Oracle detailed plans Wednesday for introducing new technology that will allow TV viewers to partake in chats or other online activities while watching programs. The advance is meant as a broadside to Microsoft's WebTV, which as yet doesn't allow simultaneous surfing and sofa spudding.
On Tuesday, Oracle's Network Computer division said it had completed its acquisition of Netscape's Navio Communications affiliate, a maker of software for networked appliances. Working with Thomson Consumer Electronics and other companies, Oracle said it expects to have US$300 set-top boxes for TV-based Web browsing ready for sale by Christmas.
The company believes TV viewers, accustomed to MTV-fast images, won't be satisfied with the slow crawl of Web pages. They say Oracle's technology will allow viewers to open a window in the corner of their TV screen to access online information without cutting away from favorite shows.
"We're merging broadcast content with Web-based content," said Oracle spokesman Randy Brasche. "If you're watching Melrose Place, you can figure out in a chat room who's sleeping with who, or you can send email during a commercial."
Microsoft is unlikely to take the challenge lying down, and is expected to counter with new "enhanced television" options for WebTV.
While WebTV now claims only about 100,000 subscribers, Brasche said Oracle's Network Computer operation expects to sell "hundreds of thousands" of set-top boxes in 1998. "A lot of it has to do with consumers realizing how this will make television more entertaining," he observed.
Last week, Navio said it had successfully completed field tests of its TV Navigator software with a Japanese cable company, Interactive Cable Communications. Navio said its software operated seamlessly with ICC's service, and that it required no changes to the cable outfit's network or configurations.
Full Internet access will be provided to ICC subscribers next month, and will next be introduced to all 1.7 million subscribers of cable companies run by trading giant Marubeni, an ICC shareholder.
Navio's software will be built into next-generation digital TVs made by Zenith and RCA to debut later this year, and similar deals are expected to be announced soon with other TV manufacturers.
