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Yahoo-Intel Channel - Coming Soon To a TV Near You
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The big news today is that Intel and Yahoo have partnered to launch a new interactive TV channel. I went WoW after reading the news. I have always believed that TV, as a consumer device has a lot more potential. Whenever I hear companies (or people) doing some innovative stuff for TV, I am hopeful of a new connected and more responsive scenario. Last time it happened was the with the announcement of “The Venice Project“. The team comprising of the people that made Skype and Kazaa got togather and promised that what they are doing had “something to do with TV”. I had great trust in the team and was sure what they meant was Web on TV. Few months later, The Venice Project (TVP) was renamed “Joost” and it was revealed that they want to bring TV to the Web. With a stand-alone software, ofcourse. Although, the end result was, likable, it was not something that could have excited a large number of people.
So today, after reading about Yahoo and Intel attempting to do that , I was again hopeful. And from what I have read so far, it looks my prayers won’t go unanswered this time.
So What Are They Doing?
Well, Yahoo, using its Yahoo widgets engine, is attempting to launch a TV channel based on Yahoo Widgets. It won’t be a usual TV channel, ofcourse, but a more interactive and responsive channel. This is an attempt to bring Web to the TV. So the Yahoo TV channel will have interactive features. For example, a viewer might request for a scrolling stock updates from Yahoo Finance. Or, for a film review from Yahoo Movies. May be, a dosage of Dilbert comics from Yahoo Widgets. You get the idea.
And what is Intel doing here?
Well, the channel, as I said before, won’t be a regular TV channel. It needs specialized hardare to run on. More specialized than a conventional TV set. For now, the Yahoo channel will be running on devices using Intel’s platform as the hardware technology. Intel will be working closely with Yahoo to develop the specifications and the end product. Yes, this means you cannot see the Yahoo-Intel channel on your TV set.
When will it be?
No dates have been released as of yet, but considering this looks like a major project, the development should take some time. Then there are other issues like convincing the different brands to make TV sets that can support such TV channels. Also the regulatory issues and the broadcaster issues will have to be sorted out.
What do they get from it.
Well, Yahoo increases its presence on more screens. More people watching Yahoo programming means more ad revenues for Yahoo. As for Intel, well, if this takes off, we can have a high demand for Intel-powered TVs. So, more business for Intel, too.
Our Thoughts ?
Lets hope this time they get it right. TV programming has evolved for sure, but the TV set, over the years hasn’t evolved much. Although too much of interactivity might kill the whole fun out of TV, too. I mean, who wants to have a pop up right when watching “Jurassic Park”. I hope they will take care of issues like this.
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