What is Intel TV? Well, that’s the question, Intel TV has remained coy outside of a few examples. A composite of these vague hints suggests that it will include a consumer electronics device, which Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) will sell through retailers as well as through its own website. “It is an Intel-powered device… with beautiful industrial design;” this device will then offer live TV as well as catch-up programming and cable television like bundles.
That’s all well and good, but today saw the confirmation that Jim Baldwin, who was working as VP of Engineering for Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) Media, has left the company.
This was reiterated by an Intel Media spokesperson when contacted by GigaOM, “Baldwin left Intel Media to pursue opportunities outside the company.” If you were to have a look at Mr. Baldwin’s LinkedIn profile, that opportunity outside the company is retirement. No further details were forthcoming by either the spokesperson nor Mr. Baldwin when asked for his comment.
Baldwin arrived at Intel from Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), where he served as CTO for the Interactive Entertainment Business unit as well as Engineering Director for Microsoft’s Mediaroom business. A job he took following Microsoft’s acquisition of WebTV.
The circumstances and timing of Mr. Baldwin’s departure begs questions that needn’t be answered. He’s gone and Intel Media must move on in order to fulfill its promise of a new service before the end of the year. They are, however, now going forward without someone whose experience includes work as a key digital architect for WebTV Plus, Echostar Dishplayer, DirecTV UltimateTV and Microsoft TV.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s spokesperson had a fine soundbite at the ready, as spokespeople do, about the impact of the departure: “He will be missed, but we have a very strong engineering organization in place with a deep leadership bench.” A fine sports related soundbite at that, as spokespeople often do.
We will have to wait to see how this affects Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s efforts to become Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV without becoming Apple TV; a service that is rumored to be tagged “Intel inside & out.”
