Intel To Launch Paid Web TV Service With Set-Top Box 70
New submitter kdryer39 writes "In an unexpected but kind-of-makes-sense move, chip-maker Intel has decided to delve into the TV world by creating a set-top box and a paid Internet television service. The box will contain an HD camera and microphone for various 'novel applications.' Intel expects to provide various live and on-demand content, as well as re-inventing the wheel by changing the way people search for content. How will they do this, and where will they get the content from? Unfortunately, we don't know...and apparently neither does Intel. Erik Hugger, head of the newly-created Intel Media group, has stated that negotiations with content providers are in process, but gave no specific details. Is this an effort for the company to re-invent itself? Perhaps, but either way, it'll be one of those things that will be interesting to follow as it develops."
The "novel applications" for the on-board camera include identifying who's watching the TV and providing programming it thinks they'll like. At one point, Huggers said, "There's a scenario where the TV recognizes that it's you and says 'Hey, I know what you like. I know what you want to watch', versus the environment we're in today where the TV literally is not interested in you at all.' Maybe I'm getting old, but I like that my appliances aren't particularly interested in me. (Haven't they seen Maximum Overdrive?!)
Re:Not going to happen. (Score:4, Insightful)
Stalking (Score:5, Insightful)
This open us up to a whole new way of stalking!
No more will we be going through people's garbage to find out about them. We will pint out pictures of their faces, wear them as masks and see what they like watching when they are alone.
Hmm its 6 o'clock, I wonder what Natalie Portman would like to watch?
"Set Top Box" Makes No Sense (Score:5, Insightful)
Look. We all have flat panel televisions now. Exactly how are we supposed to put these boxes on top of them?
You need to call these something else.
Under set box?
Accessory box?
Smart TV box?
Or start building a shelf on top of the TV.
Probably will fail because... (Score:3, Insightful)
Intel is kind of a no compromise company. They want the power..and the margins. Look at the rest of their businesses:
They own a huge chunk of the margins on PCs and servers, and basically dictate to OEMs what their products will be.
They kicked Nvidia out of the chipset/motherboard market because, y'know, can't have that.
They wouldn't budge on prices for chips in the original Xbox, which doomed it to failure and havn't sniffed the console market since.
They're in and out of mobile, mostly because they can't line up any partners.
And now they're going to play nice with the content/distribution cartels? The path to their door it littered with the corpses of start-ups and wunderkinds that only needed the Ace of Content for the staight flush.
Don't blame me if I don't hold my breath there.