Silicon Valley courts cable TV; deal for 15 million set-top boxes heralds race beyond PC

Article Abstract:

Silicon Valley companies are seeking to expand their influence beyond PCs to the larger television business. Nextlevel Systems touched off the change by agreeing to sell 15 million digital set-top boxes to Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) and several other leading US cable TV operators. Such arrangements would wed the expansion-minded cable industry with computer vendors' processors and OSes for the new digital boxes, which would replace today's conventional analog boxes. These digital boxes would consist of powerful computers that will have the capability to process high-speed digital signals moving to and from the home. Only 40,000 of a potential 3.25 million current cable subscribers across the US currently are subscribing to digital TV, according to Paul Kagan Associates. Cable TV reaches 65 million subscribers out of more than 90 million available US homes. By comparison, PC sales have stagnated at less than 40 million domestic homes, while Internet servers or other on-line services reach about 16 million homes.

Cable Television Systems, Cable Networks, Cable and other pay TV services, Forecasts and trends, Internet services, Industry trend, Cable television broadcasting industry, Cable television, Set-top boxes (Television), Cable television/data services, Digital television, Set-top boxes, Set-top internet box, Cable televison access

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The Web without Microsoft

Article Abstract:

The NetPliance i-Opener designed to be an easy inexpensive way for home users to access the Web and have an e-mail account. The machine itself is a keyboard and a flat screen monitor. The monitor enclosure contains the CPU, 32 MB RAM, a 56K modem, and a printer port. It runs on a Linux-based operating system. The machine logs on itself to the Web several times a day to retrieve mail and update select Web information. The i-Opener is limited to one email account, and has no built in message/board calendar, functions that might be useful to a household sharing one device.

Product introduction, Evaluation, Product/Service Evaluation, Network computers, Network computer, Column, Hardware single product review, NetPliance i-Opener (Network computer), TippingPoint Technologies Inc.

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The end is near. Reboot

Article Abstract:

Owners of personal computers can test for Year 2000 computer compliance using the tips in this article.

Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Analog & Hybrid Computers, Microcomputers, Product information, Testing, Year 2000 transition (Computers)

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