Intel is expected to launch its own set-top box and cable TV service during its CES 2013 presentation. The service is expected to roll out on a city-by-city basis to avoid licensing issues. According to sources, Intel was tired of “everyone doing a half-assed Google TV so it’s going to do it themselves and do it right.” These failed partnerships include the time when Intel tried getting Google TV OEMs to use Intel chips in its set-top boxes.
Intel’s new cable/Internet TV hybrid box is aimed at those who want to stream web content to their TVs but aren’t ready to kill their cable subscription just yet. The service is supposed to offer both streaming content like what Netflix and Hulu Plus offer as well as traditional cable channels.
TechCrunch’s source wasn’t able to give an exact release date, though we should see the device hit the market “soon”. However, we’ll likely see the device unveiled at Intel’s CES event on January 7th.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Intel releasing its own set-top box. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that Intel was working on a TV service in March of 2012. Reuters also took up this story in June stating that Intel’s new TV service may use facial-recognition to place ads. Creepy.
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