In a perfect world, I have often mused, I could browse the web whilst simultaneously watching my Digital Light Projection HDTV without having to first get a degree in electronic engineering, or to take out a second mortgage to buy all the multiple components.

Well fear not, as it seems that this state of nirvana could well exist in the not too distant future with the advent of the Widget Channel.

The Web-TV convergence of the Widget Channel is something that Yahoo and Intel will work on together. The channel will provide a myriad of internet services including eBay listings, weather, stocks and financial news and Twitter updates.

Intel will work on the hardware that will be integrated into televisions and set-top boxes. Given that there is no keyboard proposed the third party apps will have to be simple. The success of Apple's iPhone shows that this component may not be entirely necessary, though personally I would like a remote keyboard plug-in.

Several high profile web services have confirmed they will be available on the Widget Channel including Disney-ABC, Joost, CinemaNow and MTV, along with advertising firm Group M.

Getting the idea take off will have to include some incentives for the television manufacturers to get them on board. However, I think that the potential customer demand for the added convenience will take care of that hesitation. The advertisers are likely to also be lining up.

The Widget Channel will be available in the US in the first half of next year. All things going, according to plan.