I think we can put the exclamation point back on Yahoo . . . for now, at least?
Friday, August 22nd, 2008I have to be 100% honest, I was excited about Intel’s announcement on “TVidgets” during IDF Wednesday in SF, but have to say that this deal is definitely skewed. Yahoo has been generating some pretty depressing press over the past half year and it’s deals like this one that elevate it - so, I guess you could say the exclamation point should be back on the name, for now?
I’m definitely not their target audience because I don’t even own a TV, but if I did, I’m sure that I’d want to surf the net while watching episodes of The Office or Entourage - I’m a multi-tasker like that.
Intel is really the brains and innovation behind this advanced, yet logical enhancement to in-home entertainment. The “Widget Channel” is a television (TV) application framework optimized for TV and related consumer electronics (CE) devices that use the Intel Architecture. The Widget Channel will allow consumers to enjoy rich Internet applications designed for the TV while watching their favorite TV programs. Underlying the Widget Channel will be a powerful set of platform technologies, including the Yahoo! Widget Engine and core libraries that expose the powerful functions enabled by the Intel Architecture. The Widget Channel framework will use established Internet technologies to dramatically lower the barrier of entry for developing applications optimized for TV.
TV Widgets will enable consumers to engage in a variety of experiences, such as communicating and engaging on their hi5 accounts, watching videos, tracking their favorite stocks or sports teams, interacting with friends, or staying current on news and information. Viewers will be able to use TV Widgets to deepen their enjoyment of the programming they are watching, discover new content and services, or share their favorites with friends and family.
Intel and Yahoo! are working with a range of industry-leading companies that are planning on developing and deploying TV Widgets, including Blockbuster*, CBS Interactive*, CinemaNow*, Cinequest*, Comcast*, Disney-ABC Television Group*, eBay*, GE*, Group M*, Joost*, MTV*, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.*, Schematic*, Showtime*, Toshiba* and Twitter*. These and other companies and individuals will be able to innovate, differentiate and deploy TV Widgets across multiple TV and related CE devices using the Widget Channel framework.
Here are some pics of the presentation on Intel TVidgets:
