Andre Yoskowitz
19 Jun 2009 17:18
Sony Pictures has announced today the company's two latest BD-Live features, MovieIQ and CineChat.
Mike Abary, senior vice president of information technology products and personal audio, says there are now 11 million Blu-ray devices in US homes, and predicts 400 percent sales growth for 2009.
MovieIQ is somewhat like the popular movie database IMDB, but instead powered by Gracenote. Connecting to constantly updated databases will allow you to get full cast lists, as well as set details and other information on the film.
CineChat is a Blu-ray instant messaging program. Users can use a keyboard or certain mobile devices such as BlackBerries to type to someone else around the world (friend or not) that is watching a Blu-ray film. Notably, the feature uses "sync" so if both are watching the same film they can watch at the same time, the same scenes.
MovieIQ will first be available in September with the release of Angels and Demons and CineChat will be available soon with the release of Ghostbusters.