Heavyweights join push for interactive TV

 

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Industry heavyweights like Microsoft and Intel are heading an effort to establish standards for enhanced TV content for interactive entertainment systems. "People are interested in doing commerce with remote off of a TV." - David Kaiser, chief executive of B3TV

Interactive TV takes giant step forward Heavy hitters in the entertainment and technology industries agree to standards that should give the promise of interactive TV a boost. Previous coverage Sega's Dreamcast takes a cue from PCs update Equipped with a high-powered chip, modem, and other PC features, Sega's Dreamcast--like other gaming machines coming to market--can ostensibly duplicate, and even improve upon, many of the core functions of home PCs. Hollywood wants seats on Net name board As Hollywood uses the Web to hype every new production and up-and-coming star, the industry is keeping close tabs on an international body that is making rules for the use of Net names. TiVo files for IPO, teams with Sony The digital video recording firm kicks its IPO hopes into high gear, setting the price for its initial public offering and announcing a product alliance with Sony Electronics. Consumers to benefit from new set-top standards A new breed of cable TV set-top boxes that will allow consumers to receive interactive services moved a step closer to reality.