By
Mary
Bellis
"Zenith Electronics is planning a
television set that will incorporate a microprocessor and modem, as well as
technology developed by Diba Inc. that allows viewers to surf the Web via a
remote control device." - Wall Street Journal, May 10 1996
Edition
WebTV was invented (I'd rather say that the
technology was developed) in 1996 by Diba Inc and Zenith Electronics, who
produced and marketed the first WebTV sets.
C/Net reported that, "Zenith will roll out two TVs with "Netvision"
Internet access technology in the fall [1996]: a 27-inch model with a built-in
28.8-kbps modem priced at $999, and a larger 35-inch model called Inteq
targeted at home entertainment users priced at $3,499." Later companies
produced $300 webtv add-ons including Sony and Philips Electronics, who made
webtv boxes separate from television sets. WebTV sets are currently under
$100.
In April of 1997, Microsoft bought the WebTV
network for $425 million dollars and have trademarked the name. Today, webtv
is an add-on device that compliments a regular television, usually a box that
provides the internet connection and conversion of web pages for viewing on
your own television screen with an added special remote control and keyboard
so that you can surf from your sofa in comfort.
Further Research on WebTV
U.S.
Classifies WebTV Technology as a Weapon
WebTV
HTML
HTML has been modified a little to work with WebTV and some of its special
features.
Designing
Your Site for the WebTV Browser
Here's another one you may not have thought of, WebTV. WebTV has some problems
all its own.
Surfing
WebTV Style
You don't always need a computer to surf the internet. Consider, WebTV. It's
fun, easy, affordable, and makes a great Holiday gift.
Official WebTV - MSN TV
Microsoft bought the WebTV
network in 1997.
Continue
with >>> The
History of Television.
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