Oberhausen, Germany, 12 November 2013 − ACCESS CO., LTD a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets and Bewatec, a provider of hardware and software for hospital entertainment devices and patient communication, today announced that Bewatec now integrates ACCESS’ WebKit-based HTML5 NetFront Browser NX in its hospital bedside entertainment systems.

The rise of e-medicine has enabled Bewatec to deploy bedside screens providing data systems for hospital staff as well as an infotainment system for the patient. In addition to the apps already delivered to the patient via the MediStream and MediTec range of screens provided by Bewatec, the integration of NetFront Browser NX helps offer a user-friendly interface for faster, efficient media consumption. The native integration of HTML5 through WebKit ensures NetFront Browser NX can be easily deployed on any Bewatec screen without additional development work.

“Infotainment systems provide patients with stimulation and entertainment, even if they are hospitalised for long periods of time”, says Daniel Stumpp, Head of Marketing & Innovation, Bewatec. “By delivering infotainment systems to hospitals, we have learned how important providing a user-friendly experience is for bed-ridden patients. Integrating ACCESS’ NetFront Browser NX enables us to provide a faster, richer entertainment experience for patients by leveraging the HTML5 standard. The open architecture of NetFront Browser NX enables us to support our own app store so we can make appropriate applications and content available to patients quickly and efficiently. ACCESS’ support for standards such as HbbTV means we can easily extend and tailor the platform to our customers’ needs for their patients.”

“Usability is key to any digital entertainment experience, but it’s even more important in the hospital environment, where the users of the system may have only a limited exposure to similar technologies,” said Dr Neale Foster, VP Global Sales, IA, ACCESS. “Our HTML5 WebKit-based platform delivers the best of WebKit and ACCESS supplements that with years of experience of embedded platforms and our video and broadcast expertise to help our customers deploy their products. We are happy that Bewatec chose to integrate our NetFront Browser NX to deliver best of breed services based on HTML5 for patients looking for in-hospital entertainment.”

NetFront Browser NX is an enhanced WebKit browser supporting and utilizing the latest HTML5 technologies to provide a UI engine that delivers the greatly enriched user experiences, including 3D graphics and animations, which modern user interfaces require to engage consumers.

NetFront™ Browser NX DTV Profile supports CE-HTML and has been also expanded to support a wide range of digital TV broadcasting and interactive TV standards, including HbbTV, BBC iPlayer v3, and the Japanese VOD Networked Digital Television specifications. NetFront Browser NX DTV Profile makes it possible for digital TV, set-top-box and device manufacturers as well as service providers to quickly bring to the market high value-added devices and services enabling delivery of diverse HTML5 content and applications such as portals, email, chat, games as well as full internet browsing capabilities.

About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global provider of advanced software solutions and services that enable operators, device manufacturers, content owners and consumers to make the most of today’s multi-screen, connected world. It provides software for mobiles, smartphones and tablets, connected TVs and set-top boxes in the connected home, automotive, digital publishing and networking markets. ACCESS solutions have shipped in over one billion devices around the world. Its product portfolio includes the NetFront™ Software Series and the ZebOS® network platform, providing customers faster time-to-market, flexibility and customizability; the PUBLUS™ for cloud-based, cross-platform digital publishing and the NetAd mobile advertising platform. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Mothers’ Index, 4813) and operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

About Bewatec
Based in Telgte, Germany, the BEWATEC Kommunikationstechnik GmbH is specialized in patient infotainment systems. Its online portal MyMediNet offers entertainment, education and communication for interactive patient care. Bewatec offers unique bedside terminal systems, successfully installed in over 800 hospitals worldwide. Bedside infotainment solutions from BEWATEC include terminals, phones, mountings and software with a focus on specific apps connecting patients with care givers and providers. 

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© 2013 ACCESS CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, and NetFront are registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries. ZebOS is the registered trademark and services mark of IP Infusion Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. DLNA is a registered trademark and DLNA Certified is a trademark of the Digital Living Network Alliance. Digital Living Network Alliance is a service mark of the Digital Living Network Alliance All other trademarks, logos and trade names mentioned in the document are the property of their respective owners.