Gates takes wraps off Windows Vista

Itsme · 01-04-2006, 10:49 PM

Gates takes wraps off Windows Vista
By Daisuke Wakabayashi

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Chairman Bill Gates took the wraps off its next-generation operating system known as Windows Vista on Wednesday, displaying features aimed at positioning the software giant as the entertainment hub for a future of digitally connected homes.

Among the features of the much anticipated upgrade to Microsoft's flagship operating system is one that will allow users to plug their digital cable directly into their PC to watch and record high-definition cable content.

Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and chief software architect, delivered his keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in front of a packed audience eager to sneak a peek at Vista.

As broadband and high-definition content becomes ever more ubiquitous, Gates said the unifying factor will be software.

"The software is where the magic is. If you're going to have all this power be simple enough, appealing enough and cool enough, it's going to be because the software is right," Gates said in an interview with Reuters in advance of his address at the largest U.S. electronics show of the year.

Vista, targeted for shipment in the second half of 2006, will include the next version of Windows Media Center that is fully compatible with high definition programing, and Internet Explorer that promises improved security protection.

The five-year gap between the expected launch of Vista and Microsoft's current operating system, Windows XP, is the longest-ever gap between major launches of its core Windows product, the company's cash cow that accounts for more than a quarter of its $40 billion in annual revenue.

New features of Vista highlighted by Gates included Windows Media Center's plug-and-play technology which can accept digital cable cards that allow high-definition programing without a set-top box.

Gates touted this as one of the features that will create a true multimedia experience.

"Getting the video sources into the PC has been a limiting factor," said Gates in the interview. "We're making progress making the video content easily accessible on the PC."

Microsoft said it will also work together with DIRECTV to enable the transfer of digital content among Windows PCs, DIRECTV devices and the Xbox 360 to allow customers to watch movies and programs they get on their TV and play them on a number of different devices.

Better graphics for video games, a new user interface, easier search across the PC's hard drive and improved parental controls are among the other key features of Vista highlighted by Gates.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft also unveiled MTV Network's Urge Music Service, which will be built into Windows Media Center 11 and offers users instant access to 2 million songs and videos in MTV's library.

Kudos · 01-05-2006, 12:31 PM

damn, and I just bought MCE and a regular tv tuner!

johnnymk · 01-05-2006, 01:47 PM

I am not impressed. Everything that will be available in Vista can be gotten already through other sources. And probably cheaper.

Kudos · 01-06-2006, 07:50 AM

of course it can be, everything on MCE2005 can be found through other venues, and cheaper. However, MCE2005 has everything together already and so will Windows Vista

zero2dash · 01-06-2006, 09:20 PM

Vector-based icons are cool and all, but Vista having 2x the ram requirements of XP (ie 512 for Vista vs 256 for XP)? That's not cool.

...not that my PCs don't have enough for it...but, that's just ridiculous. I think I'll be sticking with XP myself...if I'm jonesing for the fact that the default user is a 'user' (and not an admin) and the 'authentication' features of Linux/OSX...well then I'll just either get a Mac (likely) or use Linux (less likely).

Memo · 01-06-2006, 09:55 PM

Same ol' backlash that MS gets everytime they release a new Windows. Pretty soon we'll all be using it anyways.

Itsme · 01-06-2006, 10:28 PM

I spent some time at the Microsoft both at CES today and had a marketing person give me a tour of the new IE7...I like it.

01-04-2006, 10:49 PM	#1
Itsme Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,813	Gates takes wraps off Windows Vista Gates takes wraps off Windows Vista By Daisuke Wakabayashi LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Chairman Bill Gates took the wraps off its next-generation operating system known as Windows Vista on Wednesday, displaying features aimed at positioning the software giant as the entertainment hub for a future of digitally connected homes. Among the features of the much anticipated upgrade to Microsoft's flagship operating system is one that will allow users to plug their digital cable directly into their PC to watch and record high-definition cable content. Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and chief software architect, delivered his keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in front of a packed audience eager to sneak a peek at Vista. As broadband and high-definition content becomes ever more ubiquitous, Gates said the unifying factor will be software. "The software is where the magic is. If you're going to have all this power be simple enough, appealing enough and cool enough, it's going to be because the software is right," Gates said in an interview with Reuters in advance of his address at the largest U.S. electronics show of the year. Vista, targeted for shipment in the second half of 2006, will include the next version of Windows Media Center that is fully compatible with high definition programing, and Internet Explorer that promises improved security protection. The five-year gap between the expected launch of Vista and Microsoft's current operating system, Windows XP, is the longest-ever gap between major launches of its core Windows product, the company's cash cow that accounts for more than a quarter of its $40 billion in annual revenue. New features of Vista highlighted by Gates included Windows Media Center's plug-and-play technology which can accept digital cable cards that allow high-definition programing without a set-top box. Gates touted this as one of the features that will create a true multimedia experience. "Getting the video sources into the PC has been a limiting factor," said Gates in the interview. "We're making progress making the video content easily accessible on the PC." Microsoft said it will also work together with DIRECTV to enable the transfer of digital content among Windows PCs, DIRECTV devices and the Xbox 360 to allow customers to watch movies and programs they get on their TV and play them on a number of different devices. Better graphics for video games, a new user interface, easier search across the PC's hard drive and improved parental controls are among the other key features of Vista highlighted by Gates. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft also unveiled MTV Network's Urge Music Service, which will be built into Windows Media Center 11 and offers users instant access to 2 million songs and videos in MTV's library.

01-05-2006, 12:31 PM	#2
Kudos Lieutenant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 339	damn, and I just bought MCE and a regular tv tuner! __________________ Shut up, dummy.

01-05-2006, 01:47 PM	#3
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	I am not impressed. Everything that will be available in Vista can be gotten already through other sources. And probably cheaper. __________________ “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” (Winston Churchill)

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01-06-2006, 07:50 AM	#4
Kudos Lieutenant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 339	of course it can be, everything on MCE2005 can be found through other venues, and cheaper. However, MCE2005 has everything together already and so will Windows Vista

01-06-2006, 09:20 PM	#5
zero2dash Commander Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Fenton, MO - but I wish I was at the beach. ANY beach. Posts: 1,367	Vector-based icons are cool and all, but Vista having 2x the ram requirements of XP (ie 512 for Vista vs 256 for XP)? That's not cool. ...not that my PCs don't have enough for it...but, that's just ridiculous. I think I'll be sticking with XP myself...if I'm jonesing for the fact that the default user is a 'user' (and not an admin) and the 'authentication' features of Linux/OSX...well then I'll just either get a Mac (likely) or use Linux (less likely).

01-06-2006, 09:55 PM	#6
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	Same ol' backlash that MS gets everytime they release a new Windows. Pretty soon we'll all be using it anyways.

01-06-2006, 10:28 PM	#7
Itsme Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,813	I spent some time at the Microsoft both at CES today and had a marketing person give me a tour of the new IE7...I like it.

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