Month: January 2009

New VidaBox Touch3.6™ touch pad provides truly customizable controls in a full color double-gang sized touch screen Las Vegas, NV – CES 2009 – January 8-11 – Hilton Suite H22-121 – VidaBox, a manufacturer of digital entertainment and control solutions, is proud to debut the Touch3.6™, a full-color touchpad capable of presenting an interactive, fully-customizable interface.  This 320×234 resolution screen will allow control of any device via RS-232, TCP/IP, IR, and other control protocols through the vAutomation™ platform. “We’re absolutely thrilled to offer our dealers the new Touch3.6 panel,” exclaims Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox LLC. “Integrators can finally install … Continue reading New VidaBox Touch3.6 Touch Pad Provides Truly Customizable Controls

VidaBox releases new vPad8™, an enhanced ultra-mobile tablet designed for automation & customizable controls Las Vegas, NV – CES 2009 – January 8-11 – Hilton Suite H22-121 – VidaBox LLC, a manufacturer of digital entertainment and control solutions, is proud to present the vPad8™, a thin and light ultra-mobile tablet PC.  Running on Windows XP embedded, it features a full-color touch screen with 800×600 resolution and comes standard with WiFi connectivity, making it an ideal control interface device. “We’re excited to release the new vPad8™ panel,” exclaims Steven Cheung, President of VidaBox. “This is a smaller, less bulky version of … Continue reading VidaBox Releases New vPad8, an Enhanced Ultra-Mobile Tablet Designed for Automation

Mediaroom-based services can now add Mediaroom Anytime, enabling TV viewers to enjoy previously aired programs or restart currently airing shows without preplanning or prior DVR recording; new immersive applications complement the Mediaroom TV experience with content and services from the Internet. LAS VEGAS — Jan. 8, 2009 — At 2009 International CES today, Microsoft Corp. unveiled Mediaroom Anytime, a groundbreaking feature set for the Microsoft Mediaroom multimedia and IPTV platform that allows viewers to truly watch TV on their own time. In addition to existing Mediaroom features, such as video on demand, DVR Anywhere and Remote Digital Video Recording, the … Continue reading Microsoft Mediaroom Gets More Power and Gives TV a Reverse Gear

Windows Media Center was talked about in the CES keynote, but despite the several mentions of bringing the “three different screens” together, Media Center is still lacking in Microsoft’s digital home vision.  Windows Media Center has really reduced to this PR statement… “Consumers today have access to more digital media and are increasingly using the PC as the hub of their electronic experiences. The “Play-to” feature in Windows 7 allows easier streaming of music, video and photos to devices in a home network. Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center in Windows 7 have built-in support for more media formats … Continue reading Microsoft Skips Media Center at CES Keynote

Media Center 10 million Media Center users a month Average Media Center session time is ~90 minutes Xbox 360 Xbox LIVE membership that has grown to 17 million active members. Xbox 360 has sold 28 million consoles sold to date More than $1 billion spent on Xbox LIVE since the launch of the Xbox 360 Xbox 360 has largest game attach rate Xbox LIVE Primetime channel brings together the best of TV and gaming in an interactive way. Primetime will create scheduled programming, offer interactive and social features. Average Halo player playing 150 hours on Xbox LIVE Two new Halo … Continue reading Random Notes from Microsoft’s CES Keynote

Developing…. “new interactive entertainment genre with the premiere of the Xbox LIVE Primetime channel, which brings together the best of TV and gaming. Xbox LIVE Primetime will debut with an online version of the popular TV show “1 vs. 100” that enables thousands of gamers to play together with real hosts and compete for real prizes.”

Developing… “This month, Microsoft and Netflix, the world’s largest online movie rental service, will offer software that enables Windows Mobile customers to update and view their Netflix movie queue. Changes will appear instantly on Netflix on Xbox LIVE, extending the existing service that launched in November. Xbox 360 is the only game system that lets people instantly watch thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix, many in HD.”

Company previews simpler, better Windows operating system and highlights connected entertainment offerings at CES. LAS VEGAS — Jan. 7, 2009 — In a keynote address at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced the beta availability of the Windows 7 operating system as well as the availability of the latest version of the Windows Live, a suite of personal communications services and applications. “I’m thrilled to announce the availability of the Windows 7 beta, which is on track to deliver simplicity and reliability,” Ballmer said. “Windows 7 and Windows Live are part … Continue reading Microsoft’s Ballmer Announces Availability of Windows 7 Beta and Windows Live

At CES 2009, Microsoft announced advances in Windows 7 beta, Windows Mobile, Windows Live – all designed to help consumers connect and live a ‘life without walls.’ LAS VEGAS – Jan. 7, 2009 – At the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft is shining a spotlight on something besides the biggest LCD screen or the coolest new tech gadgets: It’s showing consumers how Windows can make their lives easier, more productive, more enjoyable. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer opened the show with news that a beta version of Windows 7, Microsoft’s newest operating system, will be widely available for download on … Continue reading Windows Helps Consumers Connect to the Digital World

Driven by record sales at retail along with an 84 percent jump in online consumer spending; global install base lead over PlayStation 3 expands to more than 8 million units. REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 5, 2009 — Despite a tough economy, the gaming industry held strong in 2008 and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system recorded the biggest year in Xbox history, with more consoles, games and online entertainment experiences sold than any previous year. It was a year in which life-to-date unit sales of Xbox 360 systems climbed to 28 million consoles worldwide — expanding the … Continue reading Xbox 360 Records Its Biggest Year Ever