The time for Internet TV may be round the corner finally

Washington, August 28 : The Internet industry seems upbeat that TV sets with the web surfing facility will soon become a favorite amongst customers.

"This is the first time it feels like everything is coming together that needs to be there to make so-called Cinematic Web a reality. After the flat panels and HD, bringing Internet to TV watching is the next big thing," Fox News quoted Patrick Barry, vice president of digital home and desktop products at Yahoo's Connected Life division, as saying.

Some believe that consumers will be able to buy TVs, set-top boxes, DVD players, and even remote controls that can surf the web as early as January.

They say that such products will enable the customers to buy products they see on TV shows with just one or two clicks of the remote control.

Yahoo has already collaborated with Intel to make Internet TV a reality.

As part of their project, Intel has thus far developed a new semiconductor called the Intel Media Processor CE 3100, which can go into a multitude of devices like the TV, DVD player or remote control.

Yahoo and Intel's project is being backed by industry players like Toshiba, Blockbuster (BBI), Comcast (CMCSA) and Twitter.

The two companies will rely on content providers to create applications for Internet TV, but consumers could see things like the ability to download movies, buy goods, track stocks or sports teams, and get news updates.

Industry watchers say that access to broadband services, availability of content that people actually want to see, and technology to show real-time online content on TV has made it more viable for the customer electronics industry to bring the Internet into their devices.

ANI