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Monday 18th June 2007

Microsoft retunes its IPTV platform 12:39PM, Monday 18th June 2007

Microsoft is updating and rebranding its IPTV platform, which helps deliver TV services over the internet. Re-dubbed Microsoft Mediaroom, Microsoft's IPTV has already been adopted by service providers such as Deutsche Telekom and BT, underpinning the BT Vision service, for example.

New features announced at the NXTcomm show in Chicago, include support for media sharing around the home, for example, viewing digital photographs stored on PCs elsewhere in the house on a television screen.

There is also improved MultiView picture-in-picture

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capabilities, says Microsoft, allowing users to see multiple channels, programs and camera angles on a single screen.

Finally, Redmond says it has improved support for third-party multimedia apps - enabling service providers to deploy video-on-demand portals and interactive TV services, for example. As part of this, there is a Microsoft Mediaroom Application Development toolkit, for building TV-based apps that will run on Microsoft's platform.

Why rename the service to 'Mediaroom'? To 'better reflect the broader set of new connected entertainment experiences made possible today and the types of experiences anticipated in the future,' says Microsoft. It will also play better - it believes - as an 'ingredient brand' within a mix of services provided by third-party operators.

You can find more info at www.microsoftmediaroom.com.

Alun Williams

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