We're not sure who let Yahoo! into Intel's party in San Francisco, but the two sure are getting along great. Much to the chagrin of Mark Cuban, these two actually believe that there's a future in internet TV, particularly if you force it down people's throats. Intel spent the bulk of its time talking up the Media Processor CE 3100 (formerly known as Canmore), which would theoretically be installed within HDTVs and enable users to access internet-based content without the need for an additional set-top-box ('course, the STB is still optional). That's where Yahoo! comes in -- it's hoping that its Widget Channel will encourage users to utilize its services when watching re-runs or other lackluster material in order to get news, weather and other related information right on the living room set. Not that this is a totally new concept, but these two surely have the power to push it one step further. Lots more information and pictures in the links below.

Update: It's official... surprise!

Read - Intel / Yahoo preview plans for Widget Channel
Read - Images of the tech in action
Read - Gigabyte Intel box (first product to use the CE 3100)

For a whole slew of individuals across America (particularly those with lackluster Time Warner Cable lineups), the addition of two new temporary high-def stations has been quite the treat. Just prior to the start of the Beijing Olympics, many cable carriers opted to add in an HD Soccer and HD Basketball channel, but if you thought they were just doing so to be nice, you thought wrong. After scads of CableONE subscribers in Idaho were flat shut out of live online streaming, a bit of digging revealed the problem: NBC Universal bundled online streaming into a "premium package" with the previously mentioned stations, which CableONE declined to offer. For the CableONE users, the story does end in on a high note -- they are getting three permanent HD channels instead. For everyone else loving the convenience of online streams, at least you can sleep easy knowing that minor increases in your future bill will likely be used to pay for it. Then again, what is free these days?

It has been a few months since a little Massachusetts-based startup caught our eyes with the ZvBox, and while ZeeVee's localcaster has been spotted a time or two in the run-up to its official release, we finally managed to secure a retail version of our own. We'll be testing this thing out here shortly, but we wanted to give you a closer look at what to expect should you decide to plunk down $499 for one of your own. We have to say, the packaging here is quite nice, and the box itself seems sexy enough considering how little you're likely to see it. Enough chatter, give the gallery below a look to see what we mean.

Hot on the heels of our own poll asking you dear readers your opinion on HTPCs comes a new report from ABI Research asserting that all-in-one PCs and internet TV functionality "will fuel the nascent home theater PC market." More specifically, it's reported that more and more companies are cranking out compacted machines "with rich multimedia capabilities to appeal to new usage models around the home." Additionally, internet TV functionality packed within HDTVs is touted as something that could be "the next evolutionary plateau," although we -- and Mark Cuban, comically enough -- would beg to differ. All in all, it's tough to say what place an HTPC still has in the market (save for the niche that simply prefers a full-fledged PC in the living room), but integrating all of that functionality into an existing living room component won't be the easiest task.

We've known that individuals were turning to the internet to catch their favorite shows for some time now, but we aren't living in the future just yet. According to new research conducted by Nielsen and CTAM, most adults (94%) who "subscribe to cable or satellite television services prefer to watch television on traditional TV sets." Still, over a third of those surveyed who had a broadband connection admitted to watching at least one television program originally shown on TV via the internet, and nearly 40% of online TV viewers also use the world wide web to "get the scoop on actors and upcoming episodes." For numbers galore on this very topic, head on down to the read link and have a look.

[Image courtesy of BebeReviews]

As the release date for ZeeVee's ZvBox draws near (we're hearing July 31st), the company is out and about in an attempt to drum up demand as the run-up to its launch progresses. During CONNECTIONS 2008, ZeeVee was in attendance with a ZvBox on display, and aside from snapping a few telling photographs, the folks over at eHomeUpgrade were also able to capture a couple videos to give you an early feel of its capabilities (and limitations). We don't have to tell you where the goods are, but if you're new here, that read link down there is a good place to start.

[Via SlashGear]

Shortly after hearing TiVo's top dog speak of a "whole home model" to reduce the amount of STBs required for entertaining individuals in various rooms, along comes Time Warner Cable's chief executive talking up some innovation of its own. We'll be frank -- we're not entirely sure what Glenn Britt is getting at here, but through a broken series of quotes, we're led to believe that the carrier is prepping some "equipment" that will easily bring internet content to TVs. Not like there isn't a perfect solution for this quandary already, but we digress. Specifically, he mentions a " new wireless cable modem that will allow you to network everything in your house," which is about as broad / vague as you can get. Nevertheless, it's enough to keep us watchin', though we can't say our expectations are extraordinarily high. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

Startup ZeeVee isn't out to flood the market with yet another ho hum media streamer, it's out to change the way you look at 'em. The June-bound ZvBox ($499) plugs into one's computer (VGA) and sends on-screen content to every TV in the house over existing coaxial cabling. Put simply, the unit enables users to view any kind of internet media right on their television with no subscription fees or wireless dropouts. Aside from bringing internet video over, users can also access any other computer application (web browser, built-in DVD player, etc.) right from their set. In order to handle said tasks, the box comes bundled with a wireless ZvRemote / Zviewer, but those comfortable with managing their own desktop won't be bothered with any fancy interfaces. Suffice to say, those looking to easily pipe their Media PC recordings to the family TV will certainly find reason to take notice. Head on the past the break for a few more details.

An all new season of Three Sheets isn't the only reason to tune into MOJO -- fans of HD and technology alike are sure to appreciate the new internet-based series that has just launched on the network's website. The Circuit, which gets freshened up with a new episode each Tuesday at noon, is hosted by the always animated Deepak Ananthapadmanabha (yes, for real). The web series seeks to bring viewers up to speed on the latest technological going-ons and can be viewed in 480p or 720p. Go on, hit the read link and give it a go -- if you're peeking this post, chances are the content is right down your alley.

One of our favorites is getting set to come back for Season 3, and needless to say, our HD DVRs are already queued up to capture it all. Still, for those who can't (or just won't) wait for the April 10th launch of Three Sheet's third season on MOJO, the first episode can be viewed in its entirety right now via Hulu. You heard right -- the whole half hour show, which sees the always animated Zane Lamprey head down to Chile, can be seen right now by following the read link below. Are you still here? Maybe you missed the part about a new Three Sheets episode waiting for you right down there!

[Via NewTeeVee]

After hearing that KoldCast TV was set to launch in the not-too-distant future this January, it's safe to say the internet TV portal is finally live (albeit in beta fashion). Effective immediately, viewers can surf over and enjoy original, on-demand programming around the clock, and while we're not sure just how much high-definition content is available right now, the site already includes support for full screen HD viewing. Furthermore, the firm also announced that it would be doling out three Advanced Media Players (AMPs) for use by content partners and other audiences that will embed them. Enough chatter -- why not give the site a look and see if there's anything there for you to love?

Well, what do you know? TiVo's delivering as promised with this one, as Desktop Plus 2.6 is indeed going live in March -- just like we were told back in January (and nary a week after TiVo promised YouTube access later this year). Truth be told, there's not a whole lot here that you didn't already get a taste of in our hands-on at CES, but here's the skinny. As of today, TiVo users can grab hold of the latest version of Desktop (Windows only, we're afraid) and "enjoy a broad range of web entertainment available directly from their TV." More specifically, these customers "can choose web videos downloaded on the home PC using web browsers, RSS video clients such as iTunes podcasts, or other video download software to automatically copy to their TiVo DVR's Now Playing List alongside recorded broadcast and cable TV shows." In case you couldn't tell, Desktop Plus 2.6 can be downloaded today for a one-time fee of $24.95, but consider that waived if you're upgrading from an earlier version. Click on through for the full release.

Good news for those looking for a new online venue to catch TV shows, movies and all sorts of other content -- there's yet another alternative in town, and it goes by the name NEXT.TV. First and foremost, we're quite pleased to see that this portal is compliant with PCs and Macs, and it seems that this venture is seeking to be your one-stop shop to online entertainment. The service, which is currently shipping on select HP Pavilion laptops, is all set for a public launch in March, and will purportedly provide access to "over 100 free, ad-supported channels" including CBS, Hearst, HSN, TV Guide, Showtime, Endemol, Fremantle and National Lampoon. Additionally, folks will soon be able to rent or buy "high quality, ad-free versions" of many titles from studios such as Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, MGM, New Line Cinema, Paramount, etc. No word on what exactly will make up those "hundreds of hours of HD content" just yet, but you can certainly consider our interest piqued.

Ever since we pondered on whether HDTV would elevate the standard for PC content a few months back, we've been thoroughly pleased to see a few outfits emerging and at least attempting to bring online HD streaming to the forefront. Granted, the outlet as a whole has quite aways to go, but it seems that KoldCast TV is hoping to really give high-def junkies a reason to hop online. The site, which is slated to go live next week, will offer up a variety of original short programs aimed at 18 to 25 year-olds, and will include everything from comedy to sports on its 40 channels. Regretfully, we've no clue exactly what resolution(s) will be offered, but it's probably worth bookmarking and hitting up next week just to check out the quality.

We know, Echelon Studios and AmericaFree.TV aren't exactly the biggest names in their respective industries, but considering the dearth of online streaming material out there in high-definition, we'll take whatever we can get. Reportedly, the aforementioned companies have agreed to establish an HD streaming channel that will carry films from Echelon Studios, and site visitors will soon be able to tune into A Halfway House Christmas free of charge. Unfortunately, we're not told when additional films can be expected, but here's to hoping that more HD content finds its way onto the 'net sooner rather than later.