The Widget Channel

Intel® and Yahoo!®
Bring the Internet to Television

  • Truly Connected

    Widget Channel Brings the Best of the Internet to TV.

    Widget Channel is a full-featured framework that includes key components such as Media Player, DLNA Client, DRM Manager, Stack Manager and Metadata Database & Aggregator. Widget Channel framework is suitable for a broad range of CE devices that can take advantage of the outstanding performance and media support of the Intel CE platforms, including the Intel Media Processor CE 3100. Widget Channel provides CE device makers and developers with a best in class solution for delivering the next generation of high definition user experiences on TV. Without leaving their living rooms, viewers can keep up with favorite sports teams, track stocks, stay current on the latest news, and even share photos with friends and family, all via TV Widgets. +

  • Widget Channel, powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine.

    The Widget Channel framework is powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, a fifth-generation applications platform that will allow TV viewers to interact with and enjoy a rich set of TV Widgets—small Internet applications designed to complement and enhance the traditional TV experience.

    The Widget Channel framework is based on open industry standards and is designed to work with IP-connected CE devices. TV Widget developers can use popular Internet standards, including Konfabulator (KON) in JAVASCRIPT® and XML, HTML and, in the future, Flash®, to dramatically lower the barrier of entry for developing applications optimized for TV.

    Next-generation consumer electronics can take advantage of highly integrated Intel architecture-based media processors, such as the Intel Media Processor CE 3100—a highly integrated chip which includes a high-performance IA core and other functional I/O blocks to enable high definition video decode and viewing, home-theater-quality audio, 3-D graphics, and is designed to combine the Internet and TV experiences. This partnership extends the power and compatibility of PC application developer programs to TV and related CE devices.

  • Developing and Distributing TV Widgets

    In support of a rich Internet connected CE ecosystem, Intel and Yahoo! plan to make a Widget Development Kit (WDK) available to developers, consumer electronic device makers, advertisers and publishers.

    Intel and Yahoo! are working with a range of industry leading companies that plan to develop and deploy TV Widgets. These and other companies, as well as individuals, will be able to innovate, differentiate and deploy TV Widgets across multiple TV and related CE devices using the Widget Channel framework. For more information, see the Yahoo!/Intel press release. Yahoo! and Intel press release.

    + TV Widget availability and features limited. Internet-linked content and services require broadband Internet access and may require subscriptions at additional cost. Check with your device manufacturer and Internet services provider for details.

What is the Yahoo! Widget Engine?

The Yahoo! Widget Engine is a fifth-generation applications platform that allows TV watchers to interact with and enjoy a rich set of TV Widgets. The Yahoo! Widget Engine evolved from the popular Konfabulator® (KON) widget platform for the PC, and has now been re-engineered specifically for consumer electronics devices. Developers use KON (JAVASCRIPT® and XML) to write TV applications for the platform. Yahoo! Widget Engine extends the power and compatibility of PC application developer programs to TV and related CE devices.

How Can I Get the Widget Channel?

Yahoo! and Intel are working with the world’s best CE device makers, and some of your favorite sites and content publishers to bring Widget Channel and TV Widgets to market. Stay tuned for more information about how and where you can get them!