[opendtv] PR: Gates at CES
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 08:23:16 -0500
Now that the cable guys are going to CES, what will they learn from
latest and greatest Gates demos?
Gates Showcases Technology Breakthroughs, Alliances and Market
Momentum That Bring Microsoft's Digital Lifestyle Vision to Life
REDMOND, WA USA 09/09/2003
CES Keynote Features Consumer-Focused Innovations in Music, Photos,
Movies, Television, Gaming and Communications; and New Alliances With
Industry Leaders Including MTV Networks, TiVo and BellSouth
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In his keynote address at
2005 International CES, Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software
Architect Bill Gates outlined his vision for the digital lifestyle
and demonstrated a broad range of innovations that will enhance the
lives of millions of people worldwide. Underscoring the importance of
choice and flexibility in bringing the digital lifestyle into the
mainstream, Gates showcased innovations in digital music, photos,
television and movies, gaming, and communications, and showed how
Microsoft and its partners are leading the industry in bringing to
life the experiences consumers want.
"We are at the forefront in making broad technology investments and
delivering breakthroughs that bring the digital lifestyle into the
mainstream," Gates said. "Our strategy is to deliver great software
and a platform for partner innovation, so consumers can choose from a
vast array of devices and services that work together seamlessly and
suit the way they live." Gates unveiled groundbreaking new alliances
that utilize the power and flexibility of Windows(R) to make
consumers' digital experiences richer and more personal. Among his
announcements were these:
-- An agreement with MTV Networks (MTVN) that will create new ways
for consumers to access MTV content through a variety of digital
entertainment products. As part of this agreement, MTV intends to
launch a new PlaysForSure(TM)-compliant MTVN digital music service
with portable subscription capabilities. -- New digital music and
video devices that expand Microsoft's PlaysForSure logo program to
more than 50 currently verified devices and seven online services,
ranging from small, low-cost, flash-based players to full-featured
hard-disk-based units and forthcoming network-connected
high-definition televisions (HDTVs) and DVD players. Gates also
announced that 90 million copies of Windows Media(R) Player 10 have
been downloaded since its launch in October. -- Continued momentum
around interactive entertainment, with Media Center PC sales doubling
year over year, surpassing 1.4 million units globally and growing by
40 percent in just three months -- An agreement with BellSouth Corp.
to test next-generation TV services using Microsoft(R) TV IPTV
Edition -- Strong momentum for the Xbox(R) system, with
industry-leading sales for the 2004 holiday season, and expected
sales of more than 20 million consoles by July 2005. The "Halo(R) 2"
game generated $125 million in revenue in its first weekend of
availability, surpassing the biggest opening weekend in box-office
history, for "Spiderman," which generated just under $115 million.
-- A new collaboration with TiVo Inc. that will enable TiVo
subscribers to easily transfer their recorded TV content from a
standalone TiVo Series 2 standalone digital video recorder to their
Windows XP-based and Media Center PCs, Windows Mobile(TM)-based
Portable Media Centers, Pocket PCs or Smartphones using new TiVoToGo
software
Gates also demonstrated the Nikon D2X digital camera with integrated
802.11 wireless networking capabilities, and two devices that use
Windows Media Connect to extend the reach of digital content: a new
connected HDTV from Digitrex for access to digital media in the home,
and a DVD player-recorder and digital video recorder (DVR) from LG
Electronics Inc. that can access music, photos and video from Windows
XP-based PCs. Capitalizing on the theme of entertainment experiences,
this year's opening address was hosted by late-night talk-show
personality Conan O'Brien and webcast live to millions of viewers on
Microsoft.com.
Extending the Reach of Digital Media
Gates underscored Microsoft's differentiated approach to delivering
the digital lifestyle: "Great software can bring consumers a vast
array of devices and services that all work together seamlessly." He
showcased how new digital music players from Archos Inc., iRiver,
Samsung Electronics America and Gateway Inc. expand the company's
PlaysForSure logo program to more than 50 currently verified devices,
ranging from small, low-cost, flash-based players to full-featured,
hard-disk-based units, network-connected HDTVs and DVD players. Gates
also announced that consumers have downloaded 90 million copies of
Windows Media Player 10 -- the equivalent of eight downloads per
second since its launch in October. Devices and services that bear
the PlaysForSure logo help take the complexity and uncertainty out of
digital media, effortlessly playing the digital audio and video
consumers want, including more than 1 million tracks available on the
MSN(R) Music service, as well as other online stores currently
available in the Windows Media Player 10 Digital Media Mall. In the
area of digital memories, Gates and O'Brien showed how the Windows
platform is enabling seamless experiences by unveiling Nikon's new
D2X digital camera. In a demonstration, O'Brien took photos and
wirelessly transferred them to a Windows XP Media Center Edition
2005-based PC and then to a Windows Mobile-based Smartphone.
The Digital Lifestyle, Built on Windows Innovation In his keynote
address, Gates showed how the power and versatility of the Windows
platform is making it possible to create PCs and consumer electronics
devices that seamlessly bring together all aspects of the digital
lifestyle. Noting the increased convergence of PC and TV
technologies, Gates unveiled new Windows XP Media Center Edition
2005-based PCs from Alienware Corp., HP, Niveus Media Inc., Stack 9
Systems Corp. and Ricavision International Inc. that provide access
to consumers' favorite TV shows as well as their photos, music and
video, and advanced functionality such as Imaging Science
Foundation-certified HDTV. He announced a forthcoming DVD recorder
and DVR from LG Electronics, built on Windows CE, that enables
consumers to record and burn DVDs of their favorite shows and share
content with their Windows XP-based and Windows XP Media Center
Edition-based PCs. Gates then demonstrated advanced universal remote
controls from Royal Philips Electronics, Niveus and Logitech
International SA that control Media Center PCs as well as consumers'
existing home theater equipment. To further show how the capabilities
of Windows can enhance the devices people use today, Gates
demonstrated the first network-connected television designed to
support playback of music and video from online stores with the
PlaysForSure logo. The new 46-inch LCD HDTV from Digitrex uses
Windows Media Connect and Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10
to stream digital photos and personal media from any Windows XP-based
PC, as well as download and subscription music and video from
PlaysForSure online stores. He noted that this new type of TV design
also is being evaluated by Pioneer for its HD plasma displays, and
that these kinds of innovations are creating new opportunities for
consumer electronics companies and extending the reach and choice of
digital media for consumers.
The Future of Television, Rolling Out Today Gates then focused on the
tremendous potential of Internet protocol-based TV (IPTV) services,
and noted how Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software is providing a
platform for network operators worldwide to deliver next-generation
pay-TV services. This powerful software provides the video platform
for operators to offer their subscribers integrated video, voice,
data and mobile services that are not available on today's TV
distribution platforms. Gates announced that BellSouth has joined the
growing list of customers, including SBC Communications Inc., Bell
Canada and several leading telecommunications operators worldwide,
that will trial IPTV services powered by Microsoft TV software. In
addition, SBC Services recently announced an agreement with
Microsoft, valued at more than $400 million over 10 years, to license
and deploy Microsoft TV IPTV Edition to millions of its subscribers.
Lea Ann Champion, executive vice president, SBC IP Operations &
Services, took the stage to demonstrate a number of the features this
software will make possible, including HD programming, DVR features,
video on demand and multiple picture- in-picture capabilities.
New Content, More Choices - at Home and on the Go The tremendous
growth in devices has been matched by an expanding range of audio and
video content, as Gates demonstrated through a number of
announcements and alliances. He highlighted the new collaboration
between Microsoft and TiVo that will enable customers using a TiVo
Series 2 standalone digital video recorder and new TiVoToGo software
to easily transfer recorded TV content to their Windows XP-based PCs.
TiVo expects that within 60 days, consumers also will be able to
transfer the same content from the PC to Windows Mobile devices,
including Portable Media Centers, Smartphones and Pocket PCs. TiVo
announced that it expects its standalone TiVo Series 2 subscribers to
have access to the software within 60 days. "We share Microsoft's
excitement about the possibilities for digital entertainment," said
Mike Ramsay, chief executive officer of TiVo. "When we launched TiVo,
it changed the way people enjoyed their favorite shows -- from prime
time to anytime. When Microsoft launched Portable Media Centers, it
gave people the ability to take them on the go. This gives our
customers the best of both worlds -- to have their favorite
programming available wherever and whenever they want it." Gates then
announced a groundbreaking agreement with MTV Networks to collaborate
on long-term digital media initiatives that will create new ways for
consumers to access content -- including from MTV, VH1, CMT and
Comedy Central -- through a variety of digital entertainment products
and scenarios. As part of the agreement, MTV will target its content
offerings to Media Center PCs and Portable Media Centers and intends
to launch a new PlaysForSure-compliant MTVN digital music service
with portable subscription capabilities, available in the Windows
Media 10 Digital Media Mall. "MTV Networks shares Microsoft's vision
for making it easier for consumers to get the entertainment and
information they want, and this agreement is a major step toward that
goal," said Judy McGrath, chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. "Using
Microsoft's technology, we'll be able to give our consumers a deeper,
more connected experience by providing them with the ability to enjoy
MTV, VH1, CMT and Comedy Central content whenever and wherever they
choose." Gates then highlighted the new MSN Video Downloads service,
which provides a single source for sports, news and entertainment
content for Portable Media Centers and other Windows Mobile-based
devices, including daily video downloads from a wide range of leading
content providers including MSNBC, CNBC, FOX Sports, HGTV, Cookie Jar
Entertainment and IFILM Corp. MSN Video Downloads (
http://video.msn.com/downloads ) has launched a preview of the
service offering both free and premium memberships, and the site is
expected to launch in final form within a few months.
Xbox Leading the Way in Interactive Entertainment Gates noted the
continued momentum around Xbox and the Xbox Live(TM) service,
announcing the industry-leading sales of the Xbox console for the
critical 2004 holiday season in the United States, garnering a
projected 40 percent market share for the months of November and
December. The much-anticipated "Halo 2" title, launched Nov. 9, has
sold more than 6.3 million copies to date, surpassing the sales to
date of the first "Halo" title. "Halo 2"'s opening-day revenue of
$125 million in the United States and Canada surpassed the biggest
opening weekend in box-office history, for "Spiderman," which
generated just under $115 million. The hot Xbox role- playing game
title "Fable" also broke the 1 million sales mark in only two months.
Xbox Live experienced the highest activity levels ever, with more
than 1 million unique users playing on the service and "Halo 2"
gamers spending a record-breaking 69 million hours on the service to
date - more than any other Xbox Live game. Gates outlined three major
trends driving the gaming phenomenon today: HDTV, ubiquitous
broadband and wireless connectivity, and rich personalization. To
demonstrate the latter point, he joined O'Brien to play "Forza
Motorsport(TM)," an auto racing game from Microsoft Game Studios
scheduled to launch in April 2005. Gates and O'Brien raced through
Manhattan in customized cars, showing off the title's immersive,
engaging gaming experiences -- and their lack of online driving
skills.
Communication and Content on More Devices Every Day Turning to
communications and mobility, Gates highlighted that Microsoft Windows
Mobile-based Smartphones are now available from 61 mobile operators
in 28 countries and that 37 partners are shipping more than 25
Windows Mobile-based phone designs. Gates demonstrated how the
Windows Mobile-based Audiovox SMT5600 Smartphone can synchronize
audio and video content using Windows Media Player 10, enabling users
to play audio from subscription services and access video content
from their PC. He also announced that Microsoft, Cingular Wireless
LLC and Garmin International Inc. will deliver new consumer devices
running Windows Mobile software this year, and that Ecast Inc.,
Universal Electronics Inc. and Akimbo Systems are shipping new
consumer devices using Windows Embedded technology. Gates
demonstrated prototype technology from Microsoft Research that
enables users of Windows Mobile-based Smartphones to remotely browse
and display photos stored on their home or office PC. Gates then
highlighted the momentum behind Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects
Technology and Smart Watches for MSN Direct by introducing three new
wristwatches from Fossil Inc. and Suunto, and alliances with Oregon
Scientific Inc. and M.Z. Berger and Co. to develop alarm clocks
featuring MSN Direct weather content. Gates also announced that the
amount of content available to consumers has doubled since last
year's launch, and noted expanded network coverage in metropolitan
areas throughout the United States and Canada. Gates concluded his
keynote address by looking back at the year's amazing progress in
consumer technologies and outlining a number of key trends that will
shape the future of the consumer electronics industry. Noting the
continued growth in storage capacity and network bandwidth, he
predicted that individual devices will soon be able to store as much
data as today's largest music services, and how ultrawideband
networking will make it possible to create even more diverse and
innovative smart devices. "This holiday season was a milestone for
Microsoft and its partners -- we've seen how the power of software
can enhance consumers' digital experiences, help ensure that they
work together seamlessly, and offer people more choices than ever,"
Gates said. "The digital lifestyle is here to stay."
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, PlaysForSure, Windows Media, Xbox, Halo,
Windows Mobile, MSN, Xbox Live and Forza Motorsport are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United
States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and
products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
Web Site: http://www.microsoft.com
Photo Notes: NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO AP Archive:
http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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