Intel and Yahoo! envision embedded internet TV

We're not sure who let Yahoo! into Intel's party in San Francisco, but the two sure are getting along great. Much to the chagrin of Mark Cuban, these two actually believe that there's a future in internet TV, particularly if you force it down people's throats. Intel spent the bulk of its time talking up the Media Processor CE 3100 (formerly known as Canmore), which would theoretically be installed within HDTVs and enable users to access internet-based content without the need for an additional set-top-box ('course, the STB is still optional). That's where Yahoo! comes in -- it's hoping that its Widget Channel will encourage users to utilize its services when watching re-runs or other lackluster material in order to get news, weather and other related information right on the living room set. Not that this is a totally new concept, but these two surely have the power to push it one step further. Lots more information and pictures in the links below.

Update: It's official... surprise!

Read - Intel / Yahoo preview plans for Widget Channel
Read - Images of the tech in action
Read - Gigabyte Intel box (first product to use the CE 3100)

[Vicente @ Aug 20th 2008 3:43PM]

I think is a good idea

[ByronGman @ Aug 20th 2008 4:28PM]

I too think its a great idea...

My only problem is that Yahoo makes a lot of shit services.... the time has long since passed when they were "cutting edge".


Hopefully this their resurgence into useful technology, but my gut just tells me they are just going to smear a cool new idea with their crapware.

[Setnev @ Aug 20th 2008 6:32PM]

Intel is a good idea to have to back the project, but to provide the content should be Google. They have so many web services (Google video, maps, images, webmail, etc) and the best part is they are free. Yahoo is all washed up as far as advanced internet and mobile technologies.

[Decab @ Aug 20th 2008 3:44PM]

kinda reminds me of WebTv... that one box you used to hook up to the tv to surf the web at 56k!!

maybe that company back then did have something special... just didnt have tv tech to support it!!!

[Krobar @ Aug 20th 2008 4:17PM]

Yeah actually webtv is still around, and sadly still being used by hundreds of horny, lonely, older people. At least based on the ones who join the IRC network I hang out on. (Which is funny too)

[ByronGman @ Aug 20th 2008 4:29PM]

@ Krobar

And I'm sure you hang out with them just for laughs right? ;-)

[Setnev @ Aug 20th 2008 6:33PM]

Yeah, look what happened to WebTV, it got taken over by Microsoft. Me thinks me see the future for Yahoo! if they pursue this project.

[Jason @ Aug 21st 2008 12:35AM]

Sorry, Krobar, but I think we all read that as saying, "Hi, come check me out on IRC on #hornylonelyolderpeople channel. Look for Krobar, behbeh, yeah."

[CraigJ @ Aug 20th 2008 3:44PM]

This is inevitable, once the tube are big enough, and the dump trucks are fast enough, all information will come from the Internet.

[CraigJ @ Aug 20th 2008 3:46PM]

Should have said, all information will be delivered by the Internet...

[YoMamma @ Aug 20th 2008 4:08PM]

Nope, not a new idea - patent lawyers; on your mark, get set, GO!

[Jamus @ Aug 20th 2008 4:21PM]

Before getting too happy with it... Have you thought about what kind of craptafic and overabundant advertising this could force you to watch? If folks worry about cookies in a browser, this will blow their mind.

[Slyver @ Aug 20th 2008 4:29PM]

Why does the box vaguely reminds me of a Wii?

[Rogue_Genius @ Aug 20th 2008 4:49PM]

My guess? The minimalist exterior, white color motif and blue LED.

Those might have something to do with it.

[digitallysick @ Aug 20th 2008 4:47PM]

Seems like a bad idea, it will just be a way for you to pay for sat tv, or cable and get spammed with ads at the same time. Yahoo doesn't even have a decent service worth having. Especially on my tv

[Neo @ Aug 20th 2008 8:03PM]

You are digitally backward if you haven't heard of Flickr, Yahoo News or Finance. If you meant porn by service worth having than you are out of luck!

[Chris @ Aug 20th 2008 5:08PM]

Sun microsystems tried to do something like this 15-20 years ago, and all they got was java!

[Frankenstein Black @ Aug 20th 2008 5:20PM]

MEH! This exists already. Its called Tivo which, in addition to normal broadcast TV (has azz loads of video web content, endless video push blogs that you can subscribe to, Revision 3 programs, Amazon unboxed, Youtube, etc.) the list goes on. And it does a good job with categories and the ability to subscribe to the stuff that you're interested in. My question is, who the heck has time for all of this endless tv viewing? Just sayin...

[Neo @ Aug 21st 2008 3:29PM]

"My question is, who the heck has time for all of this endless tv viewing? Just sayin.."
The same guys who have enough time to upload and
pirated videos on youtube

[Krobar @ Aug 20th 2008 5:39PM]

@ByronGman shh, don't tell, my wife hangs out there too :x

[Tony @ Aug 20th 2008 6:07PM]

Considering the current trend of ISPs to charge extra after for bandwidth used I don't see internet TV going anywhere except out the proverbial window.

[Noah Kravitz @ Aug 20th 2008 6:19PM]

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YssuBHqDts8

[Rattel @ Aug 21st 2008 10:37PM]

Is there going to be a monthly fee to use this service? If there is, there might be a fee to download those HD movies and you probably only able to keep them for a few days, on top of that you're already paying for your internet. People are not made of money.