Hot on the heals of the BBC's announcement that it wants to introduce a set-top box linking your TV to a broadband internet connection, Intel is expected to unveil devices which integrate with its 'widget channel' approach to web TV.
The Widget Channel is a software framework designed to help content service providers, Web developers and advertisers bring Internet services to TV which up until now has just been a software framework.
The Widget Channel has been developed in conjunction with Yahoo! and will allow consumers to watch a rich set of “TV Widgets,” or small Internet applications designed to run alongside the regular TV schedule while bringing content and information through the remote control. Users will be able to carry out tasks such as e-mailing friends, trading shares or checking the weather while watching programmes.
Intel are planning to display a range of prototype devices at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this January 2009. Mary Ragland, an Intel spokeswoman said: "prototypes shown at CES will bring The Widget Channel to life".
Intel's 'widget channel' approach is markedly different from the BBC, emphasizing the complementary nature of web integration with the TV. Intel beleive that bringing a full blown web browser to the TV would over complicate the whole experience. An intel spokeswoman Genevieve Bell said. "Users want a few attributes of the Web, like social networking features that could bring personalized information or help users connect to friends for a chat."
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