In the early days of online services a US phone company tried something different and offered a terminal computer packaged with their service so people wouldn't have to invest in a real computer. I think it was Sprint but I'm not sure. I remember the commercials and I remember seeing demos at the mall. It wasn't very popular and was fairly short lived.
I recall on the commericals they would talk about some online chat program on the device called Yak (I think). This ringing any bells for anyone?