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Intel Corporation: Intel And Yahoo! To Bring The Internet To Television; TV Widgets Bring "Best of the Internet" Experience to Complement TV Viewing(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RDATE:20082008 INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, SAN FRANCISCO -- Intel Corporation and Yahoo! Inc. today previewed plans for the Widget Channel, 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. The Widget Channel will be powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, a fifth-generation applications platform that will enable TV watchers to interact with and enjoy a rich set of "TV Widgets," or small Internet applications designed to complement and enhance the traditional TV watching experience and bring content, information and community features available on the Internet within easy reach of the remote control. The Widget Channel will also allow developers to use JAVASCRIPT , XML*, HTML* and Adobe Flash technology to write TV applications for the platform, extending the power and compatibility of PC application developer programs to TV and related CE devices. In addition to supporting the Yahoo! Widget Engine, Yahoo! will also provide consumers Yahoo!-branded TV Widgets that are customized based on its category-leading Internet services. TV Widgets will enable consumers to engage in a variety of experiences, such as 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. TV Widgets can be personalized because they will be based upon popular Internet services such as Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports, Blockbuster and eBay that viewers have customized for use in their daily lives. "TV will fundamentally change how we talk about, imagine and experience the Internet," said Eric Kim, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the company's Digital Home Group. "No longer just a passive experience unless the viewer wants it that way, Intel and Yahoo! are proposing a way where the TV and Internet are as interactive, and seamless, as possible. Our close work has produced an exciting application framework upon which the industry can collaborate, innovate and differentiate. This effort is one of what we believe will be many exciting new ways to bring the Internet to the TV, and it really shows the potential of what consumers can look forward to." "On the PC and mobile devices, Yahoo! is a leading starting point for millions of consumers around the world," said Marco Boerries, executive vice president, Connected Life, Yahoo! Inc. "Yahoo! aims to extend this leadership to the emerging world of Internet-connected TV, which we call the Cinematic Internet. By partnering with leaders like Intel, we plan to combine the Internet benefits of open user choice, community, and personalization with the performance and scale embodied in the Intel Architecture to transform traditional TV into something bigger, better and more exciting than ever before. By using the popular Yahoo! Widget Engine to power the Widget Channel, we intend to provide an opportunity for all developers and publishers to create new experiences that can reach millions of TV viewers globally. Yahoo! plans to enable the Cinematic Internet ecosystem, which will benefit consumers, device makers, advertisers and publishers." Widget Channel Framework and TV Widget Developers 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. To help create new TV Widgets for the Widget Channel, Intel and Yahoo! plan to make a development kit available to developers, including TV and other CE device makers, advertisers and publishers. The Widget Channel will also include a Widget Gallery, to which developers can publish their TV Widgets across multiple TV and related CE devices and through which consumers can view and select the TV Widgets they would like to use. 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*, 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. Additional information on the Widget Channel framework and the Yahoo! Widget Engine can be found at www.intel.com/go/celink and http://connectedtv.yahoo.com/newsroom. Intel Architecture Intel Architecture (IA) is at the heart of millions of PC-, MID- and server-based Internet clients, which has helped enable the proliferation of Internet-based content and services while providing users with an uncompromised Internet experience. Accelerating the delivery of the Internet to the TV, Intel today extended performance, headroom and connectivity of IA into a new family of "purpose built" system-on-chip (SoC) media processors for Internet-connected CE devices, including optical media players, U.S.cable set-top-boxes, digital TVs and other connected audio visual products. Intel's first CE IA-based SoC, the Intel Media Processor CE 3100 (formerly "Canmore"), is a highly integrated chip which includes a high-performance IA core and other functional I/O blocks to enable high definition video decode and viewing, home-theater-quality audio, 3-D graphics, and the fusion of the Internet and TV experiences. The Widget Channel software framework is designed to work with a new generation of Internet-connected CE devices based on Intel's purpose built SoC. The hardware and software compatibility of IA also provides support for broadcast and Internet content. Intel also plans to release the Intel Media Processor CE 3100-based hardware development system called the "Innovation Platform" which will provide the initial development and validation environment for developers of TV Widgets on the Widget Channel. An Open Framework Finally, Intel and Yahoo! are working with industry members to promote the development of open and consistent standards necessary to grow the TV Widget ecosystem. As part of their efforts, the companies are sharing an early version of a development kit for the Widget Channel with selected TV Widget developers now. About Intel Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and http://blogs.intel.com. About Yahoo! Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! is focused on powering its communities of users, advertisers, publishers, and developers by creating indispensable experiences built on trust. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information about Yahoo!, visit pressroom.yahoo.com. NOTE TO EDITORS: photos, videos and more facts available at www.intel.com/pressroom/idf and http://connectedtv.yahoo.com/newsroom. Forward Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning the Widget Channel and the Yahoo! Widget Engine (including without limitation the statements contained in the quotations from management in this press release), as well as Yahoo!'s strategic and operational plans. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the expected or planned further implementations of the Widget Channel and the Yahoo! Widget Engine described may be delayed, may not ultimately be implemented, or if implemented may not be successful; consumers may not accept or respond as positively to the Widget Channel and the Yahoo! Widget Engine as anticipated; and competitors may offer similar competing services. More information about potential factors that could affect Yahoo!'s business and financial results is included under the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in Yahoo!'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as amended, which is on file with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov. Supporting Industry Quotes (Alphabetical Order): "A growing number of consumers today are looking to have entertainment at their fingertips," said Keith Morrow, Blockbuster Chief Information Officer. "The idea of delivering our growing library of digital content to consumers directly to their TVs with the Widget Channel is very exciting. The interface is simple to use and would make it easy for consumers to access movies and other entertainment from Blockbuster. This concept fits perfectly with our strategy of providing convenient access to media entertainment across a multi-channel distribution platform." "From Star Trek to sporting events to breaking news, CBS Interactive deliversinformation and entertainment consumers want - when and wherever they want it," said Anthony Soohoo, Senior Vice President & GM, Entertainment, CBS Interactive."There has been a lot of talk about bringing interactive Internet content to the television, but none of the approaches can match the ease of use, flexibility and level of customization of the Widget Channel framework. Working with Intel and other industry leaders on this open platform, we are happy to be pioneering a new way to provide interactive content and entertainment to consumers." "As online entertainment continues to grow in popularity, we still see consumers struggle with how to manage their content once it's been acquired," said David Cook, president and COO of CinemaNow. "The new Widget Channel framework will provide an easy, yet rich experience for consumers to access Internet-delivered entertainment on their TVs. At the same time, it also offers a new way to distribute digital content to the latest devices, making it even more accessible to consumers." "Cinequest is all about connecting people with their passion for independent, maverick films," said Halfdan Hussey, co-founder & executive director, Cinequest, Inc. "We see an amazing opportunity in the Widget Channel to not only distribute film favorites from the world's top festivals, but to elevate our digital delivery through the framework's sophisticated, yet easy to use interface. Now, films that faced extinction after their festival debut will have a new, innovative and enjoyable way to connect with audiences which we are eager to pioneer." "We believe an open platform that delivers interactive TV applications will be a key driver for our industry over the next several years," said Albert Cheng, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, Disney-ABC Television Group. "As the leading provider of interactive advertising online with the ABC.com full-episode player, we're excited about the possibilities that the Widget Channel platform offers. It provides a broad canvas which allows content and entertainment providers such as ABC to develop interactive applications around TV content and gives advertisers new and unique ways to deliver their messages, while bringing consumers an intuitive new way to enjoy TV." "eBay is proud to work with both Intel and Yahoo! by creating a TV Widget based on the Yahoo! Widget Engine for the Widget Channel. The eBay TV Widget enables users to search, browse, monitor real-time eBay activity and bid on listings from their TV's. As part of our eBay Anywhere strategy, enabling users to access eBay content through their TV is an exciting new way to keep our users engaged," said Matt Ackley, VP of Internet Marketing of eBay. "eBay is happy to participate in the announcement of TV Widgets and the Widget Channel and we are excited to partner with Intel and Yahoo!" "Intel's new Widget Channel framework promises to provide a powerful new way to bring the Internet and TV together and enable new interactive services for the home" said John Garrity, RF and Photonics Manager, Electronics & Energy Conservation, GE Research. "GE Research is pleased to announce our collaboration with Intel to develop a home energy management capability for this exciting new platform which has the promise to provide solutions for reduced energy consumption as well as a means to provide intelligent demand response." "As the market leader in media investment management, we have an obligation to drive innovation and shape the industry. Our strategic partnership with Intel will serve to catalyze the development of advanced advertising solutions for the benefit of our clients and industry stake holders," said Irwin Gotlieb, CEO, Group M. "We fully support open initiatives such as the Widget Channel that bring enhanced personalized content to consumers," said Nick Chakalos, senior director, strategy and business development at Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business. "We look forward to the creation of an industry standard development framework which will help accelerate the deployment of this new class of services on a wide cross section of CE devices." "Through its platforms and partnerships, MTV Networks strives to give audiences unparalleled interactivity with its content, and the introduction of TV widgets for MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon further that goal," said Alice Kim, Senior Vice President of Digital Distribution and Partner Relations, MTV Networks. "By partnering with Intel and Yahoo! on the Widget Channel, we're bringing the online experience to the television screen, and giving our fans an entirely new way to enjoy our content." "Bringing the Internet experience to the television will deliver amazing new services to consumers," said Mr. Kevin Kim, Vice President of Marketing, Samsung ElectronicsTelecommunications System Division. "With the new CE SoC Intel media processor and Widget Channel framework, consumer electronics and service providers can create closer bonds with their subscribers by delivering a new experience to that allows them to easily enjoy, share and access Internet content through their TV." "Merging the very different user experience of the Internet with that of the TV is no small task. Making that experience an easy to use, entertaining and memorable experience is an even greater one," said Eric Breitbard, Senior Vice President and Group Director for Schematic. "The Widget Channel platform is a very impressive user interface for both developers who want a flexibility and speed to market, but it also provides consumers with a memorable, unique approach to enjoying Internet content and entertainment on their TV. It is great to be a part of the dawn of a new era for the TV - as we believe Widget Channel will change the way consumers see their televisions." "Showtime is always looking for ways to bring new and exciting content to our subscribers," stated Robert Hayes, SVP and GM, Digital Media for Showtime Networks. "We are eager to work with Yahoo! and Intel to extend our web content using TV Widgets and the Widget Channel. Showtime plans to offer viewers web content around their favorite original programming including Weeds, Dexter and The Tudors. TV Widgets allow Showtime a simple and powerful way to engage users more deeply in the TV programs they enjoy." "Intel and Yahoo! are helping us realize the potential ubiquity of our simple utility by bringing Twitter to the television through a TV Widget," said Biz Stone, Co-founder of Twitter. "Transforming television into an interactive device for sharing real-time updates among friends, family, and other trusted sources is an exciting prospect that extends Twitter's reach into an important arena." CONTACT: Claudine Mangano, Intel Corporation Tel: +1 408 765 0146 e-mail: [email protected] Lucas Mast, Yahoo! Inc Tel: +1 408 507 1239 e-mail: [email protected] Stephanie Bailey, Senior Account Director, Hill & Knowlton Tel: +44 (0)20 7413 3717 Tel: +44 (0)20 7413 3000 Tel: +44 (0)79 4727 7115 Fax: +44 (0)20 7413 3220 e-mail: [email protected] WWW: http://www.hillandknowlton.co.uk ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd. |