Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has unveiled a variety of
new products at this week’s
International Consumer Electronics
Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
The products include new mobile devices that take advantage of
the Windows Vista OS, a home server, an in-car connectivity
platform in partnership with Ford, and Internet Protocol Television
(IPTV) products that work with the Xbox 360 games and entertainment
system.
Gates said, “From your living room to your car, we’re delivering
a wave of new software products and services that make it easier
for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and
share your interests.”
The new Toshiba Portege R400 is a Windows Vista-based mobile PC
that incorporates connectivity and display technologies to provide
timely access to e-mail and appointments via Active Notifications.
It is built using Windows Sideshow technology.
The Medion UMPC is an ultra-mobile PC that provides multiple
input options such as a keyboard, a pen and touch capabilities, and
features the new Origami Experience, a user interface that
optimises entertainment and communications on the smallest class of
personal computers running Windows Vista.
A new IPTV on Xbox 360 product will offer digital video
recording capabilities, gaming, movie viewing, and voice and video
communications.
Windows Home Server is a new software product for families with
multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital
devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their
expanding collections of digital content and entertainment.
Later this year, Hewlett-Packard plans to deliver the HP
MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server.
Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides
a central location for storing a family’s photographs, music,
videos and documents. Using a personalised Windows Live internet
address, customers will be able to remotely access digital content
on Windows Home Server when they are away from home.
At CES, companies such as AMD, Inventec and Quanta Computer will
also demonstrate hardware reference designs for Windows Home
Server. Windows Home Server will serve as a platform for
independent software vendors to build innovative products for the
digital home, said Gates.
At CES, Gates announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford
to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect
personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of
mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players, including
Microsoft’s Zune.
Sync was developed by Ford and is based on the Microsoft Auto
platform. The combined solution will offer hands-free phone
dialling, address-book synchronisation, and other features such as
the ability to read text messages through the car’s audio
system.
Drivers can also control their digital music players using voice
commands or controls on the steering wheel. Sync is planned to be
available in the second half of 2007.
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