Press release
Cable, TV Broadcasters, Movie Studios, CE manufacturers and Service and Content Providers Harness Power of Intel® Media Processor CE 3100
INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, Las Vegas, Jan. 8, 2009 - Intel showed broad industry support today that brings a variety of rich Internet applications to the TV through new connected consumer electronics (CE) devices running on the Intel® Media Processor CE 3100. The new Intel processor is the first in a family of purpose-built System on Chips (SoCs) designed specifically for the CE industry.
Eric Kim, senior vice president of Intel's Digital Home Group, outlined the company's CE vision last August. He said the company plans to bring Internet-based content to the TV through the power of CE-centric Intel processors and a new TV applications framework called the Widget Channel, developed with Yahoo! Inc.* Today, a variety of CE and entertainment companies are embracing this new opportunity.
"Intel is working with leading-edge CE manufacturers, broadcasters, movie studios and content and service providers to deliver a new connected TV experience," Kim said. "This effort is aimed at enhancing today's traditional TV watching with complementary widgets that will expand content options, deliver real-time information and offer interactive features, all of which can be personalized to fit the viewer's needs. The Widget Channel combined with the Media Processor CE 3100 provides the performance and flexibility needed for industry innovation, which can be seen from the demonstrations today showing connected CE devices running a broad range of popular TV widgets."
Internet on TV- From Vision to Reality
Intel is working with major broadcasters, including CBS*, who believe that the Widget Channel will create an opportunity for content providers and CE companies to work together to help consumers connect more deeply to the content they watch. CBS is exploring the Widget Channel framework as an additional channel for its content. The network showed prototypes at CES that will provide its viewers more choices and interaction and increased flexibility on when and where they can watch rich content.
Connected CE Technology Demonstrations
Showcasing the potential to enjoy Internet applications while watching cable TV, Intel and Comcast Corporation* demonstrated the integration of the Widget Channel with Comcast's interactive program guide. This proof-of-concept ran a wide array of TV Widgets and accessed Internet-linked applications on the Comcast guide that uses tru2way* technology, a Java-based platform with open application programming interface specifications.
"The cable television experience has continued to evolve and become more robust," said Tony Werner, chief technology officer, Comcast. "We've already witnessed an explosion of functionality and choices of programming thanks to innovations like video on demand. As cable providers move toward open standards with tru2way technology, applications like the Widget Channel could enable more convenient and interactive applications to be developed and integrated into the consumer television viewing experience."
