True, but like WebTV, I don't see how WGAT would get
over the resolution problem. Furthermore, you would need a pretty big TV to comfortably read e-mail/text from your couch.
These are just some problem I see for any internet-on-the-tv company. Do you know how WGAT might overcome/bypass such issues, if indeed they are issues?
wgat works with digital and high-end analog set-top boxes. that should solve the resolution difficulty. i have no problem reading ads on my tv now. not sure anything else including e-mail would be a problem. the studies certainly indicate that folks prefer the internet on their tv rather than tv on the pc.
as someone else explained, this is a very high speed and low cost way to access the internet. does not require a pc. now my 79 year old dad who knows nothing about a pc will be able to do e-mail and shop on-line for less than 1/2 the cost of aol and with no need to buy and maintain a pc. the advertisers are going to love that you can click directly to their sale site to order a product as you watch a tv ad.
i can visualize an internet phone built-in to your tv controller to make shopping easier for the old folks .
i think the following two articles answer your questions. seems pretty clear, wgat is coming to a set-top box near you...use the link to get to the first.
biz.yahoo.com
Monday December 13, 7:29 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: WorldGate Communications, Inc.
WorldGate Service Available on OpenTV-Enabled Digital Set Tops
TREVOSE, Pa., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- WorldGate Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: WGAT - news), the leading provider of high performance, low-cost Internet access through the TV using standard cable set-top converters and existing cable infrastructure, and OpenTV (Nasdaq: OPTV; AEX), the leading worldwide provider of software that enables digital interactive television, today jointly announced the signing of a letter of intent for the porting of the WorldGate(SM) Service to the OpenTV operating platform. As a result, WorldGate(SM) will be able to provide full Internet access and e-mail capability to millions of OpenTV enabled digital set-top boxes throughout the world, beginning Q2 2000.
In addition to supporting the WorldGate Internet and e-mail Service, the OpenTV platform will enable WorldGate's patented Channel HyperLinking(SM) technology to operate in OpenTV-enabled set-top boxes produced by dozens of manufacturers worldwide. Channel HyperLinking enables subscribers to instantly establish an interactive connection to a Web site associated with the program or advertisement they are watching on a real-time, two-way basis, without the need of typing in a URL or Web address.
``The new relationship with OpenTV represents a major breakthrough to the global market for WorldGate Service,' said Hal Krisbergh, Chairman and CEO of WorldGate. ``We believe WorldGate's Ultra-Thin Client(SM) network architecture, and its Channel HyperLinking capability, will prove very attractive to cable operators worldwide already using OpenTV as they execute cable-based strategies for bringing Internet service to their subscribers.'
``Integrating WorldGate's proxy based Internet TV solution expands and complements OpenTV's portfolio of interactive services for television. In addition, the partnership provides WorldGate access to the more than 20 digital set-top box vendors from around the world that already use the OpenTV platform. At the end of the day, the TV consumer truly benefits,' said Jan Steenkamp, President and Chief Executive Officer of OpenTV.
WorldGate's patented Ultra-Thin Client network allows cable operators to concentrate the majority of computing power at the cable operator's headend. WorldGate's unique architecture ensures easy deployment, setup, central system management and centrally administered upgrades for cable systems, as well as the ability to utilize advanced analog or digital set-top converters in delivering full Internet access and e-mail capability to the home. |
