CES: Microsoft Music Service and Entertainment
Bill Gates gave his keynote speech at CES on Wednesday night. CNN offers a summary of events of the presentation.
Microsoft unveiled a new music service called "Urge". Previous reports of Urge had revealed that Microsoft and MTV were joining forces for the new music service. The new service launches with over 2 million songs for purchase or subscription-based service. Few other details are otherwise available. The Urge.com site simply says "Coming Soon." Urge will be promoted through their Windows Media Player and appears to be Microsoft's answer to iTunes.
Gates also announced partnerships with Intel and their Viiv platform which will allow users to have more entertainment based machines -- providing DVR functionality and more. Microsoft's upcoming revision to Windows called "Vista" will be the operating system for these machines.
Also mentioned:
- DirecTV Content transferable to Portable Media Centers
- Upcoming HD-DVD support for Xbox 360
Intel's keynote takes place Thursday night and will presumably reveal more information about the Yonah and the Viiv platform. Traditionally, CES has been of limited direct interest to the Macintosh platform, but with the switch to Intel processors taking place, Intel's plans become far more relevant.
Microsoft unveiled a new music service called "Urge". Previous reports of Urge had revealed that Microsoft and MTV were joining forces for the new music service. The new service launches with over 2 million songs for purchase or subscription-based service. Few other details are otherwise available. The Urge.com site simply says "Coming Soon." Urge will be promoted through their Windows Media Player and appears to be Microsoft's answer to iTunes.
Gates also announced partnerships with Intel and their Viiv platform which will allow users to have more entertainment based machines -- providing DVR functionality and more. Microsoft's upcoming revision to Windows called "Vista" will be the operating system for these machines.
Also mentioned:
- DirecTV Content transferable to Portable Media Centers
- Upcoming HD-DVD support for Xbox 360
Intel's keynote takes place Thursday night and will presumably reveal more information about the Yonah and the Viiv platform. Traditionally, CES has been of limited direct interest to the Macintosh platform, but with the switch to Intel processors taking place, Intel's plans become far more relevant.
Top Rated Comments
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80 months ago
Without an iPod killer, Urge will fail. I might be eating crow in a few years though, if Apple royally screws up not licensing Fairplay
80 months ago
note: MacRumors hasn't traditionally covered much of CES in the past... because it mostly wasn't relevant to the Mac in particular. This year, things have changed a bit. So, a bit of coverage to keep us up to speed. Intel's keynote might be somewhat interesting. Since it's supposed to be the launching ground for Yonah/Viiv.
arn
arn
80 months ago
I don't know, I'm really not going to slam MS on their performance tonight. To me the technology they unveiled looks very exciting, even if it is from Microsoft.
I am excited to see what Apple rolls out next week, but am also excited we're getting Intel technology from now on too :)
I am excited to see what Apple rolls out next week, but am also excited we're getting Intel technology from now on too :)
80 months ago
Too little too late on the part of Microsoft I think..... I might be wrong though
80 months ago
From the CES reports so far I'm a bit concerned for iPod. iPod has taken the mp3 player market, problem now is it's the media center to go market.
The reports for the Sony PSP and XM radio to go players are what is worrying to me. The PSP will be built in with Sony Connect which will do videos (and full access to the Sony catalogue). The PSP is also getting a tv tuner.
If we're just thinking computers now, we're naive. It's now officially media boxes and making them to-go. It's crucial the mac mini becomes a media box now considering were everyone is going with this stuff.
The reports for the Sony PSP and XM radio to go players are what is worrying to me. The PSP will be built in with Sony Connect which will do videos (and full access to the Sony catalogue). The PSP is also getting a tv tuner.
If we're just thinking computers now, we're naive. It's now officially media boxes and making them to-go. It's crucial the mac mini becomes a media box now considering were everyone is going with this stuff.
80 months ago
I love Apple and their products, but lets face it, this is a big threat to Apple. Hopefully they can raise the bar soon, and offer higher quality versions of downloadable videos, and TV shows, as well as a more advanced media device for the home..
The fact that Apple makes the whole widget (Systems, portable systems, displays, software, and network), gives them an advantage if they use it correctly. I truly hope they don't squander the money and advancements they have made! Only time will tell what we can expect, I hope Apple does well :)
The fact that Apple makes the whole widget (Systems, portable systems, displays, software, and network), gives them an advantage if they use it correctly. I truly hope they don't squander the money and advancements they have made! Only time will tell what we can expect, I hope Apple does well :)
80 months ago
i am resisting the urge to make a joke
whats up with Microsoft's funky names (and spell checker automatically capitalizing Microsoft?)
vista now urge?
"hasta la vista to your senses.... forget trying to hold back those urges... now try and keep calm for ERUPTION... the new media player that will have you screaming for more."
whats up with Microsoft's funky names (and spell checker automatically capitalizing Microsoft?)
vista now urge?
"hasta la vista to your senses.... forget trying to hold back those urges... now try and keep calm for ERUPTION... the new media player that will have you screaming for more."
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