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MediaCart, Microsoft and Wakefern Team Up to Deliver Next-Generation Digital Grocery Shopping and Ad Experience

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:17:00 GMT

MediaCart system to use Microsoft’s Atlas ad-serving technology to deliver targeted advertising to shoppers directly at the point of purchase.

MediaCart Holdings, Microsoft Corp. and Wakefern Food Corporation announced, at the National Retail Federation’s 97th Annual Convention & Expo, that Wakefern plans to pilot MediaCart’s next-generation computerized shopping carts for potential rollout to all ShopRite stores. The early pilot, conducted with Wakefern in its ShopRite stores, provided insights from both the consumer and retailer perspective that were adopted in the next-generation product.

The nine-month pilot with Wakefern began in the spring of 2007. Microsoft’s Atlas Division will provide video ad serving on the MediaCart grocery cart screen, providing advertisers with the opportunity to reach shoppers at the point of purchase, and providing ShopRite customers with a more personalized shopping experience.

“In working with companies like MediaCart, we’re continuing to push the envelope in the digital advertising realm to enable new and innovative ways for advertisers and agencies to create brand loyalty and engage with their target audiences in a highly relevant, measurable and targeted way,” said Scott Ferris, general manager of the Advertiser and Publisher Solutions Group at Microsoft.

“Digital advertising opportunities are expanding rapidly into new areas, as many of consumers’ daily activities, such as shopping, become increasingly ‘connected,’ and Microsoft is committed to working with advertisers and agencies to take advantage of these opportunities as they unfold.”

By using Microsoft technologies, the MediaCart solution will enable anonymous ad targeting through data obtained through ShopRite’s customer loyalty card program.

A shopper would scan his or her card at the MediaCart, and receive ads and promotional offers based on past purchases and/or saved shopping lists that could be uploaded from a home PC. No personally identifiable information will be shared with Microsoft, MediaCart or any advertiser as part of the ad serving process.

The technology will also provide advertisers with reporting and analytics capabilities to assess performance of the ads in the stores.

In addition to the advertising shoppers will receive, they will also be able to save time and money with MediaCart-equipped shopping carts by obtaining electronic coupons, locating products in the store, performing comparative price checks, viewing store specials in aisle as they shop, viewing recipes and nutritional information, shopping using an electronic shopping list that is presented in aisle order, totaling the cost of the items in their baskets before checkout, and expediting the checkout using the cart-level checkout feature.

This enhanced shopping experience helps differentiate ShopRite in the marketplace and drives brand and customer loyalty.

“Through the powerful combination of Microsoft and MediaCart, we are providing our customers with a cutting-edge shopping experience, unmatched in the industry,” said Joseph Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern.

“This is an exciting step in our ongoing commitment to meet and exceed the needs of our shoppers and stores.”

“With its strong technology leadership and shopper loyalty programs, ShopRite stores are ideal for the MediaCart system, which can further leverage the valuable shopper data to improve shopper communications,” said David Brice, chairman and CEO of MediaCart.

“We look forward to fulfilling agreements that utilize Wakefern’s extensive retail experience and Microsoft’s best-in-class advertising technology to take our shopping cart systems to a new level in their stores.”

In addition to Microsoft’s Atlas technologies, the MediaCart solution is also built on Microsoft Windows CE and Microsoft SQL Server. Trials of the MediaCart solution are expected to begin in ShopRite stores in the second half of 2008.

About Wakefern Food Corp.

From a small, struggling cooperative with eight members — all owners of their own grocery stores — Wakefern Food Corporation has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and one of the largest employers in New Jersey. The cooperative is comprised of 44 members who individually own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite banner. Today, Wakefern, the merchandising and distribution arm of the company, and the 200 ShopRite stores located throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware, employ more than 47,000 people.

A long time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite was named America’s Second Harvest Grocery Distributor of the Year (1999) for its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, a year-round initiative dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities served by ShopRite stores. Since its inception, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated more than $15 million to more than 1,400 worthy charities.

About MediaCart

Media Cart Holdings, Inc., is leader in delivering computerized retail and grocery shopping cart systems to both assist shoppers and deliver point-of-purchase video communications for retailers and consumer product goods manufacturers.

The MediaCart system uses the precise location of the shopping cart in the store as well as relevant shopping history and demographic data to drive pertinent communications at the point-of-purchase. For retailers, MediaCart integrates with their point-of-sale systems to offer a powerful competitive advantage for increasing customer loyalty and improving sales while capturing a new revenue stream from advertisements and promotions to individual shoppers. The Company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Further information on MediaCart and its revolutionary shopping systems can be found at http://www.mediacart.com.

ShopLocal Delivers Seamless Shopping Experience, Supports Record Consumer Traffic During 2007 Holiday Season With Microsoft Software

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:06:00 GMT

Consumers preparing for holidays drive 84 percent increase in ShopLocal traffic; nonstop availability throughout holiday season is supported by Microsoft technologies.

Microsoft Corp. announced that ShopLocal, a leader in multichannel shopping and marketing services, successfully managed an unprecedented growth in online consumer traffic during the 2007 holiday shopping season, supported by its use of multiple Microsoft technologies, delivering 100 percent uptime and a seamless shopping experience for the record number of visitors to its ShopLocal-powered Web sites.

ShopLocal kicked off the season by handling a record 267 million page views during the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day, amounting to an 84 percent jump in activity over 2006.

With Microsoft server infrastructure, including Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005, scaling to process massive increases in user activity, ShopLocal saw more consumers than ever researching online before buying in a store.

“We spend all year planning to support our unique peak of online traffic,” said Ed McLaughlin, senior director of technology at ShopLocal.

“Microsoft provides ShopLocal with a cost-effective, scalable technology architecture that helped enable our site to accommodate a holiday increase of more than 600 percent over nonholiday traffic levels. Microsoft technologies enabled us to achieve 100 percent uptime for our retail clients and deliver the most up-to-date sales and product information to busy holiday shoppers.”

Integrating Online and Store for Multichannel Shoppers

ShopLocal’s comparison shopping site, ShopLocal.com, serves as a timely, localized resource for consumers to readily find online and in-store offers from such leading retailers as Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, CVS and Sears.
In addition to using Microsoft technology to help securely integrate retailers’ online and local ads, ShopLocal uses Microsoft software for its front-end applications that provide several interactive ways for consumers to become savvier shoppers through product reviews, category searches, hosted forums, maps, dynamic shopping lists and more.

“Today’s digital consumers want to be more knowledgeable about products, brands, features, pricing and even sourcing before they buy,” said Geoff Thomas, general manager for the U.S. Retail and Hospitality Group at Microsoft.

“We are pleased with ShopLocal’s success using Microsoft software and solutions to help empower shoppers to be more in control of their interactions and experiences with retailers. Microsoft is committed to helping retailers and companies like ShopLocal offer consumers as seamless an experience as possible, whatever channel they choose to shop and make purchases.”

The Microsoft Technologies That Enable ShopLocal’s Success

To prepare for the 2007 holiday shopping season, ShopLocal grew its IT environment four times its typical size, adding servers running Windows Server 2003, an integrated, highly secure and easy-to-manage server infrastructure that powers ShopLocal’s applications, networks and Web services.

Additional Microsoft technologies behind ShopLocal’s successful Web sites include SQL Server 2005, an integrated data management and analysis platform to help ShopLocal gain greater insight into critical information and run its business applications.

For the consumer-facing components, ShopLocal uses Visual Studio and .NET Framework for its range of tools that enable its developers to build dynamic and compelling features and experiences into the ShopLocal.com site.

“We have a very homogeneous Microsoft environment at ShopLocal that allows us to scale each tier of the architecture independently,” said McLaughlin.

“Because Microsoft technology is tightly coupled across the architecture tiers, we don’t have to worry about integration issues. Instead we can focus on delivering new features and advanced functions to meet shoppers’ escalating demands for knowledge and service and our retail customers’ strong desire to keep consumers happy.”

About ShopLocal

ShopLocal, the leader in multi-channel shopping services, offers a complete suite of solutions connecting advertisers and consumers online and in-store. The company’s consumer Web site, ShopLocal.com, provides users with choice and control in their shopping experience by offering the most comprehensive selection of timely online and in-store offers on one easy-to-use site.

With ShopLocal.com, consumers can find millions of products and up-to-date weekly sales, deals, and coupons for consumer electronics, apparel, groceries and more. ShopLocal’s industry leading SmartCircular and SmartCatalog solutions are used by more than one hundred of the nation’s top retailers, including Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, CVS and Sears. ShopLocal powers multi-channel shopping for hundreds of newspaper Web sites and other leading local and shopping sites, such as Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Arizona Republic, Google and SuperPages.com. ShopLocal is owned by Gannett Co., Inc., Tribune Company, and The McClatchy Company. For more information, visit www.aboutshoplocal.com.

About Microsoft in Retail

Microsoft’s U.S. Retail Industry Group provides software that helps empower retail’s biggest assets — its people — to make better decisions at every stage of the value chain. Microsoft software helps enable retail employees to strengthen customer relationships, build high-value business connections and improve operations by addressing key areas such as store systems, real-time analytics and supply chain management.

Through a combination of Microsoft- and partner-provided solutions, retail customers enable their employees to deliver an outstanding customer experience across various channels by turning data into insight, transforming ideas into action and turning change into opportunity. More information about Microsoft’s work in the Retail industry can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail.

Yahoo Offers Tools to Build Mobile Widgets

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:05:00 GMT

Updates to Yahoo Go and the mobile browser invite third-party developers to write mobile widgets for Yahoo services.

Yahoo plans to introduce today new versions of its two primary mobile services and expects to launch documentation that will let any developer or publisher write mobile widgets for the Yahoo services.

Yahoo offers two ways for mobile users to access its services from their phones: through a browser or through Yahoo Go, an application that users download to their phones. Both are getting facelifts.

The new Yahoo mobile home page, which hasn't changed much in the past few years, will be customizable, said Adam Taggart, a director of product marketing at Yahoo. Users will be able to choose "content modules" that will appear on their home page, displaying content such as the latest bid on an eBay item the user is tracking. Clicking on the module opens a widget that feeds that information to the page. Users will also be able to place frequently used links on their home pages.

Yahoo Go, the downloadable application, is also getting an overhauled look and feel, Taggart said. In addition, starting on Monday the Yahoo Go client will begin showing display advertisements to users.

In addition to the new look of the mobile Web page and client, Yahoo plans to release on Monday documentation that will let third-party developers build mobile widgets. Over the next couple of weeks, Yahoo expects to release a more robust software development kit, tools and support, Taggart said.

Developers will build the widgets using Yahoo's own XHTML-based programming language, he said.

End-users will be able to choose widgets from a portal much like Yahoo's existing PC-based widgets Web page. They'll be free to use, but developers will be able to include display ads and sponsored search in their widgets in order to earn revenue. Yahoo even plans to support other competitive advertising networks if the developer or publisher has an existing relationship they'd like to maintain, he said. "We'll build a plug-in so you can bring that in," Taggart said.

The new widget development offering is Yahoo's attempt to solve the fragmentation issues that plague the mobile industry. Building mobile applications is hard, but only the first hurdle, Taggart said. "Once the experience is built, you have the much larger and painful problem of scaling them across the different device types out there," he noted. Application developers must re-write or tweak their applications for the various operating systems and even for different handsets running the same OS.

Yahoo Go 2.0, the previous client, runs on more than 250 phones but the new Yahoo Go 3.0 client will initially only be available on 30 handsets in the U.S. The browser-based service runs on many more phones because it can be accessed from a browser. Users of either Yahoo service will be able to access the new widgets, offering a large market to developers, he said.

Widgets, however, typically don't offer the same types of capabilities as full-fledged applications. In the future, Yahoo hopes to allow developers who create widgets for the Yahoo Go client to access native phone resources such as the address book and location information from a phone's GPS (Global Positioning System) radio, Taggart said.

Samsung and HP Unveil Extender for Windows Media Center Extender Devices, Bridging the Gap Between PC and TV

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:03:00 GMT

Extender products available from Cisco’s Linksys division, D-Link and Niveus Media.

During Sunday’s keynote address at the 2008 International CES, Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft Corp., announced that premier consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will include Extender for Windows Media Center technology in its Home Digital Media Adapter (DMA) arriving this year for compatible Samsung HDTVs. In addition, HP is launching a new Extender device for Windows Media Center, the HP MediaSmart Receiver x280N, designed to work with any high-definition television.

Extenders for Windows Media Center allow viewers to enjoy digital entertainment, including live and recorded HDTV, Internet TV, music, movies and photos, from their PC running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate on any TV in the house through wired or wireless home networks.

The Samsung Home DMA features playback of files including Windows Media Video, Windows Media Audio, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, MP3, AC3 and JPEG. The compact device can be easily mounted to the rear of select Samsung flat-panel HDTVs for a clutter-free home theater setup. Users can view content through the DMA using either the TV remote or an included remote control. The Extender connects to a PC using an Ethernet cable or 802.11a, b, g or n wireless module (sold separately).

Microsoft also announced Extender product availability and ship dates from initial partners D-Link Corp.; Linksys, a division of Cisco; and Niveus Media Inc. These devices allow people to extend their entertainment experience from their Windows Vista-based PC with Windows Media Center to any TV in the house.

“People want to bring digital entertainment from the PC to a big-screen HDTV, and with the addition of popular consumer companies such as Samsung to the growing list of Extender partners, Windows Media Center makes that possible for an even wider audience,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft.

“Such growing industry support validates Microsoft’s approach of using Extender for Windows Media Center technology to deliver the ultimate connected entertainment experience.”

New Extenders Now Available

Linksys announced the worldwide release of two new stand-alone Extenders. Available today, the Media Center Extender with DVD Player DMA2200 from Linksys is an elegant solution that combines an upscaling DVD player with a dual-band Wireless-N Extender for Windows Media Center at an estimated retail price of $349.99 (U.S.). For consumers seeking a smaller form factor, Linksys also offers the Media Center Extender DMA2100, which delivers all the appealing features of Extender for Windows Media Center in a device ideal for areas such as bedrooms and smaller entertainment cabinets. The Media Center Extender DMA2100 has an estimated retail price of $299.99 (U.S.).

Designed for high-end home entertainment enthusiasts and available for purchase today through select custom audiovisual installers, the Niveus Media Extender - EDGE offers a high-fidelity experience, uncompromised 1080p video, digital audio and the same amazing 3-D user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center. In addition, the Niveus Media Extender - EDGE is built with the Niveus Glacier Passive Cooling System for near-silent operation in a sleek and stylish form factor.

D-Link announced the January 2008 availability of its DSM-750 MediaLounge HD Media Center Extender at an estimated retail price of $329.99 (U.S.). Housed in a sleek, 17-inch, black aluminum chassis, this device connects to a home network using Ethernet or dual-band 802.11n networking, which makes it easy to enjoy the Windows Media Center experience with friends and family on any TV in the house. The DSM-750 lets customers enjoy high-definition videos with resolutions of up to 1080i and includes a USB 2.0 port for instant access to music, photos and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives.

HP Announces MediaSmart Receiver

HP announced the upcoming availability of its MediaSmart Receiver x280N in the first half of 2008. The HP MediaSmart Receiver turns any TV into a next-generation connected TV, allowing consumers to enjoy photos, music, movies and videos — wired or wirelessly — from multiple PCs around the home on the “big screen” in the heart of the home. This compact digital media receiver has a stylish piano-black, high-gloss finish with HP’s exclusive “Zen” imprint pattern as well as embedded antennae, and offers advanced network connectivity options, including 802.11a, b, g and n and compatibility with other Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)- and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible devices such as the HP MediaSmart Server.

HP MediaSmart TVs, available today in 42” and 47” sizes, include full HD 1080p resolution, support three HDMI inputs and deliver all the compelling features of Media Center Extender directly incorporated into a TV. HP MediaSmart TVs are available in Best Buy stores nationwide, a wide range of audiovisual specialty stores throughout the country and at hpshopping.com. Extender for Windows Media Center functionality is slated to be available in the first half of 2008 on both the HP MediaSmart TV and the HP MediaSmart Receiver. HP MediaSmart technology will automatically update all 2007 MediaSmart TVs (SL4778 and SL4278) over the Internet.

About Windows Media Center

Windows Media Center turns the home PC into the ultimate connected entertainment hub and is available in every copy of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

Watching a recorded TV show in the living room, pausing it and then quickly resuming it from the bedroom or kitchen is now even easier with new, quiet Extender for Windows Media Center devices and TVs. Extenders for Windows Media Center support streaming live high-definition TV, including premium cable channels in the United States, along with high-definition video formats, Internet content, photos, movies and music.

More information about new Extenders for Windows Media Center is available at http://www.windowsmediacenter.com.

MSN Direct Expands Navigation Offering With Leading Partners

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:55:00 GMT

New MSN Direct service provides customers with relevant, timely, location-specific information while on the go.

At the 2008 International CES, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of the newest version of the MSN Direct service, an update of its location-based service for personal navigation devices. MSN Direct will now provide increased functionality that enables customers to integrate their device with Live Search Maps, as well as receive enhanced location-specific information.

Microsoft also announced it is expanding its footprint in the navigation market by working for the first time with a host of manufacturers including Alpine Electronics Inc., dmedia System Co. Ltd., Goodyear, Pioneer Electronics Inc. and StreetDeck. Garmin Ltd., MSN Direct’s original navigation partner, also announced that it will expand its MSN Direct-enabled product line in 2008. In addition, Avis Rent a Car System LLC announced that MSN Direct-enabled devices from Garmin will be available to its national fleet of rental cars this spring.

“In this past year we have seen a tremendous response to the MSN Direct service from many top leaders in the navigation industry — ranging from personal navigation device-makers and in-car system manufacturers to the top brands in the rental car field,” said Eric Lang, general manager of the MSN Direct initiative at Microsoft.

“This strong interest is indicative of the always-on, timely information that customers are craving while they are on the go. We know the types of information that consumers want, and we are pleased to provide a way for our partners to continue to innovate their existing product lines and bring added value through MSN Direct.”

MSN Direct Equips Consumers With Location-Specific Information on the Go

With this latest version of MSN Direct, a new Send to GPS functionality enables customers to select and save destinations using Live Search Maps and send to personal navigation devices enabled with the latest version of the service. Customers can receive information on stock prices, local events, news headlines and weather. The service also provides enhanced movie details, gas prices and expanded traffic information for the U.S. and Canada. Specifically, MSN Direct has added traffic information for the Canadian cities of Toronto, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Montreal; expanded coverage in Fort Pierce, Fla.; Olympia, Wash.; and Fort Collins, Colo.; and will soon enhance coverage in Kansas City, Mo.; and Boston and Cape Cod, Mass.*

Microsoft Showcases New Products From Alpine, Garmin and StreetDeck

Alpine Electronics’ new, portable PND-K3msn provides fast, accurate and easy-to-use navigation guidance for the U.S. and Canada and will be available in spring 2008 for an estimated retail price of $650 (U.S).** As a device enabled with the latest version of MSN Direct, it is equipped with instant up-to-date information, including current stock prices, information on local events, news headlines, and enhanced movie details and showtimes, in addition to traffic information, gas prices and weather.

The Garmin® nüvi® 780 and Garmin nüvi 880 with MSN Direct will be released in spring 2008, and will be available for $799.99 (U.S.)** and $999.99**. Both devices include the MSN Direct receiver out of the box. Also new to Garmin’s lineup, the Garmin nüvi 5000 is MSN Direct-enabled and the receiver is sold separately. The Garmin nüvi 5000 will be available for $799.99 (U.S.)** in the spring. With the new Send to GPS functionality, customers can select and save destinations using Live Search Maps and then access the information on their MSN Direct-enabled personal navigation devices. These new devices intelligently route drivers based on the latest traffic conditions while conveniently displaying information on the latest news, local events, weather, gas prices, movies and more.

“The enhanced capabilities of the MSN Direct network combined with our navigation devices give power to people on the go,” said Cliff Pemble, president and chief operating officer of Garmin.

“Whether users are dodging traffic jams or checking out the stock market, MSN Direct provides valuable, timely information.”

StreetDeck announced plans to integrate a touch-screen interface with MSN Direct in a new Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) as an aftermarket, MSN Direct-enabled navigation unit. Designed to reduce driver distraction and leverage the power and convenience of UMPC, the touch-screen interface allows for simple navigation and access to information through MSN Direct.

Navigation Manufacturers Announce Plans for MSN Direct

• Avis announced that it will be the first car rental company to offer MSN Direct-enabled navigation devices. Beginning in March, Avis customers can rent Where2™, a portable GPS navigation device based on Garmin’s nüvi 780. The device receives relevant and timely traffic and weather information, news headlines, stock prices, Amber Alerts and movie listings via MSN Direct, ideal for helping make business travel more productive and leisure travel more convenient.

• dmedia announced the MSN Direct-enabled G4 product line, which will introduce a new level of service to an expanding line of portable navigation devices. These new models are expected to be available in spring 2008, combining all the MSN Direct content with the latest technology from dmedia.

• Pioneer announced it plans to release the AVIC-F500BT, a hybrid navigation technology that brings the power of an in-dash device with the convenience of a portable system, with MSN Direct. Designed to integrate with virtually any factory audio system, the AVIC-F500BT will provide the opportunity for consumers to add superior navigation features and extended entertainment capabilities without modification of their existing car stereo.

• Goodyear announced plans to include the MSN Direct service as built in with two of its new personal navigation devices and enabled through a charger with two additional models.

About MSN Direct

MSN Direct, part of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, is a specialized wireless service that delivers customized and personalized information to people. Those interested in learning more about MSN Direct can visit http://www.msndirect.com.

Microsoft Unveils New Titles and Powerful Momentum for Games for Windows

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:50:00 GMT

New titles added to the Games for Windows portfolio; Games for Windows initiative and MSN Games going strong.

Following one of the hottest years in video game history, Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2008 International CES the addition of new titles to the Games for Windows portfolio and strong first-year results for the Games for Windows initiative. Games for Windows drove the PC gaming category in 2007 with some of the most popular Windows-based games available, and will continue the momentum for Windows-based gaming in 2008.

“Games for Windows truly thrived in 2007. We went from two titles in 2006 to a continually growing portfolio of over 60 titles here at CES 2008,” said Kevin Unangst, senior global director of Games for Windows in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.

“We delivered on our promise one year ago to reinvigorate the PC gaming space and bring the best portfolio of games to Windows. And this is just the beginning. With our partners, we will continue to drive the resurgence of Windows-based gaming.”

CES attendees will get to experience some of the great games of 2008, with six upcoming Games for Windows titles on the show floor: “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” (Funcom, Eidos Interactive), “Conflict: Denied Ops” (Eidos Interactive), “Frontlines: Fuel of War” (THQ), “Space Siege” (SEGA), “Turning Point: Fall of Liberty” (Codemasters) and “Jigsaw Too Photo Edition” (Carbonated Games), a game for Windows Live Messenger.

Delivering Great Games

Microsoft announced the addition of nine new Games for Windows-branded titles joining the portfolio from renowned publishers Atari Inc., Capcom, Eidos Interactive, LucasArts, Microsoft Game Studios, SEGA and Stardock., bringing the growing Games for Windows portfolio to more than 60 titles. “Alone in the Dark” (Atari) and “Sins of a Solar Empire” (Stardock) join other branded games from top publishers around the world committed to delivering quality-tested Games for Windows titles, including 2K Games, Activision Inc., EA Partners, Midway Home Entertainment Inc. and Ubisoft. New Games for Windows-branded titles announced at CES include the following:

•“Alone in the Dark” (Atari)
•“Bionic Commando” (Capcom)
•“Conflict: Denied Ops” (Eidos Interactive)
•“Empire: Total War” (SEGA)
•“LEGO Indiana Jones” (LucasArts)
•“Microsoft Train Simulator 2” (Microsoft Game Studios)
•“Sins of a Solar Empire” (Stardock)
•“Space Siege” (SEGA)
•“Tomb Raider: Underworld” (Eidos Interactive)

Other highly anticipated Games for Windows-branded titles expected to release in 2008 include “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” (Funcom, Eidos Interactive), “Borderlands” (2K Games), “The Club” (SEGA), “Fallout® 3” (Bethesda Softworks®) and “Frontlines: Fuel of War” (THQ).

Driving the PC Gaming Industry Forward

In a year when gaming was one of the most popular choices of entertainment, the Games for Windows initiative drove the PC gaming category forward. Games for Windows has brought Windows-based gaming to the forefront of retail stores, raising consumer awareness of Games for Windows titles and positioning the category for successful sales. In November 2007 alone, the Games for Windows portfolio accounted for 20 percent of all PC game sales at retail stores in the United States, according to the NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service.

“Games for Windows-branded titles were among the most popular Windows-based games purchased as gifts this holiday,” said Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising for GameStop Corp.

“Microsoft’s efforts to revive Windows-based gaming have helped grow the category.”

Consumers can find Games for Windows titles featured in retail stores including GameStop, Circuit City and Wal-Mart in the United States, and PC World, Game, Media Markt and Saturn in Europe.

Casual Games on Windows: Windows Live Messenger Games and MSN Games

According to the Casual Games Association, the casual games industry generated $2.25 billion in revenue in 2007 worldwide, with a projected increase of 20 percent in 2008. Microsoft is a leader in the casual games space through gaming platforms including MSN Games and Windows Live Messenger Games. Today, MSN Games is enjoyed by 14 million people each month and offers them more than 600 games to play including “The Office,” “Luxor 3” and “Diner Dash: Hometown Hero.” Windows Live Messenger Games reaches 16 million people per month around the world and has 26 games to choose from, including the new exclusive title “Jigsaw Too Photo Edition.” “Jigsaw Too Photo Edition” is available now and lets players personalize the game by inserting their own photos. Players can also cooperate with each other via Windows Live Messenger to solve their personalized jigsaw puzzles.

About Games for Windows

Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world for games, delivering the widest range of titles, the most gaming hardware choices and advanced gaming technology for players of all types. With Windows as the cornerstone, the Games for Windows platform offers publishers and gamers the most enjoyable and innovative gaming experiences available on a PC. More information can be found online at http://www.gamesforwindows.com.

Windows Home Server Breaks Ground on New Features, Expands Into More Homes Worldwide

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:44:00 GMT

New Power Pack 1 adds support for Windows Vista x64, enhances remote access capabilities, extends data protection and supports the Chinese and Japanese languages.

Attendees of this week’s 2008 International CES will be introduced to Windows Home Server Power Pack 1. The new software delivers a range of enhancements for customers who have embraced Windows Home Server since its launch last November, helping them protect, organize and share their digital photos, music, videos and documents.

Microsoft Corp. is committed to continually enhancing the capabilities and benefits of Windows Home Server for partners and consumers. With Power Pack 1, the Windows Home Server Connector software for home computers is compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista.

This update release also provides a new way to protect data, in case of a disaster such as a fire or theft, by enabling the backup of a home server to external storage. In addition, Power Pack 1 improves its remote access features by providing a simple way to upload multiple files, presenting photo thumbnail views and enabling more control of remote user access.

Todd Headrick, marketing director for Windows Home Server, talks to the Channel 10 team about the new features in Power Pack 1.

With Power Pack 1, power consumption of Windows Home Server is more efficient, complementing the power management capabilities in Windows Home Server-based hardware products such as the Fujitsu Siemens Computers SCALEO Home Server and Tranquil Home Servers.

Power Pack 1 also adds support for the Chinese and Japanese languages, and will be available to customers automatically in spring 2008 through Windows Update. More information about the update is available on the Windows Home Server blog at http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver.

Unveiled by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at CES 2007 and launched in November, Windows Home Server represents a new product category embraced by both customers and industry partners. Forrester Research Inc. forecasts that home server adoption will reach 4.56 million households in the next five years.

“Windows Home Server will spearhead the growth of an important new product category,” said J.P. Gownder,principal analyst at Forrester Research, in his December 2007 teleconference, “Forrester’s Windows Home Server Outlook and Forecast.”

“The proliferation of consumer digital assets creates a need for the functionality of a home server. And multi-PC households are growing rapidly, along with home networks.”

Delighted Customers

Customer demand for Windows Home Server has been strong; the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server, sold out on leading retailer Web sites after it launched. Customers in more than 30 countries are now using Windows Home Server to help secure and enjoy their digital content and experiences. For example, in the United States, Brian Driscall used Windows Home Server to quickly restore all of his 9-year-old son’s progress on the “LEGO Star Wars” computer game, after his 4-year-old son had deleted the information.

“I saved the day for my son,” Driscall said. “I love being able to stream music, videos and pictures from my home server, too. We had some friends over recently, and we were able to show them pictures from our Thanksgiving vacation on our TV.”

Brian Irvin is a technical sergeant in the New York Air National Guard, stationed in Antarctica. He posts videos of himself to the server back home, so he can stay connected with his wife and children.*

“The kids really love it. My 5-year-old daughter even talks to the computer while the videos are playing,” Irvin said. “I’m able to read my kids a bedtime story, even though I’m on the other side of the planet.”

Partners Build On the Windows Home Server Platform

More than 15 hardware makers around the world have announced Windows Home Server-based products. Third-party software developers have released or announced approximately 50 Add-in programs to extend Windows Home Server capabilities, including personal blogging, family Web sites, media sharing, home security features, home automation, and protection against viruses and malware.

In its pressroom at CES, Microsoft will demonstrate Windows Home Server working with partner solutions such as the Sonos Digital Music System and CEIVA digital photo frames. In France, the OMSERVER from OMWAVE is a new Windows Home Server-based hardware product with home automation Add-in software. Information about other Windows Home Server-based hardware products and third-party Add-ins is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/homeserver.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Use of Windows Home Server’s remote access features may require additional services from your broadband provider, such as access to certain “ports” that some providers may block for customers on some service plans. Contact your broadband provider if you have questions about their services or service terms.

For more information about Windows Home Server:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/homeserver (virtual

Broadcom and Microsoft Collaborate on Next-Generation IPTV System-on-a-Chip

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:41:00 GMT

New relationship expands Mediaroom ecosystem and brings new capabilities for advanced connected TV services.

Microsoft Corp. and Broadcom Corporation today announced a collaboration in Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) products. The collaboration includes Microsoft and Broadcom working together to enable the popular Microsoft Mediaroom™ IPTV client software to operate on next-generation set-top boxes (STBs) utilizing the Broadcom® BCM7405 system on a chip (SOC).This technology will permit service providers and original equipment manufacturers to support a range of features such as whole-home digital video recording (DVR), high-performance user interfaces, and photo and music sharing.

The new alliance with Broadcom exemplifies the continued commitment by Microsoft and its ecosystem partners to deliver market leadership and innovation to Microsoft Mediaroom customers and to make new connected TV services a reality for service providers worldwide.

Working together, Microsoft and Broadcom are leveraging the capabilities of the BCM7405 SOC to further enhance the performance of Microsoft’s Mediaroom platform in support of next-generation service provider requirements.

“We’re providing our Microsoft Mediaroom customers with innovative connected TV services that help differentiate them in the marketplace,” said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV.

“Broadcom’s high-performing chipsets provide our customers with greater choice while allowing us to deliver new, richer TV applications.”

In support of these new connected TV services, Broadcom and Microsoft are also working to help ensure the highest level of security functionality on this new platform. This is especially important in deployments where multiple conditional access technologies must be supported, such as in Europe.

“BT is very happy to see Broadcom join the Microsoft Mediaroom ecosystem of suppliers,” said Richard Griffiths, director of Technology Strategy and Development at BT Vision, a customer of Microsoft.

“The [BCM]7405 SOC will enable us to offer our customers even more powerful applications and services on their TV through the BT Vision V-box.”

“We are very pleased to be working with Microsoft on this important collaboration,” said Richard Nelson, vice president of marketing for Broadcom’s Broadband Communications Group.

“Microsoft is driving the movement toward exciting and connected TV experiences, and we see increased synergy between the breadth of Broadcom product offerings and what Microsoft wants to enable within the whole-home DVR environment and beyond.”

BCM74xx series SOCs from Broadcom can also be embedded into other consumer devices to allow users to choose from a variety of IPTV-ready receivers such as HD DVD players and television sets. This creates more opportunities to experience connected TV through other devices and services.

“This relationship demonstrates how Microsoft Mediaroom ecosystem partners continue to drive innovation across the television industry,” said Michelle Abraham, principal analyst at In-Stat.

“The combination of the Microsoft and Broadcom SOC will be especially attractive to service providers who want to stay ahead of the competition in delivering highly innovative connected TV services.”

About Broadcom’s BCM7405 System-on-a-Chip Solution

Broadcom’s highly integrated low-power 65 nanometer solution leverages Broadcom’s proven track record and market leadership in set-top box technologies to deliver unprecedented levels of performance, system security and cost savings. It supports the latest in interactive features and a wide range of video compression standards (such as VC-1 and H.264), and includes support for new video compression standards such as China’s AVS. It offers support for multiple conditional access and digital rights management solutions, including Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 and Mediaroom security requirements. The BCM7405 can decode and display simultaneous high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video with picture-in-picture and mosaic support. Multiple planes of HD graphics, powerful content security, and support for peripherals including USB 2.0, SATA II, Ethernet and HDMI 1.3 are provided. A 64-bit 400 MHz multimode DDR2 controller is also provided, as is support for NOR and NAND flash.

Microsoft Mediaroom Brings Connected TV to Life

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:35:00 GMT

Microsoft’s award-winning Mediaroom IPTV platform introduces exciting new features that connect consumers with their favorite shows and people from any TV in the home.

Today at 2008 International CES, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of DVR Anywhere on the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multimedia platform, giving digital video recording (DVR) consumers the flexibility to watch their recorded TV programs on any TV in their home, further enhancing the platform’s powerful connected TV capabilities. In addition, Microsoft also announced it is working with leading programmers, including Showtime Networks Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s TNT and CNN networks, to showcase new connected TV applications and scenarios that are enabled by the extensible Microsoft Mediaroom platform.

With DVR Anywhere, viewers could begin watching a movie in the living room, resume viewing it on the kitchen TV during dinner, and finish watching the same movie from the comfort of their bedroom. In addition, members of a household will never have to fight over the remote control again, due to the capability to watch the same or different recorded programs from multiple TVs in the home simultaneously while recording other shows to be viewed at their convenience.

Microsoft Mediaroom’s DVR Anywhere is software-based, so no TV tuners are needed. It also requires that only one set-top box in the home have a hard drive, thus lowering the expense for service providers and consumers. The DVR Anywhere feature, which will support standard and high-definition TV, is the first whole-home DVR offering currently available to IPTV service providers.

Microsoft is also partnering with Showtime Networks and Turner Broadcasting to demonstrate applications Microsoft jointly built with ES3 that showcase the potential of Microsoft Mediaroom to bring consumers new, personalized connected TV experiences. These next-generation scenarios, not yet available to consumers, will be on display in the Microsoft booth at the 2008 International CES show, and include the following:

• NASCAR on TNT. The real-time excitement and features of NASCAR.com will be brought to the TV viewer. While watching NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races broadcast by TNT, fans can enhance their viewing experience by choosing between several different live in-car driver cameras and driver audio, while simultaneously watching the main race.

• Showtime Interactive Boxing. This application brings the ringside experience to the viewer’s living room. Using some of the many features available, viewers can choose from between several live audio feeds while watching the boxing match.

• CNN election coverage. This demonstration highlights the potential advantages of Microsoft Mediaroom in delivering real-time information such as news and commentary on current events. For instance, viewers may be able to access the richness of CNN.com’s 2008 election coverage while watching CNN’s television broadcast, and possibly even participate in interactive straw votes for candidates.

In addition, Microsoft will show an application called My Pad, designed and built by emuse technologies, that connects viewers to their social networks through the TV via Windows Live services and also enables them to share personal pages that exist online and on the TV. Finally, Microsoft and ChoiceStream Inc. will demonstrate a personalized TV and video-on-demand recommendations application tailored to each viewer’s unique tastes and preferences.

“With DVR Anywhere and the promise of new applications that can further extend Microsoft Mediaroom’s potential in the future, Microsoft is delivering on its promise to make the television experience truly social, personal and connected,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft.

“Consumer demand for connected TV is here, and Microsoft Mediaroom continues to offer new ways for viewers to experience TV as part of their connected, digital lifestyle while also enabling the very best digital TV service available anywhere.”

“Consumers are coming to expect connected TV services from their TV provider,” said Pete Dailey, senior research analyst with Stratecast Research.

“With Microsoft Mediaroom, consumers are promised new ways to extend their TV experience beyond the living room, making the TV a major hub of the connected entertainment lifestyle. This innovation enables carriers to differentiate video offerings based on very compelling connected functionality rather than simply competing on price.”

More than 20 of the world’s leading service providers across four continents have selected the Microsoft Mediaroom platform for their digital TV offerings. The Microsoft Mediaroom platform will be on display at the International CES 2008 show at booth No. 7144 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About Microsoft Mediaroom

The award-winning Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multimedia software platform is driving the future of television by enabling broadband service providers to deliver new connected TV and entertainment experiences to consumers worldwide. Microsoft Mediaroom provides new ways for consumers to experience TV as part of their connected, digital lifestyle while also creating new business opportunities for broadband service providers, hardware manufacturers, content creators, advertisers and application developers. Over 20 of the world’s leading service providers across four continents have selected the Microsoft Mediaroom platform to drive their digital TV services. More information on Microsoft Mediaroom and the opportunity to deliver the best in TV plus all your media in one place is available at http://www.microsoft.com/TV and http://www.microsoftmediaroom.com.

BT and Microsoft Announce Partnership to Deliver Powerful, First-of-its-Kind Entertainment Experience to Consumers Through Xbox 360

admin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:33:00 GMT

BT Vision IPTV customers will soon be able to receive best in gaming, TV and movies, all through Xbox 360.

Microsoft Corp. and telecommunications leader BT announced they are bringing together the next-generation TV service BT Vision with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 games and entertainment system.

All BT broadband customers will have the unique opportunity to receive the best in high-definition gaming, television and movies through an Xbox 360 console, in a powerful, all-in-one entertainment experience.

BT Vision, which is powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform, plans to make this first-of-its-kind device and service offering available to customers in the middle of 2008. The announcement was made during the keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President Robbie Bach of the Entertainment & Devices Division at 2008 International CES on Jan. 6.

The groundbreaking partnership will enable any BT Broadband customer to use an Xbox 360 console to access the BT Vision service and its extensive library of on-demand content, giving instant access to hundreds of movies and thousands of hours of sporting events, television programming, music videos and other digital content, such as BT Vision Sport’s 242 “near-live” FA Premier League football matches.

BT Vision customers with an Xbox 360 console will gain the option of accessing BT Vision from either the Xbox 360 console or a set-top-box. The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 console owners.

BT Vision on Xbox will combine the richness of the Microsoft Mediaroom-enabled TV service with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings. Xbox LIVE, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox LIVE Marketplace, all while watching TV.

For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to join a voice chat, or they could play a game of their own with EA SPORTS™ “FIFA Soccer.”

“We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to deliver a truly compelling connected entertainment experience to our customers,” said Dan Marks, CEO of BT Vision.

“For the first time consumers in the U.K. will be able to experience the advantages of an advanced TV service together with the benefits of next-generation gaming. Our aim is to provide BT Vision on multiple platforms — giving customers greater convenience, control and flexibility over what they watch, when they watch and how they watch TV. It also means that we are able to potentially expand our BT Vision customer base by tapping into the popularity of Xbox 360.”

“This is an exciting moment in home entertainment,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Connected Television Division at Microsoft.

“Last year at CES, we announced Xbox 360 on Microsoft Mediaroom as a powerful platform capable of enabling new entertainment experiences for consumers, and we are pleased to team with BT to bring this service to market. Together we are enabling BT Vision customers to be the first in the world to enjoy this next-generation TV and gaming entertainment experience.”

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services; local, national and international telecommunications services; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit http://www.bt.com.

About BT Vision

BT Vision is available to anyone with a BT Broadband connection with suitable minimum line speed and a BT Home Hub. It offers a free HD-ready set-top box, known as the V-Box, which includes all the 60 or so Freeview TV and radio channels, an inclusive digital video recorder (DVR) of up to 80 hours which allows viewers to pause and rewind live TV, and offers instant viewing of thousands of hours of great entertainment, including blockbuster and classic movies, cartoons, music and TV programmes. For more details please go to www.bt.com/btvision.

The V-box is free for new broadband customers or existing customers re-contracting for 12 months (18 months with Option 1) – otherwise £199. A connection fee of £30 and engineer installation of £60 applies, or Vision can be self-installed for just the connection fee of £30.

Services including live Setanta Sports action require a decoder card.