BNS Touch offers interactive telecommerce

Philip Wong | Jun 16, 2009

The Wiz.
(Credit: Philip Wong/CNET Asia)

This may be a dream come true for all shopaholics out there. Imagine a full interactive shopping experience from the comfort of your couch and a big-screen HDTV. That's exactly what Hong Kong-based Broadband Network Systems Ltd is promising via its new BNS Touch multimedia solution. Designed for Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) service providers and hospitality operators, this system allows hassle-free catalog shopping, hotel in-room dinning, and more for its users with just a few taps.

The BNS Touch comprises a custom settop box, a wireless pen-like device called The Wiz, and a paper catalog printed with invisible dot codes. All you need to do is "browse and tap" within a comfortable range of up to 4m from the settop box to make a purchase. Unlike a magazine or the usual "call and order" format, you can also make amendments to your shopping cart on-the-fly, as well as customize your order in terms of finishing and quantity. Check out our photo log below for more details.

BNS has just signed a memorandum of understanding with an Asia-based IPTV service provider and the BNS Touch is expected to undergo trials there. In addition, the system can be adapted for other markets that support digital cable TV and terrestrial broadcasts such as DVB-T.

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