Intel to release its Internet TV this year, comes with set-top box and a camera
Intel has confirmed its plans to sell a set-top box directly to the public later this year. The set-top box comes along with a streaming TV service and a camera, which is designed to watch you while you’re watching the TV.
Intel Media, a new group formed with employees picked up from companies like Netflix/Apple/Google and others, will be heading the project. Subscribers will get access to live and catch-up TV as well as on-demand content – all delivered direct from Intel over their broadband connections. The device will also include a camera that will watch users as they watch TV, possibly for targeting ads. Intel says that uses for the camera could include synchronizing viewing with viewers across the country for a “real social experience” and to provide personalised show recommendations. This, however, raises privacy concerns as not many would like a camera watching them in their living rooms.
Erik Huggers, VP at Intel Media, admitted that the company has been working on the device and associated services for the last 12 months. Huggers pointed out that the camera can be switched off and it will have a physical shutter on the front, which can be closed. While this can alleviate the fears associated with being watched, Intel still has an uphill battle with public-relations.
Intel will be embracing the HEVC codec instead of H.264, which should provide better video over less bandwidth, but Intel agrees that providing support over multiple devices would pose a challenge.
Source: AllThingsD
Salman Ravoof
Salman Ravoof is a freelance writer, a mechanical engineer and an avid science and technology enthusiast. He likes creativity and is a great fan of fantasy and sci-fi genre. When not busy, he revels in experimenting and spends most of his time pondering about the existence of reality.