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Microsoft's been strangely quiet during the recent smart TV explosion
even though it has arguably the most mature set of products in Windows
Media Center and Mediaroom, and now we know why: Reuters says MS has
been meeting with media companies in an effort to create an entirely
new TV service possibly delivered through the Xbox 360. Apparently
there are multiple options on the table, ranging from a full-on
"virtual cable operator" with monthly fees to using the 360 as an
extension of existing cableco online TV initiatives to simply
delivering certain channels like ESPN and HBO a la carte, and Reuters'
sources say the plan might take another 12 months to develop. That
sounds like a bit too long, if you ask us: Apple and Google are waging
a major living room assault, and we can't imagine Microsoft is willing
to miss another technology cycle -- especially not one where it holds
the significant advantage of the 360's installed base and proven
history as an IPTV device on multiple operators worldwide, including
Uverse. We'll see what happens -- it sounds like the battle might
finally be joined.
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