Filed under: Feature | Tags: 2008, ABC, Bill Gates, CES, Disney, IPTV, Keynote, Media Center Extender, MGM, Microsoft, Slash, Sync, XBox Live
CES Buzz: Bill Gates’ Keynote
Bill Gates took the stage last night in what he described as his last keynote at CES. Check out the highlights below. But first, check out a video of Gates’ last day at Microsoft. Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft, is stepping down from his day-to-day role. As of July, Gates will continue as Chairman and advise on key development projects shifting direction to spend more time on his global health and education.
The Highlights:
Highlights Video Part 1
- A partnership with NBC whereby MSN will be the exclusive online provider of live, on demand footage from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
- Xbox Live is literally killing it amassing 10 million members to date. New TV content will be added to the Xbox live platform, available for direct download from ABC and Disney. This will amount to over 500 hours of content available in standard definition and high definition. Very cool. New film content will also be available on the Xbox platform care of MGM, also available in both standard definition and high definition.
- Microsoft’s Media Room IPTV upgrades with a new application in union with partners: CNN, TNT, and Showtime. This application, distributed via AT&T U-Verse, allows users to change the camera angle while watching video. For example, as an example from Showtime, viewers watching a boxing event can change the camera and audio feed from the perspective of the trainer, ref, or the commentators. Double cool.
- Samsung supports Media Center extender to offer a connected TV with MCE compatibility.
- British Telecom will be the first provider to offer the Xbox as a set-top box.
- Reference to the Zune as the “clear alternative to the iPod” announcing that the Zune will be offered for sale in Canada. Bold statements. BOLD. Can’t wait to see what Jobs’ response will be to that one at MacWorld. . .
- Microsoft Sync to offer 911 Assist. On-Star anyone?
- Slash. At the end of the keynote, Slash took the stage after a brief demo of Guitar Hero. Later, Slash was seen walking through the casino with 4 large body guards. Love the Slash. Don’t touch the Slash.
All in all a bit lackluster, but a few interesting announcements none the less.
Highlights Video Part 2
Microsoft boss Bill Gates is unveiling a prototype navigation device that stores photos, plays videos and suggests nearby options for shopping and dining. Also, Microsoft’s Xbox Live online video-game service will begin selling television shows from Disney’s ABC. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aqzxdooZC3xU 1/6)
Bill Gates, making his final keynote address at the 2008 International CES, applauded the industry for completing its first “digital decade.” Gates, who will retire from his full-time position at Microsoft this summer, predicts the industry will become more focused on connecting people, as well as creating natural interfaces that respond to speech and touch. (Los Angeles Times 1/7, Yahoo!/Agence France-Presse 1/6)
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