Posted on 01/08/2007 1:49:53 AM PST by HAL9000
Microsoft stepped up the digital battle for home computer networking with Apple Computer Sunday when Bill Gates announced at the Consumer Electronics show that Windows Home Server software will be available during the second half of 2007.Gates said the new software will perform as the center of a home's computer network, from photo and video storage to television to accessing computer files when away from home.
The announcement sets up another battle for the sofware consumer with Apple. It's anticipated Apple will provide details of its iTV set-top box at MacWorld in San Francisco on Tuesday. The two companies are targeting the more than 40 percent of American homes with broadband that can deliver movies, TV, music and data from the Internet.
"A big part of connected experiences is connected entertainment," Gates said. "We think it's a category that could explode in importance."
Gates also spoke about proposals that will bring video and online services from cable TV channels Fox Sports, Nicklodeon and Starz to its 6-year-old Windows Media Center, a less ambitious software system that will be integrated into the company's Vista operating system coming to consumers at the end of January.
Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices group discussed the millions-strong community around Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox live, and plans to replicate it among users of Microsoft's Zune, an MP3 player released in November.
Bach said the Xbox 360 gaming console would be acting as a set-top box for high-quality, interactive Internet protocol television (IPTV) by the end of the year.
Gates also described some future technology possibilities, such as a teenager's bedroom with computer display and speaker built into the wall, and constantly changing posters, music, and video.
Nice form factor for the hardware, but unfortunately, it has the usual low-quality crap operating system we're accustomed to from Microsoft.
More evidence that Microsoft's hardware "partners" like Dell and HP will be treated like competitors over time. The next step for Microsoft will be manufacturing desktop and laptop PCs.
L
kindel.com - Windows Home Server
The cylinder is apparently a prototype of the kind of hardware design that Microsoft wants PC manufacturers to sell for the Windows Home Server. I guess it's supposed to inspire Dell and HP to make something besides the usual tower.
We use Media Center on our PC. The DVR is great. It has never crashed and we have never had a virus. The catv connets directly to the back of the pc and the 250GB drive is sufficient. It serves as our file store for our three laptops.
No complaints. We're happy Windows users.
"""No complaints. We're happy Windows users."""
Now that must be all the malware and virii on your systems speaking. Or a keyboard logger automatically sending out info. Don't you know that its impossible for Window users to be happy? At least according to good ole Hal. :-)
Why impossible!!!!! How dare a good person never go to questionable sites only to be infected and then blame it on the OS!!!
LOL! I received an iPod video for Christmas and with a little software, I can transfer all my recorded shows from Media Center to the iPod. I didn't think I would like watching shows on a 3" screen, but it is crystal clear and the sound is perfect (good for travelling). I'm hooked, just in time for the new season of 24 (I haven't seen any other seasons).
Now, as for the books on tape from the local library, guess what? The format is not compatible with the iPod. With the same software, however, I can convert the downloaded files to MPEG-4 and the iPod can read them. It seems like the iPod always needs help from Windows to make it work with the rest of the world. At least my world, which contains non iTunes content.
I've started a new game. It's called, "How many replies to a Windows thread before an iSnob tells you your system s$cks and the only educated choice is an Apple".
I'm watching the video replay of the Bill Gates speech at CES. When he get to the new server, the screen turns cloudy and this message is displayed - "In respect to the Intellectual Property being demonstrated on-stage, we are temporarily suspending the audio and video portion of the broadcast. Normal programming will begin shortly. Thank you for your patience".
You dare you deviate from the party line! Posting anti-Microsoft articles is the only way most of them can get wood.
The old "we don't need you anymore" death sentence dealt to many partners and software houses. Apple's done it too.
Totally beholden to the copyright cartel. It shows in the Zune, and it'll show in this new product to the detriment of anyone foolish enough to buy it. Either way, Microsoft isn't making anything with the consumer in mind, only trying to become a channel for the copyright cartel's profits.
Sad, I thought Microsoft would have enough clout to stand up to them. Monopoly power is like the force, it can be used for good and bad, and this would have been a good use.
You're kidding.
The movie houses make hundreds of millions of dollars every weekend.
The entertainment industry plugs into the brains of millions of Americans every night. With the right programming, the public's perception of Microsoft here could match that of Europe.
The record industry has the US Congress passing laws tailor-made for its use, proving that money can buy anything.
Even Microsoft can't compete with that kind of clout (pant-pant).
And for what? Mindshare? Warm fuzzies from the geeks for preserving their "fair-use" rights? Is it okay to pirate some kinds of I/P, like content, but not okay to pirate other kinds of I/P, like code?
Screw that.
There's money to be made, mister, and lots of it.
Nope. I understand that Microsoft's muscle doesn't approach that of the copyright cartel. However, Microsoft does have a prime channel to get the cartel's content to the people in this newfangled computer thingy the cartel's heard of.
The books on tape aren't ripped as mp3s? That is strange. I haven't had any trouble loading non-iTunes content onto my iPod. And I doubt there is too much difference between what you have to do to get those same videos loaded onto the iPod compared to loading it on a Zune.
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