University Of Salford

University of Salford develops touchscreen technology for BBC presenters

Lecturer and researcher in Computer Science, Lee Griffiths, and undergraduate BSc Software Engineering student, Adil Zaheer, have designed and built a bespoke touch surface application, nicknamed MediaSurface, which allows TV presenters on the show to interact with social media sent in by viewers from Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.

“Interactive touch screens and surfaces are becoming commonplace since being popularised with products like the iPhone, and our touch surface application allows TV presenters to display and manipulate pictures and comments sent in by viewers,” said Griffiths.

“We have been experimenting with various touch screen technologies including the Microsoft Surface interactive table loaned for the trial by the University’s ThinkLab and we’ve come up we’ve something we think will be really useful for Gordon Burns and his team.”

The team carried out trials in the BBC’s Oxford Road studios in Manchester where NWT presenter Gordon Burns and technical assistant editor Phil Smith were keen to test the new concept to see how they could work with it in a live show for their new studios at MediaCityUK.

It is hoped that the BBC will use the touch surface in a live news show over the summer.

As far as we know this kind of media interaction using audience comments on live TV has not been attempted before,” said Lee. “We really believe that it can bring the presenters much closer to their viewers’ opinions as news breaks.”

The University of Salford will be opening its own teaching and research facility at MediaCityUK later on this year. Alongside the BBC and ITV, 1,500 students and staff will be joining professional broadcasters to develop career opportunities and create new applications – like these touchscreens.

News: University of Salford develops touchscreen technology for ...

University of Salford researchers have been working with the BBC North West Tonight (NWT) team to develop an interactive social media touch surface to enhance their TV programming.

Lecturer and Researcher in Computer Science , Lee Griffiths, and undergraduate BSc Software Engineering student, Adil Zaheer, have designed and built a bespoke touch surface application, nicknamed MediaSurface, which allows TV presenters on the show to interact with social media sent in by viewers from Facebook , Flickr and Twitter .

"Interactive touch screens and surfaces are becoming commonplace since being popularised with products like the iPhone, and our touch surface application allows TV presenters to display and manipulate pictures and comments sent in by viewers," said Lee.

"We have been experimenting with various touch screen technologies including the Microsoft Surface interactive table loaned for the trial by the University's ThinkLab and we've come up we've something we think will be really useful for Gordon Burns and his team."

The team carried out trials in the BBC's Oxford Road studios in Manchester where NWT presenter Gordon Burns and Technical Assistant Editor Phil Smith were keen to test the new concept to see how they could work with it in a live show for their new studios at MediaCityUK .

Gordon Burns said: "When you leave the studio literally buzzing and with a real spring in your step after trying out a new piece of technology you know it's something special! The MediaSurface is a presenter's dream.

"Traditionally, we read out viewers' Facebook comments and tweets as well as showing some of the photos they've sent us on Flickr. Only this time we did it through the MediaSurface. It gave me total control of the item, was visually exciting and was fun to do. I can't wait to have another ago - hopefully live on air!"

It is hoped that the BBC will use the touch surface in a live news show over the summer.

As far as we know this kind of media interaction using audience comments on live TV has not been attempted before," said Lee. "We really believe that it can bring the presenters much closer to their viewers' opinions as news breaks."

The University of Salford will be opening its own teaching and research facility at MediaCityUK later on this year. Alongside the BBC and ITV, 1,500 students and staff will be joining professional broadcasters to develop career opportunities and create new applications - like these touchscreens.

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