Shanda Interactive Entertainment Co Ltd, the global leading online game operator based in Shanghai, plans to work with computer manufacturing giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) to develop and market Shanda's home entertainment platforms, the IPTV console EZ series of products.

 

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a digital television service delivered to subscribers using the Internet with a broadband connection.

 

HP is planning to equip its personal computers with an EZ-Pod (a kind of entertainment centre device), said Sun Cheng-Yaw, managing director of HP China yesterday. He said no date has yet been set.

 

Shanda's EZ entertainment centre platforms, including EZ-Pod, EZ-Station and EZ-Mini, allow users to use their TV and remote control to access such things as TV programs, films, games, and e-commerce services.

 

The new EZ series of products are regarded as Shanda's best way of keeping its leading position in the online entertainment market. They are expected to appeal to TV 'couch potatoes' because of the high quality and number of programs and games.

 

A special team has been established of representatives from the two companies to work out further co-operation strategies, according to a top official from Shanda.

 

Tang Jun, Shanda's president, told China Daily that the coming together of Shanda and HP has set a promising tone for the future of the EZ-Pod.

 

"We hope every PC will be equipped with an EZ-Pod," Tang said. "EZ-Pods have proved to be compatible to most personal computers.

 

"It is our dream to bring the Internet and its multiple contents to every family in China and the marriage with HP will help us realize the dream earlier," Tang said.

 

Tang said HP's advantages in the Internet technical solutions field and its powerful sales network and marketing expertise will work well with Shanda's capability to provide online content such as games, films and music.

 

(China Daily April 19, 2006)