Intel, Microsoft to Align Efforts on Interactive TV Programming
SANTA CLARA, Calif., and REDMOND, Wash., April 8, 1998 — Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. today announced they will work together to provide an integrated platform for broadcasting interactive television content to PCs and other devices.
To further this objective, Intel’s Intercast® software will be integrated into appropriate Microsoft® products, starting with the WebTV® for Windows® feature of the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system.
WebTV for Windows provides TV capabilities on the PC and supports a wide variety of services, including data broadcasting, an electronic program guide and interactive TV programming. Intel’s Intercast technology allows television programmers to create full-screen interactive programming by combining TV with digital enhancements based on HTML
Intel and Microsoft view this as the first step toward development of a common framework for enhancing TV programming with data that will be available on a variety of platforms, including PCs equipped with TV tuners. The initial focus will be on analog broadcasts, expanding to digital broadcasting as the digital infrastructure develops.
“As broadcasters contemplate the move to digital TV, they are looking for ways to get on the air today with interactive programming,” said Ron Whittier, senior vice president and general manager, content group, Intel. “By working together, Intel and Microsoft can provide a unified environment for the development of next-generation content.”
“Integrating Intercast technology into Windows 98 will provide an incentive for producers to create interactive content more quickly,” said Craig Mundie, senior vice president, consumer platform division, Microsoft. “Consumers will benefit from having more content to choose from, and producers will have a larger target audience for this new content.”
Intel, the world’s largest chipmaker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at (http://www.intel.com/pressroom/) .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
WebTV is a registered trademark of WebTV Networks Inc.
Intercast is a registered trademark of Intel Corp.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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