Skip to main content

Intel employees exclusively testing mystery set-top box

Intel OfficesMore than 2,000 Intel employees are exclusively testing the company’s upcoming set top box and streaming service as part of what’s being called the “Black Box Project.”

The trial started in March with employees based in California, Arizona and Oregon, and the current 2,000-strong testing contingent may grow further to include more of the company’s employees who reside in different parts of the U.S. Those who are using it now are doing so under veritable lockdown, having signed non-disclosure agreements mandating that they only use the box and service in their own homes with their families. If there is a mobile app component to the product or service, there has been no indication suggesting that so far.

The mystery black box being tested has been confirmed as not being the final design of the hardware, while the software and user interface are largely based on what will ultimately be in the final product. The content being used for the trial has also been kept secret, and will not reflect what will be available when the product and service eventually launch.

Intel has hinted in the past that it was looking to change the way consumers access and navigate the content they’re looking for, but has been vague on what that entails or how it differs from what is available in the market now.

What is known is that the company wants to combine live TV, on-demand streaming and other content into one platform. The trial is likely working out the performance and how the general interface works, from navigation, selection, payment, processing and other features. Using crowdsourcing techniques, the feedback is collected and changes are made to reflect what testers have reported.

There will be a customer care element called “Audience Care,”  ostensibly to aid consumers with any issues or questions they might have, though it’s not entirely clear what further role this part of the product’s support might have otherwise.

What’s also foggy is the level of participation from content providers. Intel is prepping for a launch this year, but there has been little in the way of content agreements with studios or distributors. Cable TV operators have been quietly hostile to Intel’s plans (as well as other over-the-top entities), so it will be interesting to see how the live TV part of this new mystery box and service will play out when the time comes.

Ted Kritsonis
A tech journalism vet, Ted covers has written for a number of publications in Canada and the U.S. Ted loves hockey, history…
Samsung S95D OLED first look: a reflection on excellence
Samsung S95D OLED

I recently traveled to New Jersey to visit Samsung for an up-close and personal look at the flagship TVs in its 2024 lineup, which includes Samsung’s 8K Neo-QLED and 4K Neo-QLEDs, and the reason we’re here today: the S95D.

The S95D is Samsung’s flagship OLED TV for 2024, and it has been the subject of some consternation for some TV enthusiasts because it has a new anti-glare or anti-reflective screen coating. Is there any merit to that concern? Has it overshadowed how good this TV could actually be thanks to a new 3rd generation QD-OLED panel? Is it any brighter? Should we be excited about this TV?

Read more
Buy one of Samsung’s new TVs and get a free 65-inch 4K TV
Two majestic elk lock horns in a snowy scene shown on a Samsung QN90D.

We’ve seen many great TV deals in our time but one where you buy one TV and you get one free? That’s new on us! That’s exactly what will happen when you buy one of the new Samsung 2024 TVs at Best Buy. Add it to your basket and you can also get a Samsung 65-inch TU690T 4K TV entirely for free. There’s even free delivery and display setup and mounting for each TV. This is a fairly unbeatable offer but if you still want to know a little more about it, keep reading while we take you through what to expect.

Why you should buy a new Samsung 2024 TV
Encompassing a range of Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs, Samsung’s latest announcement regarding new TVs in 2024 is pretty exciting. It includes the Samsung QN900D 8K TV which we recently got early access to as well as more affordable models like the QN90D Neo QLED 4K TV and QN85D Neo QLED 4K TV.

Read more
Sennheiser’s fantastic Ambeo all-in-one soundbar is $800 off today
The Sennheiser Ambeo Max 5.1.4-channel soundbar in the living room.

There are soundbar deals for basic and budget-friendly models, but if you want the best possible audio for your home theater setup, you're going to have to make a significant investment. If you're willing to spend some serious cash, check out Best Buy's offer for the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max. An $800 discount brings its price down from $2,500 to $1,700, which still isn't cheap, but it's actually a steal for the cinematic experience that this soundbar will enable. You need to hurry with your purchase if you're interested though, as its price may return to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max is the more powerful model of the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus that's featured in our roundup of the best soundbars. It's a 5.1.4-channel soundbar, which means it offers five channels -- the standard left and right channel, a center channel for improved dialogue clarity, and a pair of surround sound speakers -- a subwoofer, and four dedicated drivers that fire upwards to enable Dolby Atmos surround sound, as explained by our guide on how to buy a soundbar. The all-in-one soundbar will also allow you to customize your listening experience with its built-in equalizer.

Read more