Now Intel "inside" your television with virtual cable service!!!

Yeah you read it right, though a name that doesnt come to the mind AT ALL when you think of televisions or cable service or set top boxes, but Intel is set to change it by launching its virtual cable service and set top box this CES.According to Techcrunch, the service will be a hybrid of streaming services and over-the-top (streamed) traditional cable channels. It's designed for "people who want streaming TV access but don’t want to entirely cut the cable cord and lose key content like sports." Redbox is mentioned in the report, though netflix and hulu could join the fray too.

Intel will start the service in US first, on city-by-city basis, to assess its marketability and consumer acceptance, and to minimize thus incurred losses, if any.


In March, the Wall Street Journal reported on the chip manufacturer's plans, describing it as a "virtual cable operator." Intel wouldn't provide internet service, but it would provide channel bundles (similar to traditional cable packages), which could be streamed over the internet.

Now there's a super cool thing about the set top box - if you are subscribed to a channel, then you can watch ANY program relayed from the last one month ANY time !!! And that too without recording!!! I mean this is a killer feature enough for Intel to attract consumers, even if Intel may not (somehow) negotiate for a la carte channel subscriptions. That adds another amazing thing to look forward to in the upcoming CES!!


Source: Techcrunch