Microsoft Promises TV Anytime

Written by Phil Harvey

Thursday, January 8. 2009 at 10:30 AM EST Post a comment

Digg   Del.icio.us   Reddit   Email This

no ratings

• Login to Rate

LAS VEGAS -- 2009 International CES -- As usual, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)'s moves in PC, TV, and wireless phone software are the first, and often loudest, noises at this show about gadgets.

For broadband service providers, the Microsoft keynote, featuring its CEO, Steve Ballmer, was a mixed bag. For all the hints of better things to come in the IPTV universe, there is the constant concern that consumers are edging ever closer to bypassing traditional pay TV services completely.

Ballmer, as you might expect, tried to be optimistic in a tough economy. Shortly after noting that Microsoft spent $8 billion in research and development, Ballmer said: "I believe our digital lives will only get richer."

But during the Wednesday night keynote, Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices group, had the two most relevant announcements for broadband service providers.

To read on about Microsoft's announcements at CES, see the full story on Light Reading.