The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is going on this week in Las Vegas. Microsoft is unveiling waves of new products. Vista and Office 2007 are the big products, but it was the Xbox 360 numbers that caught my attention. During the 4th quarter there were 10.4 million Xbox 360s sold and more than 5 million Xbox Live subscriptions. 
I think the big story of 2007 will be Xbox 360 combined with Windows Media Center. The Xbox 360 supports High Def, wireless Internet connection, and Xbox Live multi-player gaming. The Xbox 360 will be the gateway to your TV. In just over a year, people have downloaded more than 100 million pieces of content to their Xbox 360 consoles, which include game content, television shows and movies. When your Xbox 360 is connected to your TV and home stereo system, you can kick back on your couch and press the Green Button on the remote control to access all your digital music, photos, movies, and TV shows. 
Your computer can stay in your home office or wherever it is now, and wirelessly connect to your Xbox 360 near the TV. Your TV screen becomes the viewer for all of your digital content. The User Interface is beautiful, very intuitive, and totally focused on media. No keyboards or drop down menus. Just scroll through the graphical options. It is awesome!
I don't normally include many photos in my blog posts but the Media Center stuff is so new and different that words can't adequately describe the experience.
Vista and Office will get lots of attention and will generate billions in revenue, but Xbox 360 combined with Media Center open up a whole new world for Microsoft and content providers.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Zune music player also gets plugged into the action. There is a lot happening in the consumer media space. Does Comdex exist anymore? It seems that CES is the new Comdex.
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Interesting tag to your post-re COMDEX. Over a period of years Comdex for me turned from an exciting reward for a hard year of work to the dreaded schmooze fest. I think now that's it's clear that content is driving the bus there will be less concern over new technical do-dad's (as everyone is now just assuming cheaper, cooler, more amazing stuff is inevitable) as exactly what will those clever devices actually be hosting.
I think the Zune proliferation issue is an interesting one-will it be the Pepsi to the Ipod Coke? I don't really think the bells and whistles will determine the fate of the device as much as how MS can imaginatively partner with content providers to offer unique experiences no available with the Ipod.
Have a good show and wear comfortable shoes!
Posted by: Dick Deluxe | January 08, 2007 at 02:13 PM
That would explain why Microsoft is ignoring complaints about media not working on notebooks and pc's. Trying to kill off the use of a personal computer for viewing movies and so on.
It is pretty obvious that Microsoft is herding again. This time to get us to buy an XBOX, the new MPC.
Personally, I don't like being herded.
Posted by: Mike | January 08, 2007 at 08:40 PM
I am very curious as to why Microsoft did not take advantage of XBox's branding when entering the MP3 player space.
Instead of spending millions making a new brand out of Zune, just call it XPlayer or XTunes or something. Millions of MS's XBox loving freaks would probably jump on it and MS can enjoy the X love like Apple fans enjoy the "i" love.
-Zaid
Posted by: Zaid | January 09, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Yeah, I love my xbox360 more than ps3 or other consoles. Xbox360 games are better than ps3 and cheaper. That's the point.
Posted by: xbox 360 for sale | December 23, 2008 at 09:56 AM