Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) continues to make a big push in the app arena. According to Light Reading, the cable company has launched Family Point, an OTT family text messaging and calendar app for both iOS and Android-based smartphones.
Family Point is free to customers and lets them send private text and voice messages in a timeline format. The app also has a shared calendar feature that will support up to seven user accounts.
Similar to other over-the-top messaging apps, Family Point lets users circumvent the wireless operator text messaging plans, making it an unpopular solution for wireless carriers.
The Family Point app works with both Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iOS and Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android smartphones running either the iOS 6.0 or Android 4.0 operating system. Comcast said there is an online version of the app that will be released later this year.
This isn't the only app Comcast has been working on. The company also is testing a new iPad and iPhone application which allows subscribers to access programming from a cloud-based DVR.
According to Light Reading, Family Point was created in Comcast Silicon Valley, which is where the company has created other apps as well.
Interestingly, Comcast launched a joint innovation lab with its wireless partner Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC). The goal of this venture is to develop next-generation products for cable subscribers and smartphone users.
The companies have said little about the products they are developing at the joint innovation lab, but in March, Comcast said in a job listing that it was looking for a "director of product management mobility solution" to develop "magical experiences that move seamlessly across all of your digital devices."
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