To update the information, it was necessary to restart the application. And now you can buy a subscription on the phone and the content is automatically updated immediately on the TV.
What is the benefit of the operator in this?
Simplifying the work of technical support and increasing the processing speed of payment transactions. In general, we did the feature for a specific project in which there was a problem with the payment system: the user paid the money, but the payment system processed the operation for a long time and he did not have content. It could happen that the client paid the money, the content does not appear, he does not understand what is happening, and goes to pay again. Now the client does not need to re-log into the application, there is no confusion "Why I bought the content, but it did not appear in the application".
Does the tool have any other interesting functionality?
The notification system is also implemented. Let's say you put a note on your phone to get a notification that you wanted to watch a certain program at a certain time. And at this time, a notification "you wanted to watch" comes to you on all devices.
Well, listen, it sounds great! Especially the moment about alerts in emergency situations. Very useful! But I suggest moving on to the next update — added discount functionality.
I want to say right away that we are talking about personal discounts. That is, at the moment we have implemented functionality that allows you to make personal discounts to OTT service users.
Were there any discount functionality on the platform? Discounts on the plan, or specific content?
There was no discount functionality in principle. The plan has an initial price for the first purchase, but no more. Now it is visually shown as a crossed-out old price and next to it is a new one and the discount percentage is written. For each offer, for each plan, this is visually done separately.
Wait, I still didn't understand. There were no discounts before?
Not at all. There was only an initial price — a discount on the first purchase.
Okay, but if we have now added the functionality of personal discounts, then how are discounts on offers or specific packages made?
They're personal anyway. That is, you assign a specific user to a specific package.
So you cannot assign discounts to a group of people?
No. Not in the current implementation. But if you wish, you can do this via the API with an external download of the list of users who need to make a discount.
Okay, then what is the benefit for the operator?
The operator can make bonuses to his specific clients. Moreover, you can make both a discount and an extra charge.
So it can work not only as a reward but also as a punishment?
Absolutely so :)
I like it :) Well, we're done with discounts. Let's now go to the third update of the release. Improved switching of quality and audio tracks for video content.
Oh, they solved a huge pain. Previously, there were many buttons like "watch in 360", "watch in 480", "watch the voiceover of such and such a studio", and now everything is hidden behind one "WATCH" button. We move to the viewing stage, go to settings, and there are selectors Quality and Audio (voice acting). There used to be a bunch of buttons, it didn't look very good. And we also made a successful migration of current clients as a plus, and all this should be displayed normally and without problems.
So it only affects UX?
Yes. Exclusively. Well, if there was such a design in the Channels section before, then we added it to Cinema for the first time. So let's say they led to uniformity.
And the last point — what changes have you made with the design?
We brought the back button to a single location and view on different scenes, now you don't need to look for it.
Amazing. That is, some element of the charade was removed?
Yes.
That's it?
That's it.