Intel and Yahoo are developing software that allows TVs to display web content, enabling viewers to check the profiles of actors in the movie being aired without interrupting their TV watching experience.
On August 20th, local time, Eric Kim, Senior Vice President of Intel, announced at the "Intel Developer Forum" held in San Francisco that TV viewers could click on icons on the screen with a remote control to access news stories, sports scores, or weather forecasts from the web. This software will be provided free of charge to TV service providers.
The significant drop in computer processor prices has increased the competitive pressure on Intel, forcing it to seek growth in home appliances. Meanwhile, Yahoo's provision of content via TV may attract more TV viewers to its online advertisements.
Kim said that accessing web content through a TV requires a set-top box device. Intel will sell chips for this device, which is expected to hit the market next year. Afterward, this capability will be directly embedded into set-top boxes and TVs.
Comcast stated that it would begin testing this service in the first half of next year.
Kim also mentioned that Intel chips have the ability to display two HD programs simultaneously on the screen, allowing viewers to operate each program separately, pausing or fast-forwarding them as desired. Samsung has already received samples and is developing products based on such chips. Intel will begin mass production of system-on-a-chip processors in a few weeks.
Source: eNet Silicon Valley Dynamics