Microsoft Kicks Off CES

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – In keeping with tradition at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Bill Gates kicked off the expo with his typically groundbreaking predictions for the year to come and the unveiling of Microsoft’s newest technology ventures.

The computer giant’s direction in the coming year, according to Gates, will be gaining market share in the home entertainment and digital television space, a direction many technology experts have been predicting for years will serve as the ultimate point of convergence for home and business technology.

Other companies like Gateway have already released similar products on a smaller scale, but this week’s announcement marks Microsoft’s first full-scale play toward the home electronics market as a complement to its already successful Media Center edition of the Microsoft platform.

Analysts are already predicting that the digital television space will be a $24 billion industry by the year 2004, according to statistics. The industry is currently only raking in an estimated $7 billion.

According to USA Today, Microsoft unveiled a new piece of software at CES that enables televisions to play video, music, and store photos on a computer regardless of the proximity of the computer and the user’s home entertainment system.

The idea behind Microsoft’s new venture is to wirelessly connect the television with the Internet, or the entire home network with the PC, creating an interchangeable multi-media forum for the home user when it comes to merging the Internet, its content, with the more traditional uses of home entertainment.

The product is slated to hit the market sometime in mid-2004 for an undisclosed amount of money, although critics are already saying that the price is unreasonably high for the average consumer and could deter general acceptance.

The new software is applicable only to PCs running on the Media Center edition of the Windows operating system, according to USA Today, which is designed to play television shows with advanced graphics via either a high-speed or wireless connection.

Media Center typically sells on the market for around $1,000.

Additionally, Microsoft’s new home entertainment software product can only function if the user’s television is digital or comes with a digital set-top box.

According to USA Today, Xbox users will be able to utilize Microsoft’s new product by purchasing an attachment that turns it into a set-top box.

Microsoft also announced at CES that it plans to enhance it MSN portal with free streaming video from partners like ESPN and NBC, USA Today reported.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More