MySpace on Wednesday expanded its popular online social-networking service from computers to television sets with technological help from chip maker Intel and Internet pioneer Yahoo!
A MySpace widget, or mini computer programme, embedded in certain new television models will allow members to watch TV while connecting with online profiles and friends, according to the News Corp - owned Internet firm.
"We're giving our users an entirely new way to easily enjoy, share and access MySpace content through the new MySpace experience for TV," said MySpace vice president of business development Jason Oberfest.
"By empowering our users to access their MySpace network while also enjoying TV, we continue to provide new and unique ways to keep them engaged and connected." MySpace said its application is built on a "Widget Channel" developed by Intel and Yahoo!
The merging of television and the Internet is shaping up as a major theme of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which opened in Las Vegas on Thursday.
"We believe bringing MySpace to the TV will transform the way people think about social networking and provide a seamless experience for users to enjoy MySpace while watching TV," said William Leszinske Jr., general manager of Intel's Digital Home Group.
"This effort is aimed at enhancing today's traditional TV watching with complementary widgets that will bring rich Web content to the TV through Internet-connected consumer electronics devices."
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba listed MySpace among the Internet services available on new television sets it unveiled on the eve of CES. The MySpace widget combines "key attributes of the Internet, including openness, community, and personalisation with the power of television," Barry added.
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