A few IPTV proponents have signed up to integrate Intel's much anticipated Viiv technology, including Telecom Italia and MovieLink. MovieLink's IPTV ties are a little thinner than TI's, but the content provider signed a distribution deal with Verizon back in April. The new technology, however, may pose a threat to IPTV providers as it could potentially link users' TVs directly to content providers in a system similar to the iPod set-up. Some analysts are speculating that Apple could be a Viiv partner soon, because Apple recently started embedding Intel chips.
With partners like TiVo, BSkyB and Adobe Systems, Intel's technology probably won't transform the digital home anytime soon--not beyond the party line of easing interoperability issues within the digital home, anyway. Users will be able to use a remote to turn Viiv-equipped PCs on and off much like a television, but whether they'll be able to download, save and trade copious amount of video data and forget about service providers remains to be seen.
For more on Intel's Viiv:
- see this article from The Washington Post
ALSO: Telecom Italia said it plans to launch its IPTV service tomorrow in four major Italian cities, including Rome. The company has invested €350 million in IPTV and plans to launch in 17 more cities come January. Article