BOSTON –- IPTV (define) advocates like to talk about the technology enabling new services, however the discussion usually returns to the familiar voice, video and data triple play.

In part, that's because it's early. Telecoms, network equipment makers, system integrators and software developers are still deploying miles of fiber-optic cable across the United States and running tests to ensure that their systems are compatible.

What's more, the carriers pursuing the IPTV strategy may be wary of tipping their hands to cable and satellite rivals before content and services deals are nailed down.

But the executive spearheading SBC Communications' IPTV initiative outlined an offering that, while probably not a reason to buy the service on its own, provides a tangible example of a service made possible because of converged networks.

A user could take a picture with a Cingular phone, have it automatically sent to their SBC-Yahoo photo account and made available via IPTV, Jeff Weber, an SBC vice president, said in a keynote at Yankee Group's IPTV Decision Summit on Tuesday.

The pictures would be available for viewing or organizing on their TV within minutes of being snapped, a significant time-saver over downloading images from a digital camera onto a PC, Weber said.