A combination of a TV, VCR, stereo and a computer... what does that bring u? Well many people want to know what the future brings us and are spending billions to find out.
Many consider convergence in digital entertainment or some kind of all-in-one set-top device inevitable. Disagreement and uncertainty arise only over the business model or platform most likely to succeed. |
So reach for your remote. The battle to dominate armchair entertainment has been joined.
From upstarts to corporate behemoths, companies across multiple industries are honing their strategies and lining up their allies, sometimes befriending opposing sides to hedge their risks. Their eyes are set on pieces of a lucrative pie - 100 million television-viewing households in the United States and millions more abroad.
Some new idea's:
- Hewlett-Packard and RealNetworks announced last month they were working together to create products that will let consumers obtain digital entertainment via the Internet and experience it on their living room stereos and televisions.
- Later this year Nokia plans to start selling a so-called home infotainment center called the Media Terminal. It's a set-top box that receives digital TV and video-on-demand, can play MP3 files or connect to a digital camera - and offers Internet access.
- With its recent debut of UltimateTV, Microsoft has also jumped on the DVR bandwagon. UltimateTV combines WebTV with a DirecTV satellite service, DVR technology and two tuners, allowing users to watch one channel while recording another.
- Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta, the top makers of U.S. cable set-top boxes, are each introducing this year advanced cable boxes featuring DVR, interactive TV, video on demand, e-mail, and high-speed Internet access. The Scientific-Atlanta Explorer 8000 also has digital music capabilities and the Motorola DCT 5000 features IP telephony.
Audio video and information all working together in one set. Lots of money is at stake by many companies. Who will win the battle and create the ultimate device of the future?
How about a burner in every device? A (DVD) burner in your TV set is already available. (Read this or this)
Source: Yahoo
