![\"Microsoft](\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/images\/press\/2008\/01-06GatesCES_lg.jpg\" "\\"Microsoft")
<\/a> <\/p>\nMicrosoft Chairman Bill Gates delivers his keynote address to the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.<\/b> <\/p>\n
Click for high-res version<\/a> <\/p>\n According to Bach, the continuing success of Xbox is another indication of the power of digital technology to transform the way people access and experience entertainment of all kinds. Sales of 17.7 million consoles this holiday season surpassed original expectations and put Xbox 360 on track to register the biggest year in video game history as U.S. consumers spent more on the Xbox 360 platform in 2007 than on any other gaming platform. <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153With its continued momentum in games, accessories and digital entertainment via our leading online service Xbox LIVE, and record-setting games and accessory attach rates, evidence is everywhere that Xbox 360 is thriving,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bach said. <\/p>\n Zune to Launch in Canada; Zune Social Grows Rapidly<\/b> <\/p>\n Adding to the entertainment momentum, Bach announced that Zune will be available in Canada in spring 2008, the first time the family of digital music players will be available outside the U.S. Microsoft also announced that since the November launch of Zune Social, more than 1.5 million people have joined the music-focused social network, demonstrating how Zune is tapping into consumers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 desire to share their musical passions with their broader community. <\/p>\n Windows Vista Hits 100 Million Licenses; Shows Latest \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fashion\u00e2\u20ac\u009d PCs<\/b> <\/p>\n During the keynote, Gates talked about the ongoing transformation of the personal computer and he shared sales figures for Windows Vista that indicate that the PC and the Windows platform remains a central catalyst for the advances of the Digital Decade. According to Gates, the company has sold more than 100 million Windows Vista licenses to date. <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153For more than 25 years, Windows has unlocked the power of personal computing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gates said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now we are expanding Windows to go where you want to go and do what you want to do on PCs, the Web and mobile devices. The result is connected experiences that extend across people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lives, interests and communities, at home and at work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n In additi \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 <\/p>\n ASUS-Lamborghini VX3. <\/b>Available in the first quarter of 2008, this PC is ultrathin and lightweight, and comes with a 12.1-inch-wide LED backlit panel and premium leather-bound palm rest with exquisite stitch detailing reminiscent of that in a Lamborghini automobile. <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 <\/p>\n Lenovo IdeaPad U110.<\/b> Available in January 2008, this super-slim notebook weighs just over two pounds and is embellished with a tendril texture etched into a red metal cover and includes a Dolby Home Theater system and optional Solid State Drives. <\/p>\n Robbie Bach, Microsoft President, Entertainment and Devices Division, speaks during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 6, 2008.<\/b> <\/p>\n Click for high-res version<\/a> <\/p>\n New IPTV Experiences; Microsoft Mediaroom Now on 1 Million Set-Top Boxes <\/b> <\/p>\n Other announcements highlight the ongoing impact that digital technology and software plus services are having on the way people experience television. Showtime Networks Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s TNT and CNN networks all introduced new TV applications capable of delivering the most advanced digital TV services on the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform, which is enabling over 20 of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s leading broadband service providers to deliver advanced digital TV services. <\/p>\n Examples of innovative new television experiences include the ability to view NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vantage point by choosing from a series of in-car cameras on broadcasts by TNT; to watch boxing matches by selecting different camera angles and audio feeds on Showtime; and to access the richness of CNN.com\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 2008 presidential election coverage while watching CNN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s television broadcast. <\/p>\n Microsoft also announced that Mediaroom is now running on 1 million set-top boxes worldwide and unveiled a new offering called DVR Anywhere, giving customers the flexibility of watching their recorded programs on multiple TVs in the home. <\/p>\n In addition, Microsoft announced that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will support Extender for Windows Media Center, enabling televisions to stream HD content from any Windows Vista-based PCs with Windows Media Center over a wired or dual-band Wireless-N home network. This partnership builds on strong momentum and a growing set of online services, including the recent beta release of Windows Media Center Internet TV, which offers more than 100 hours of ad-supported entertainment from MSN Video, including full-length shows, music concerts and movie trailers. <\/p>\n New Interfaces Drive Future of Computing: Speech, Vision, Touch and More<\/b> <\/p>\n Examples of the growing prevalence of more natural user interfaces were also on display during the keynote. Bach previewed a new version of Tellme, Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s integrated voice-and-visual mobile service that enables people to use voice commands to say what they want and see the answer on their phone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s screen. The new service uses Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities to identify the caller\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s location, yielding results that are significantly more relevant. Tellme is available today on AT&T Wireless and Sprint phones and will be available in future versions of Windows Mobile. <\/p>\n For example, a person can \u00e2\u20ac\u0153call\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Web on a mobile phone and say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153movies\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and the software will recognize where the person is located and send to that mobile phone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s screen a list of the theaters closest to that location. Furthermore, Microsoft gave an early glimpse of how future versions may also offer the ability to purchase movie tickets from a mobile phone and share the movie information with friends and family via a text message. <\/p>\n Bach also demoed voice-activated technology for the car, including Sync, a fully integrated in-car communications and infotainment system for mobile phones and digital music players that has been available in select Ford models since September. Ford Motor Co., which expects to sell more than 1 million vehicles with Sync by early 2009, unveiled the new 911 Assist feature that connects drivers with emergency services in the case of an accident or emergency. <\/p>\n Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq \u00e2\u20ac\u0153MSFT\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. <\/p>\n Note to editors:<\/i> If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass<\/a> on Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/contactpr.mspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LAS VEGAS \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Jan. 6, 2008 \u00e2\u20ac\u201d At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[338],"class_list":["post-28","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\non to technology advances that continue to make PCs more powerful, more portable and more affordable, there is a growing emphasis on style. Independent research firm Forrester Research Inc. has predicted that the period between now and 2012 will be the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Age of Style\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for the consumer PC industry, with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153strategists and marketers weaving design concerns into their thinking about every facet of their company\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s strategies as style and design becomes a critical brand attribute.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Age Of Style In Consumer PCs,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Forrester Research, June 25, 2007). Examples from several hardware manufacturers were shown in a video during the CES keynote, including these: <\/p>\n<\/a> <\/p>\n
![Click for high-res version<\/a> <\/p>\nNew IPTV Experiences; Microsoft Mediaroom Now on 1 Million Set-Top Boxes <\/b> <\/p>\nOther announcements highlight the ongoing impact that digital technology and software plus services are having on the way people experience television. Showtime Networks Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s TNT and CNN networks all introduced new TV applications capable of delivering the most advanced digital TV services on the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform, which is enabling over 20 of the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s leading broadband service providers to deliver advanced digital TV services. <\/p>\nExamples of innovative new television experiences include the ability to view NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vantage point by choosing from a series of in-car cameras on broadcasts by TNT; to watch boxing matches by selecting different camera angles and audio feeds on Showtime; and to access the richness of CNN.com\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 2008 presidential election coverage while watching CNN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s television broadcast. <\/p>\nMicrosoft also announced that Mediaroom is now running on 1 million set-top boxes worldwide and unveiled a new offering called DVR Anywhere, giving customers the flexibility of watching their recorded programs on multiple TVs in the home. <\/p>\nIn addition, Microsoft announced that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will support Extender for Windows Media Center, enabling televisions to stream HD content from any Windows Vista-based PCs with Windows Media Center over a wired or dual-band Wireless-N home network. This partnership builds on strong momentum and a growing set of online services, including the recent beta release of Windows Media Center Internet TV, which offers more than 100 hours of ad-supported entertainment from MSN Video, including full-length shows, music concerts and movie trailers. <\/p>\nNew Interfaces Drive Future of Computing: Speech, Vision, Touch and More<\/b> <\/p>\nExamples of the growing prevalence of more natural user interfaces were also on display during the keynote. Bach previewed a new version of Tellme, Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s integrated voice-and-visual mobile service that enables people to use voice commands to say what they want and see the answer on their phone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s screen. The new service uses Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities to identify the caller\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s location, yielding results that are significantly more relevant. Tellme is available today on AT&T Wireless and Sprint phones and will be available in future versions of Windows Mobile. <\/p>\nFor example, a person can \u00e2\u20ac\u0153call\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Web on a mobile phone and say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153movies\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and the software will recognize where the person is located and send to that mobile phone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s screen a list of the theaters closest to that location. Furthermore, Microsoft gave an early glimpse of how future versions may also offer the ability to purchase movie tickets from a mobile phone and share the movie information with friends and family via a text message. <\/p>\nBach also demoed voice-activated technology for the car, including Sync, a fully integrated in-car communications and infotainment system for mobile phones and digital music players that has been available in select Ford models since September. Ford Motor Co., which expects to sell more than 1 million vehicles with Sync by early 2009, unveiled the new 911 Assist feature that connects drivers with emergency services in the case of an accident or emergency. <\/p>\nFounded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq \u00e2\u20ac\u0153MSFT\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. <\/p>\nNote to editors:<\/i> If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass<\/a> on Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/contactpr.mspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LAS VEGAS \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Jan. 6, 2008 \u00e2\u20ac\u201d At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[338],"class_list":["post-28","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plexuk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/presspass\/images\/press\/2008\/01-06CESBach_lg.jpg\"){kind=link}