Mike, Stew, Tinker, et al,
I just came across this article...may be of interest to you. Details are sketchy vis a vis GMST, but I do believe Cox to be a licensee.
ExciteAtHome to test new interactive TV
Updated 3:22 PM ET June 6, 2000
PALO ALTO, Calif. (Reuters) - The Internet service ExciteAtHome said Tuesday it will test a new kind of interactive TV designed to complement, rather than replace, personal computer-based Internet service.
The company has teamed with cable service Cox Communications Inc. (COX.N) for a test later this year in San Diego.
ExciteAtHome, which also offers a popular high-speed PC-based Internet service, said the new TV service will offer basic Internet content like personalized news and weather, shopping and e-mail.
It will come with a wireless keyboard, but the bulk of its services will be accessible via the television's remote control.
Unlike some other services that have failed famously with interactive TV, ExciteAtHome says it is not taking the "Internet on TV" approach.
Rather, it is describing its service as enhanced, or advanced, TV with some limited Internet features that are particularly well suited to the television.
For that reason, it expects the service to have a heavy electronic commerce component. For example, viewers could purchase a product by clicking on their remote rather than have to go to all the trouble of getting up and going to the PC after a TV commercial has inspired them to shop.
While some previous interactive TV services have targeted low-tech consumers who do not own PCs, the ExciteAtHome service is geared to an "Internet savvy" group, a spokeswoman said.
"This is not the lay person's Internet device." she said. "We don't think people will want to use the TV to browse the Internet."
Instead, she said the company hopes to find customers who will find the TV more convenient for certain Internet applications like shopping.
news.excite.com
Regards,
Scott |
