CD-i member Orlando Arroyo posted some screenshtots of the Web-i CD-i Internet disc. A few days back our member VGCollectaholic showed us an original Web-i Internet kit for CD-i. We previously thought this was never released at all! It appears that the software is very similar to the European CD-Online software. The setup is similar, as well as the cursor and the placements of the tokens and logo. The images and the background image is specifically designed with the Web-i (de)sign, and the dial-in list ofcourse is adapted to USA.
In late 1995, Philips released the “CD-i Internet Kit” and the “CD-Online” service in Europe. The kit included a CD-i disc containing a web browser and email app bundled with a 14.4kbps modem attachment for CD-i players (a keyboard for the CD-i was sold separately). At E3 in May 1996, Philips announced that it would be bringing the CD-i Internet kit to North America later that year, branded as “Web-i”. But, in late 1996, Philips threw in the towel and announced that it was discontinuing the CD-i line in the US.
Given that no pictures of the “Web-i” have surfaced before now, it was assumed that Philips had cancelled the release of the device all together. The North American Web-i kit included the Web-i disc, the CD-i modem, a Setup Guide booklet, and a Passport insert that contained the purchaser’s account info for the Online service (name, username, password, account number, etc.).
[Thanks, Orlando Arroyo, VGCollectaholic]
