In a bid to promote its Viiv platform Intel Corp. is working with about 40 content providers and manufacturers of certain digital devices who will verify that their content, software, service or hardware works flawlessly on computers built around the new entertainment platform from the world’s largest chipmaker. Products that have passed verification will be identified with “Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology” moniker.

Intel said it is working with a wide variety of movie, music, television, gaming and photo editing companies worldwide and announced that more than 40 are already testing and verifying services and software applications to enable a broad choice of on-demand, Internet-delivered digital entertainment along with several options for how families view, manage and share content. The presence of a concept that integrates a hardware platform for PCs with software, services and various content providers outlines the importance of collaboration between hardware and software in general.

“The immediacy, global reach and on-demand nature of the Internet, together with the 10s of millions of broadband-ready PCs that already exist today worldwide, support a new trend in how people get their entertainment,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president and general manager, content services group at Intel digital home group. “Intel intends to accelerate this trend through our strong relationships with leaders in digital entertainment. This is about Intel Viiv technology-based PCs not only connecting to the TV, but also delivering the latest movies at home, creating ‘music DJs,’ playing games and showcasing home photos and videos – it’s a ‘one-stop-shop’ for entertainment.”

Intel Viiv platform technology, expected to be available in the first quarter of 2006, is designed to enhance and help manage the enjoyment of digital entertainment in the home. Throughout next year, the number of verified content services and applications available will grow to include such verified consumer devices and networked media devices as portable media players, digital media adapters, digital TVs, DVD players and routers.

In the second half of 2006, personal and premium content services, applications and devices will also work with software from Intel that enables content to be shared across a home network to Intel Viiv technology verified devices.

As a result of Intel’s collaboration with various companies, users of Intel Viiv computers will be able to do the following:

• Rent and download hundreds to thousands of major motion picture and independent movies via subscription-based, pay-per-view or free video-on-demand services.
• Choose from a variety of TV programs for viewing and receive the latest sports news on demand or view short clips and replays of the winning goal or putt.
• Purchase the latest hits or subscribe to services to download and enjoy thousands of music tracks in your home or on a portable media device.
• Access streaming music videos on demand or view live concerts as they take place around the world.
• Play a purchased premier title game, including several number one titles in a variety of local markets, online with other players or play a Web-based game alone.
• Sample subscription-based and free gaming services that allow for multiple downloads for family and friend involvement.
• Access hundreds of games on demand to play online.
• Use photo editing software to organize, edit and share personal photos in a slideshow format on the TV screen in the living room.
• Add music to turn it into a memorable home movie or send it to portable media devices or burn it to a CD for family and friend sharing.
• Store, view, share and print photos online via online photo services.
• Create personalized home videos that are edited on the desktop PC in the home office but that can be viewed in the living room while sitting on the couch.