Microsoft has officially landed at CES. Led by an address from founder Bill Gates, the company announced a few new features for the Xbox 360 console, the most interesting being IPTV, which allows the system to act as a digital video recorder (DVR). For those familiar with TiVo, it’s a similar idea.
The news is further proof that Microsoft wants the Xbox 360 to become the central media device in hardcore gamer and media fan homes. Now described as an “entertainment device” and not just a gaming platform, the 360 has seen the addition of an HD DVD player and downloadable HD content in only the last sixty days.
IPTV is the latest update to the Xbox 360’s gradual transformation. In partnership with AT&T, British Telecom, Swiss Telecom, and Deutsch Telecom (amongst eleven others), the recording experience is set to launch next holiday season.
Here are some of the highlights of IPTV, as revealed by Gates at CES:
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Record television while also playing a game
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Watch television while engaged in a friends list chat
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Picture in picture functionality
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Movies on demand
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Video searches based on actor and director names
Although IPTV is certainly an ambitious idea, it remains clear that it’s far from ready. Much of the program depends on media support from providers, meaning this thing could certainly be a little ahead of its time.
We’ll find out next Christmas.
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