CES 2007: Gates’ vision – community, shared passions and games
It’s hard to be a visionary these days, but Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, certainly have gave it his best shot while speaking at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. He and Entertainment and Devices Division President Robbie Bach showed off Microsoft’s latest products, which they said are ”inspired by the universal desire to create community and share interests and passions with friends and family”.
Gates’ vision of digital future includes more content
It’s easy to be cynical about these kinds of speeches since we’ve been hearing about the digital future for the past twenty years from different IT industry gurus. However, Gates did give away some interesting insights into Microsoft’s strategic direction.
These are that Microsoft thinks that content is an important part of its Vista offering (particularly for premium editions of Vista) and so the company is further positioning itself as a content supplier.
Microsoft also realizes, perhaps obviously, that people want more flexibly in how they access their electronic content. I say “obviously”, though it seems to have taken Microsoft until 2007 to get to this point.
Gates also mentioned that gaming will be the top reason for consumers upgrading to Windows Vista.
“As the magic of software makes it easier for people to be creators, publishers and consumers of digital content, it is expanding the way we think about community and entertainment,” Gates said.
“From your living room to your car, we’re delivering a wave of new software products and services that make it easier for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and share your interests.”
Gates and Bach spoke about a number of new products and services that include new Windows Vista-inspired PCs, never-before-seen Windows Vista features, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-enabled Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and a new partnership with Ford Motor Co. that will extend digital experiences to the car (see this post). The pair also unveiled Microsoft Windows Home Server, which provides a central place to help store, protect and access all the digital content in the home.
Some of the product news included:
Windows Vista: As a part of his keynote address, Gates provided a first look at a number of Windows Vista features and announced several new content partnerships that will enable people to explore their interests and express their creativity with greater freedom than ever. Microsoft seems to be using content to make some of its more expensive versions of Vista more compelling.
For example, Windows DreamScene, available to Windows Ultimate customers through Windows Ultimate Extras, transforms the PC desktop from static background wallpaper into a full-motion, personalized video canvas. Windows Media Center SportsLounge in conjunction with FOXSports.com seamlessly combines live television, real-time scores and online sports media to keep people close to their favorite games, teams and players.
Premium versions of Windows Vista will also offer brand-new content from existing partners and new ones, including, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz.
Vista-powered PCs: Gates also unveiled a series of exciting new Windows Vista-powered PCs that ranged from desktop designs to ultra-portable models, all are scheduled to be available on January 30, models include:
- The HP TouchSmart PC, a Windows Vista-inspired PC that introduces the convenient touch-screen experience to desktop computing, serves as a fast and easy-to-access information, communication and entertainment hub designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room or living room.
- The Toshiba Portege R400 is a Windows Vista-inspired signature mobile PC that incorporates innovative connectivity and display technologies to provide timely access to e-mail and appointments via Active Notifications and is built on Windows SideShow(TM) technology.
- Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 is a stylish PC that delivers a high-performance entertainment experience so users can enjoy their favorite live and recorded TV and movies or surf the Web from their sofa using the wireless keyboard or remote control.
- The Medion UMPC is an ultra-mobile PC that provides multiple input options such as a keyboard, a pen and touch capabilities and features the new Origami Experience, a user interface that optimizes entertainment and communications on the smallest class of personal computers running Windows Vista.
Vista for gamers: According to Gates Windows Vista promises to capture the imagination of 200 million hardcore and casual PC gamers alike.
“For consumers, we believe gaming is one of the top reasons to upgrade to Windows Vista,” said Gates.
Titles such as “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” (Eidos Interactive Ltd./Funcom) and “Crysis” (EA Partners/Crytek) take advantage of DirectX 10, and offer some of the smoothest, most lifelike visual experiences available on any gaming platform today.
Microsoft also showed off “Shadowrun” (Microsoft Game Studios) and “Halo 2 for Windows Vista” (Microsoft Game Studios), the first of many titles that will enable gamers on Windows Vista to connect with their friends on Xbox 360 through the Live network.
Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV: Bach provided an early look at a new service, IPTV on Xbox 360. Bach said the offering is expected to deliver world-class TV experiences such as digital video recording capabilities, with gaming, movie viewing, and even voice and video communications.
“Our goal is to make entertainment more personal, more interactive and more social,” said Bach.
“IPTV on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are powerful examples of ways we are bringing together the worlds of gaming, TV viewing and community to make it easy for people to access and discover their favorite content and share their personal experiences with the communities they are part of.”
Windows Home Server is a new software product for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server. Windows Home Server was created to help consumers deal with the explosion in digital content.
Ford and Microsoft partnership: Gates announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players such as Zune and others. Sync, developed by Ford and based on the Microsoft Auto platform, will offer hands-free phone dialing, address-book synchronization, and other features such as the ability to read text messages through the car’s audio system.
However the future turns, one thing we can be all be sure about is that Microsoft’s near monopoly of the operating system and office suite software markets will ensure that the company continues to be one of the top players in the IT market. A very nice position to be in.
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