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To: Uncle Frank who wrote (1389)	1/7/2000 12:01:00 PM
From: LBstocks	Respond to of 6516

AOL TV: AOL Makes Jump Into Non-PC Net Access Fray By Dick Kelsey, Newsbytes LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 07 Jan 2000, 10:45 AM CST America Online is taking up a good share of the spotlight at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) by the introduction of AOL-specific set-top boxes, signaling its long-anticipated step into the fast-growing frontier of non-PC access to the Internet. AOL has been mum about its plans for main-service access from non-PC sources and Macintosh operating systems, but Chief Executive Officer Steve Case had promised that the move was imminent. AOL spokesperson Anne Bentley told Newsbytes today that AOL TV will be available to members sometime later this year but she did not specify when. "We're simply here previewing AOL TV service and our partners Hughes, DirecTV and Philips," Bentley said at the CES in Las Vegas. She would not comment on a Newsbytes report that AOL set-top boxes will be Windows CE-driven. If that is so, full AOL access from other devices propelled by Windows-CE may not be far off. "Consumers want to access (the Internet) through television and if the set-top can do it, that's wonderful," said Kurt Scherf, an in-home networking analyst from Park Associates. "We're starting to see some companies come around to that. I think it's going to take some time. I think people are still a little gun shy." "We forecast that broadband penetration by 2004 - DSL and cable modems - would be 24 million households," said Scherf. Home networking experts believe STBs will put Internet reach to the top of a TV set and more; AOL TV will establish new links among members. "You'll be able to know if you've got e-mail, what buddies you've got online," said Bentley. "You can easily chat with your buddies when you're watching sports, news or your favorite TV show." Philips Electronics is offering an estimated 100,000 people at the CES a "sneak peak" at its receiver with AOL TV. Philips plans to develop an STB incorporating Microsoft's new WebTV featuring digital video recording (DVR) capabilities, Live TV Pause and optional Internet services. Today IGS Technology announced that its CyberPro 5000 video streaming media processor will be used in the Philips STBs for AOL TV. TSBs and other non-PC devices will not only enable current e-mail users to access messages away from their computers, but will undoubtedly attract some of those without PCs who would like to send and receive e-mail. Scherf said Parks' research suggests a 75 to 80 percent peak in home PC saturation, but believes set-top boxes and other home networking products will attract that segment without computers. The Parks Associates Web site can be found at parksaassociates.com Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com (20000106/Press contact, Kurt Scherf, Parks Associates, 1-800-PARKS11, Anne Bentley, AOL, 703-265-1746 /WIRES TOP, ONLINE, PC, BUSINESS/AOL-3/PHOTO)