Microsoft licenses Jinni video recommendation engine

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) licensed semantic video search technology from Israeli technology firm Jinni, which could one day allow viewers with an Xbox or cable set-top running Microsoft software to search for TV shows and movies based on categories such as mood, plot, and style.

Click here for a video demonstrating the Jinni video engine.

Most cable and satellite providers use interactive program guides that allow subscribers to search for content based on names of actors or specific titles. Jinni is taking a unique approach with its recommendation engine, allowing viewers to use language similar to what they might use while using Google or another search engine.

For example, a search for "gangster movies" would return several movies in that genre, ranging from The Godfather and The Departed to gangster comedy Johnny Dangerously. Jinni is able to return results by tagging TV series and movies with more than 2,000 tags that describe mood, plot and style of various titles.

Microsoft didn't say how it will incorporate Jinni in its video offerings. But it's likely that the company, which allows viewers with an Xbox 360 to access content from Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) and other online video providers, will use Jinni to strengthen its video offering. The software giant, which also makes software for advanced digital cable set-tops, could also use Jinni to market a recommendation engine for use in cable interactive program guides.

For more:
- see the news release

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