Peacock, NBCUniversal's platform, announces a vertical video format specifically for live sports. The initiative will begin with NBA games this spring, allowing users to watch the game on their smartphones without rotating the screen. Access will be through the Courtside Live option within the app. This move is part of the company's strategy to adapt its content to mobile consumption habits.
The algorithm behind the cropping and automatic tracking 🤖
The functionality is based on an algorithm that processes the traditional horizontal television signal. This system automatically crops the image to create a vertical frame. Additionally, it identifies and tracks the main action, such as the ball or key players, zooming in when necessary. The technical goal is to keep the focus on the game without manual intervention, optimizing the experience for a vertical screen.
Goodbye neck pain, hello wrist pain 😅
Finally, we can hold the phone in the natural way it was designed for: as if we were writing an eternal message. The era of rotating the device and having it fall on you every time you relax is over. Now the battle will be against the thumb, which will have to scroll through the vertical screen trying to find the pause controls among so many moving bodies. Undeniable progress.