Yahoo Outlines Plans To Bring Internet to TV Sets

Yahoo is making a bid for Internet television. The company's Connected TV group unveiled the next generation of technology and services for Internet-connected televisions, along with a slew of partnerships that promise consumers plenty of options.

The first fruits of Yahoo's partnerships with leading consumer electronics manufacturers, which include Samsung, Sony, LG Electronics, and Vizio, is a widget-based user experience that delivers Web content to TVs. The products that tap into Yahoo's Connected TV technology will be available in the spring.

"Yahoo has combined key attributes of the Internet, including openness, community and personalization, with the power of television," said Patrick Barry, vice president of Yahoo's Connected TV division. "By creating this revolutionary new Internet experience and combining our technology with the global distribution of major consumer electronics partners, we enable consumers to access the relevant information and content to enhance their television-watching experience."

Best of Both Worlds

The manufacturers will make high-definition televisions that tap into the Yahoo Widget Engine. The engine helps consumers find and view online media that matches their interests.

Meanwhile, interactive applications Yahoo is calling TV Widgets will sit at the bottom of the screen, virtually opening the door to Internet services and online media. The widgets allow consumers to access videos from YouTube, do social networking on MySpace, buy and sell on eBay, send messages through Twitter, and use Yahoo's Flickr photo-sharing Web site.

According to Allen Weiner, a research vice president at Gartner, consumers are increasingly looking for a richer TV experience, including the ability to integrate personalized Internet content and interactive experiences.

"Those companies who succeed as leading TV 2.0 portals will be those well positioned to make the connected TV a reality through strong global partnerships, innovative technology, and expertise in creating open platforms," Weiner said. "Developers will have the tools to bring the best of the...