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Gates lifts curtain on next version of Windows
Microsoft chairman highlights digital entertainment, jests at Google rumors
 | “Consumers are getting more and more connected, and software is at the center of that,” Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said Wednesday in Las Vegas, delivering the opening keynote speech at the International Consumer Electronics Show. |
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LAS VEGAS - Rival Google Inc. may be nipping at its heels, but Microsoft Corp. wasn’t flashing any defeatist signs Wednesday as it showcased its latest plans to help make living in the digital world safer, easier and more fun.
In his 10th keynote to kick off the International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates highlighted the Windows Vista program, a major operating system upgrade set for release later this year.
He also discussed how Microsoft’s Xbox game console and media-oriented software for PCs and electronics gadgets are aiming to help consumers connect more easily with each other, get more entertainment, and deliver more high-definition video. (MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)
“Consumers are getting more and more connected, and software is at the center of that,” Gates said.
Gates did not announce a specific release date for Windows Vista, but discussed and demonstrated for the first time some of its new components.
Vista will feature faster, improved searches for data, music, photos or video content. It will have an updated media player allowing users to more easily play digital content from any PC in the house. Vista will also integrate for the first time parental controls, specifying hours of use, or limiting, for instance, the kinds of video games a child can play, based on the industry rating.
Plus, Vista will add support for high-definition video via the burgeoning “CableCard” technology that lets users get digital cable simply by inserting an access card from their cable operators.
Focus on digital media
Gates also highlighted Microsoft's progress in promoting digital entertainment and services, and bringing its platform to an increasing number of electronics devices.
Some examples: the brand new Windows-based Treo smartphone from Palm Inc.; the upcoming movie download service from Starz Entertainment Group that will allow users to view full-length films and TV shows on a crop of new Windows-based portable devices; and a growing slate of entertainment-oriented machines based on the Windows Media Center Edition. One of the PCs will be smaller than a shoebox and cost under $1,000.
Gates also announced a multiyear partnership with satellite TV provider DirecTV Group Inc. to get the company’s satellite video directly onto Media Center-based devices.
Media Center-based PCs picked up a lot of traction in 2005, Gates said. Cumulative unit sales to date are 6.5 million worldwide, of which 5.5 million were logged last year, he said.
In addition, Intel Corp., which is promoting its so-called Viiv chip technologies aimed for multimedia machines for the networked, digital home, will require that Viiv customers base their products on Microsoft’s Media Center Edition.
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