Intel promises Viiv will enable broad choice of on-demand enterainment

As part of its forthcoming Intel Viiv technology PC platform, Intel is enabling a broad choice of on-demand, Internet-delivered digital entertainment along with several options for how families view, manage and share content – options that range from a “10-foot” living room TV viewing experience in the home to laptops or handheld devices for on the go.

Intel today said it is working with a wide variety of movie, music, television, gaming and photo editing companies worldwide and announced that more than 40 are already testing and verifying services and software applications to meet this objective.

Intel Viiv technology, expected to be available in the first quarter of 2006, is designed to enhance and help manage the enjoyment of digital entertainment in the home. Throughout next year, the number of verified content services and applications available will grow to include such verified consumer devices and networked media devices as portable media players, digital media adapters, digital TVs, DVD players and routers.

“The immediacy, global reach and on-demand nature of the Internet, together with the 10s of millions of broadband-ready PCs that already exist today worldwide, support a new trend in how people get their entertainment,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president and general manager, Content Services Group, Intel Digital Home Group. “Intel intends to accelerate this trend through our strong relationships with leaders in digital entertainment. This is about Intel Viiv technology-based PCs not only connecting to the TV, but also delivering the latest movies at home, creating ‘music DJs,’ playing games and showcasing home photos and videos – it’s a ‘one-stop-shop’ for entertainment.”

Intel is providing the engineering support, specifications and verification tools to content owners, content distributors, portals, software application developers and device vendors to help deliver Internet–based content services and software applications that are tested and verified to work with an Intel Viiv technology-based PC. The verified content services and applications will be capable of being accessed in full screen format with simple access using a remote control.

Intel is also working with these providers to offer download of their content to portable media devices, such as those from Creative and Dell that will also be verified to work with an Intel Viiv technology-based PC. To make it easier for consumers to find the verified content and devices, each service, application and device will carry an identifier that reads, “Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology.”

In the second half of 2006, personal and premium content services, applications and devices will also work with software from Intel that enables content to be shared across a home network to Intel Viiv technology verified devices.

Global, On-Demand Entertainment on Intel Viiv Technology-based PCs The content services and applications announced today will be available in many locations around the world. These include services that deliver content directly to consumers, as well as solutions that will help software providers bring Intel Viiv technology verified content to market faster. Intel is working with some of these companies to make promotional offers and content available to Intel Viiv technology-based PC owners next year. The content categories that Intel is enabling for Intel Viiv technology include:

Movies, Video, TV: Rent and download hundreds to thousands of major motion picture and independent movies via subscription-based, pay-per-view or free video-on-demand services. Select from hundreds of movies to purchase and download. Choose from a variety of TV programs for viewing on an Intel Viiv technology-based PC and receive the latest sports news on demand or view short clips and replays of the winning goal or putt. Intel is working with such companies as Afendis AG, arvato mobile, Bellrock Media Japan Inc., British Sky Broadcasting, Broadband Tower, Inc., Canal + Group, Glowria, Gretech Corp., LoveFilm.com, MEDION AG, Movielink, NEC, Sohu.com, Telecom Italia, Tiantian Online Inc., TiscaliS.p.A., TiVo, T-Online International, Usen Corp., webs-tv Digital International Co. to enable and bring these types of movie, video and TV applications and online services to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

Music: Purchase the latest hits or subscribe to services to download and enjoy thousands of music tracks in your home or on a portable media device. Access streaming music videos on demand or view live concerts as they take place around the world. Intel is working with companies worldwide, including Afendis AG, arvato mobile, Avex Network Inc., Gretech Corp., Loudeye, MEDION AG, Napster, Oricon Inc., SK Telecom, Skysoft Co. Ltd., Telecom Italia, Tiantian Online Inc., and VirginMega to enable and bring these types of music applications and online services to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

Games: Play a purchased premier title game, including several number one titles in a variety of local markets, online with other players or play a Web-based game alone. Sample subscription-based and free gaming services that allow for multiple downloads for family and friend involvement. Consumers could also bring the arcade into the living room and access hundreds of games on demand to play online. These types of gaming applications and services will be available, accessible or enabled on Intel Viiv technology-based PCs by such companies as arvato mobile, CAPCOM, CCR Inc., DISCover’s My Games, Exent Technologies, Metaboli, NHN, Ourgame, Square Enix Co., Telecom Italia, The 9 Limited, TWP Corp., and Ubisoft.

Photos: Use photo editing software to organize, edit and share personal photos in a slideshow format on the TV screen in the living room. Add music to turn it into a memorable home movie or send it to portable media devices or burn it to a CD for family and friend sharing. Consumers can store, view, share and print photos online via online photo services. They can also create personalized home videos that are edited on the desktop PC in the home office but that can be viewed in the living room while sitting on the couch. Intel is working with such companies as Adobe, arvato mobile, CyberLink Corp., muvee Technologies, Pinnacle, Ulead Systems, and Sonic Solutions to bring these types of applications and services to Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

Through its research examining how people interact with technology in the home, Intel continues to engage with consumers to understand the desire to personalize their entertainment experience. Together with the above-mentioned entertainment companies, Intel is enabling the delivery of a broad portfolio of Internet-based services and applications for Intel Viiv Technology-based PCs.