Microsoft to add DTV capability to next generation Windows
Until recently, the software giant had been touting its Microsoft TV platform as primarily a set-top box application, but with Windows the dominant software for PCs worldwide, this new move represents a new and more lucrative market for the application, which Microsoft intends to use to provide interactivity with DTV signals over the PC. Microsoft plans to release "Whistler" in the second half of 2001. The integrated product will be demonstrated for the first time at this week's IBC in Amsterdam.
The announcement comes amid criticism by US and European cable operators who are upset with Microsoft over delays in providing its interactive software for digital set-top boxes. AT&T and European cable company UPC have threatened to take their business to other interactive TV developers, including OpenTV and Liberate to pick up the slack.
Analysts criticized Microsoft's latest announcement as a diversionary tactic to distract attention from its deployment problems but a company spokesman denies the accusation, explaining that Microsoft had been planning the demonstration at IBC for months and that the timing was just coincidental.
By Tom Butts
Managing Editor, Digital Broadcasting.com