Netflix has been growing its presence across various consumer devices. The service has been picking up steam making it more accessible with the Roku box and also via several Blu-ray players. It seems like Microsoft will also be integrating Netflix into the latest version of Windows soon.

Netflix was integrated on Vista Media Center previously, but many were surprised to see the service glaringly missing from Windows 7. According to AppScout, it seems Microsoft is working together with Netflix to bring the service to Windows 7 soon. The Netflix Watch Instantly service allows a user to queue up a selection of movies and watch them over IP.

This feature has opened up a new market segment dealing with streaming movies over IP. There are devices on the market such as the Roku box, and Blu-ray players from LG and Samsung that are capable of streaming Netflix HD movies as well. During the Microsoft Financial Analyst Meeting in Seattle, Mike Ybarra, GM of Windows Product Management demonstrated the new integration with Netflix with Windows 7. Apparently, the Netflix feature will be completely touch capable for those with a touchscreen and Windows 7.

This is great to hear but considering the fact that Media Center still remains largely unpopular mainstream, it will be interesting to see how many people will take advantage of this feature. Living room dedicated media computers have come a long way, but it’s still far from becoming the norm. Devices such as the dedicated Roku box or even the Blu-ray players with Netflix HD streaming capabilities have been gaining popularity.

Ybarra also teased that Microsoft will not be stopping with Netflix integration for Windows 7 and that other features are currently in the works. It will be interesting to see what other similar features will be offered via Windows 7 Media Center besides Netflix.

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Entry was posted on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pm under Internet, Media players, Microsoft, Online video.

Read more entries by Mike Ferro.
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