Next time you turn on the TV, you could end up watching the internet. That's the hope of Diba Inc., which has announced the availability of fully operational Diba Internet set-top starter units which allow unrestricted access to any site on the World Wide Web and fully operational e-mail on a standard television set using a remote control or wireless keyboard.

The units incorporate the recently released Diba Information Appliance Suite, Version 2.0. The new version of the software includes a browser and mail application, and has improved its anti-aliasing and anti-flickering in the Web browser, which were problematic in the software's 1.0 release. "This will mean you can view almost any site," said Ellen MacDermid, Diba spokesperson. "With other services like Web TV, the sites you can view are limited."

Another advantage Diba's Set-Top Starter Unit has over the competition is its ability to connect with any internet service provider (ISP). That means instead of having to buy a certain brand of equipment and then subscribe to the service it provides, customers can subscribe to any ISP and change at any time. Those who already have an ISP can use that same provider with their Diba Set-Top and not have to worry that their Diba-based equipment will become obsolete, the company claims.

Diba only plans to offer the set-tops to service providers, including ISPs, RBOCs, and cable companies, who can then place quantity orders with Diba manufacturing partners. "We don't want to sell hardware or provide the service," said MacDermid.

Currently, Diba is the only company to provide the technology that allows for television Internet access with any ISP. "I heard IBM is doing something similar, but so far I think we're the only ones," said MacDermid.

Prices for service providers will vary depending on orders, and will then have to be built by one of Diba's manufacturing partners. In the past, Diba has worked in with Zenith, Mitsubishi, and Samsung. MacDermid told Newsbytes that the names of the manufacturers will be released next week.

Source: Newsbytes