|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
updated January 6, 2010
|
| |
 |
Alumnus Calls on Rose-Hulman Students to
Help Develop iPhone Applications for CNN
|
| |
|
Bob Schukai doesn’t need to be reminded that these are turbulent times in
the crowded world of cable television. It is his job to keep one of the
largest entertainment companies on the forefront of technology and meeting
the demands of viewers desiring news and information 24 hours a day.
 |
|
Staying On Cutting Edge: As vice president of wireless/broadband
technologies for Turner Broadcasting System Inc., Bob Schukai, a 1986
electrical engineering alumnus, examines ways that advanced technology
innovations can enhance CNN and other Turner properties. |
The 1986 electrical engineering alumnus is vice president of
wireless/broadband technologies for Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a media
entity that provides news, entertainment, animation and young adult
environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the
world. The Atlanta-based company started the groundbreaking network, CNN,
and is also home to familiar entertainment networks such as TBS, TNT,
Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, Adult Swim and truTV and operates
the digital properties for NASCAR, NBA, and the PGA Tour. Schukai is part of
Turner Broadcasting’s research and development staff, examining advanced
technology innovations -- with a global focus.
That’s why the Missouri native could be found in the middle of the
Australian outback trying to download video from CNN’s web page on his
Blackberry and other mobile communication devices –- similar to the popular
Verizon mobile telephone commercials. Instead, Schukai asked “Can I see CNN
now?”
“We want Turner programming content to be accessible 24 hours a day anywhere
in the world,” he says. “We’re constantly seeking ways that technology can
enhance the viewing experience, and getting news faster and cheaper from
wherever it’s happening.”
The search brought Schukai back to Rose-Hulman as a team of computer science
and software engineering students developed a prototype application for the
iPhone enabling users to send stories into CNN’s iReport service. Most
user-generated content is placed on the iReport.com web site, much like
youtube.com, but several stories have been used in CNN’s global news
coverage.
“CNN has become a world leader in news coverage through live, immediate news
content. The iPhone makes delivery of CNN possible –- from Terre Haute,
Indiana to Tel Aviv, Israel,” Schukai stated. “We’re excited about the
capabilities of the iPhone in enhancing our operations. It’s advantageous
that we utilize new technologies for distribution across all of Turner’s
brands.
“Mobile devices have joined the key ring and billfold as important staples
in a person’s daily lives. That’s why we (Turner Broadcasting) are putting
so much resource into research and development in these areas,” he says.
“The future of media is making news and information content available
through mobile and broadband technology, in addition to cable television.
That’s what is on my radar screen for the future.”
 |
|
IPhone Innovators: Developing software applications for Turner
Broadcasting iReport project were Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
students (from left) Bobby Bennett, Isaac Heyveld, Turner Vice President Bob
Schukai, Derek Baker and Caleb Allen. Missing is Sean Feeney. |
Working with Schukai on the iPhone development project were 2009 graduates
Isaac Heyveld (team leader), Derek Baker, Bobby Bennett and Sean Feeney, and
Caleb Allen, a senior computer science major. Two other student groups are
working on projects this school year. Rose-Hulman joins universities in
Georgia and the United Kingdom as conducting research activities for Turner
Broadcasting.
“This (iPhone reporting) is new territory for us and the students are
learning on the job. This is an area filled with boundless opportunities,”
Schukai said. “These students will have marketable skills. There are a
handful of people in the world that can program the iPhone for applications,
and four of them have graduated this year from Rose-Hulman. As an alumnus,
I’m proud of that fact.”
Schukai joined Turner Broadcasting four years ago after spending 18 years at
Motorola, spending time in the mobile phone group and departing as director
of 3G strategic and business development units in the corporation’s United
Kingdom operations center. He is now in charge of 10 Turner technical staff
members at offices in Atlanta, England and Hong Kong.
“I walked away from Motorola and haven’t looked back,” he stated. “There’s a
point in your career where you can be a lifer or do something cool and
different. Every day I walk into the CNN’s world headquarters and say, ‘Wow,
I’m at the center of everything that’s happening in the world.”
Schukai is a second-generation Rose-Hulman alumnus (his father, Robert, was
a 1960 graduate; uncle, Charles, was a 1957 graduate) who serves as class
agent for the Class of 1986.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
