Morning JOhn, FreDE will like that internet/CUBE angle.......here is an AOL pr piece from the CES show . That was B4 the deal...so we should read it again.........
AOL Offers Internet-TV Service
LAS VEGAS (AP) - America Online Inc (NYSE:AOL - news). is offering a service that lets people use the Internet on their television sets, challenging Microsoft Corp (NasdaqNM:MSFT - news).'s Web TV and other rivals seeking to build interactive TV businesses.
The new service, called AOLTV, would be transmitted through cable set-top boxes made by Philips Electronics and Hughes Electronics Corp.'s DirectTV satellite television.
AOL did not provide specifics on when the service would be available or how much it would cost monthly, nor did it give pricing for the equipment.
AOLTV would allow users to exchange and view e-mail and instant messages, and browse the Internet. The company said Friday it would tell more about the service, including television programming, at a later date.
The Dulles, Va.-based company has been moving aggressively to bolster its ``AOL Anywhere' strategy to extend its reach beyond the personal computer. In December, it bought MapQuest, a leader provider of maps on the Internet that helps users look up directions and can be used with hand-held computers. The company also has developed software to adapt its interactive calender and other features such as e-mailing to portable devices.
Analysts say AOL has two goals with its AOL Anywhere program - to be among the first to take advantage of consumers' desire to be connected on the go and to encourage subscribers to stay online longer, which could allow the service provider to boost rates it charges companies for ads.
AOL, fearing it could be denied access to parts of the high-speed Internet market, is currently lobbying regulators to force AT&T and other cable providers to sell it access to cable data networks at wholesale prices. Microsoft last year took a $5 billion stake in AT&T Corp (NYSE:T - news). to ensure it has a place in high-speed cable access.
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