Vying for Remote Control

[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Steven Levingston]
The marriage of the television and the computer moved a step closer yesterday when the giant chipmaker Intel unveiled its vision for using a new technology that blends the two devices. Intel said it is working with more than 40 companies around the world in the movie, music, television, gaming and photo-editing fields to deliver content to computers using the technology called Viiv (rhymes with five). Due out early next year, Viiv-equipped computers are designed to control the overall entertainment experience. They turn a television into a computer screen with the capability of performing any computer task, including searching the Internet. Operated by remote control, the system will be able to show a movie on the television while downloading music for later listening. The computer will turn on instantly like a television and with an add-on feature will record, pause and rewind live television programs. An entertainment center operated by a Viiv-platform computer will be able to connect to other devices, such as DVD players and portable media players. Yesterday's announcement intensifies the competition among cable companies, game makers, computer manufacturers, software firms, retailers, entertainment giants and Internet search engines that are all scrambling to find a way to dominate -- or at least carve out a niche in -- the digital home-entertainment hub. Companies have hurried to form alliances to strengthen their positions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113002118.html
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