Intel To Release a Set Top Box: Will It Succeed?

Updated: February 13, 2013

Well it looks like the shelves at your retail and online stores is going to have to make way for another brand on the shelves as Intel is now developing their own Set-Top Box and Internet TV service. Erik Huggers, who is the corporate vice president of Intel Media in an interview with All Things D conforms Intel’s plans for this device and service, provided this information. This news could really shake up the world that is now dominated by Apple TV and Roku and make serious waves for those companies business model.

It was told that Intel has been setting up a group called Intel Media for the past year. One thing of note was said in this meeting and that was that Intel has successfully headhunted top employees from companied such as Google, Apple and Netflix in an effort to put together the best Internet television service seen to date. This could be done if the right tools and service that is better priced than the competition is brought forth onto the table. This will be the next Consumer Electronic product from a brand that everyone recognizes.

Obviously like the Xbox, this set top box will include Intel technology under the hood and will be available directly from them. Huggers has told the press that this new unit will feature a what he described as a fantastic industrial design so it should have something new ups its corporate sleeve than the products we have thus far. Intel, like Apple is trying to work with everyone in the entire industry to bring forth the best live television to consumers on the net from around the world. The device will be an All-In-One solution that includes live TV, on demand programming and even apps.

This new device and service is supposed to launch at the end of 2013 and just like other companies I am sure we will se many Firmware updates and changes as Intel feels their way into a new market. So far I have personally used both the Apple TV and the Roku and my PS3 and my PS3 has won the battle, as that is what I use most for streaming TV, games or surfing the web from my couch. Intel has a chance to do something big and different and depending on how they implement their business this could have a large impact on the market. Lower prices for movie rentals like Rd Box at a single $1 would really take off like a skyrocket as Apple charges almost $5 a pop per movie you watch, which I feel is a big rip-off in today downloaded market. What do you think, do wee need another online TV service, and do you think Intel will change the wheel or just do more of the same. Let me hear your thoughts, as they are important. Thanks for reading.

Source: Wired