IN BRIEF

Scientific-Atlanta has signed on ScreamingMedia to be the first provider of customized content for S-A's InView information-on-demand application for cable TV. The first release of the InView application (due this summer) will provide cable systems with 12 personalization options for screen graphics to use on a 24-hour, on-demand channel. ScreamingMedia will also bundle SiteWare, its aggregation and integration platform for third-party content, into InView.

WorldGate is introducing the WorldGate ITV Starter Kit, a new offering for cable operators, at NCTA. It contains the hardware needed to deploy WorldGate's interactive television applications. It's priced at $39,995 and can support up to 5,000 interactive subscribers. Along with e-mail and Web browsing, the kit supports WorldGate's patented Channel HyperLinking technology.

MSNBC.com's new version of News Menu uses Dynamic HTML (DHTML) for easier access to the site's one-click navigation.

Integra5 will showcase The Messaging Channel, a "content-aware gateway" that combines television, rich media and voice technology to enable new interactive content services for operators.

The Messaging Channel offers cable-TV customers integrated messaging (including e-mail, voice mail, faxes, chat, instant messaging and SMS messaging) via the TV without a keyboard. The technology can be integrated with existing digital set-top boxes and supports common sound, graphics and multimedia attachments.

Expanse Networks Inc. will demonstrate ExpanseTV MicroZone, a system that can deliver targeted advertisements to any analog or digital cable subscriber.

Cable-network operators can offer advertisers the means to "narrowcast" their commercials to the most appropriate, demographically selected viewers. Because it is performed without the need for a set-top box, every subscriber can receive targeted advertisements.

HighSpeed Surfing Inc. is helping consumers expand their home or office broadband connections into a local-area network (LAN) without wires. The company's 802.11b wireless device integrates voice, video and data, while utilizing radio technology to communicate between PCs.

Consumers in one household can share a broadband Internet connection along with files, computer games and printers, while saving time, money and the hassle of installing networking wires.