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Intel Viiv Brand Targets
Your Livingroom
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Intel is developing a broad family of PC, consumer
electronics and mobile platforms and technologies,
under the Viiv(TM) concept. Intel promises that
the new platform will enrich consumers' enjoyment
of digital entertainment, bringing Microsoft's
vision for a digital home closer to reality.
Viiv (pronounced to rhyme with five) is a collection
of its dual-core microprocessors, chipsets,
software and networking capabilities. PCs based
on Intel Viiv technology will be easy to use
with a remote control, will be powered by a
suite of Intel technologies, and surrounded
by a number of verified consumer electronics
devices, software and online services (including
movies, music, photos and games).
Viiv silicon-based systems will come to market
in a variety of form factors, from smaller consumer
electronic-type designs to more traditional
desktop or tower designs, Intel said.
Perhaps in a move to match it with the long-time
living room mainstay the television, Intel is
integrating consumer electronic features into
the platform. All PCs based on Viiv will ship
with the Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition
operating system and media software that lets
consumers interact with their PC in the same
way they operate a TV.
Consumers will be able -- after their initial
boot-up -- to turn the Viiv-powered PCs on and
off quickly by pushing a button. Each Intel
Viiv-based PC will also come with surround sound
for home theater-quality sound.
With an optional TV tuner card, the same Viiv
PC will be able to record, pause and rewind
live television and store them on the PC's hard
drive, Intel said.
Intel Viiv technology will also include a software.
The software will contain a network configuration
wizard that can be navigated with the system's
remote control, making it easy for consumers
to connect many devices including portable media
players, DVD players, TV sets and stereos.
Intel Viiv technology also includes an integrated
media server "engine" that can reformat various
digital content files so they can be viewed
on a selection of devices verified by Intel
to work with Intel Viiv technology-based systems.
Additionally, Intel worked with the PC, CE and
content industries to set interoperability specifications
so that consumers can easily move a variety
of online media from room to room and between
various devices in the home network.
The Viiv PCs will also connect easily to online
entertainment services, enabling movie and music
downloads, as well as access to the latest games.
Intel said PC makers such as Dell Inc. , Hewlett-Packard
Co. , Gateway Inc. and others will have the
Viiv PCs available in the first quarter of 2006
in various styles, shapes and sizes. Details
on pricing weren't immediately available.
*Article courtesy o f Dan Bell and www.cdfreaks.com
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