RSSGates Touts 'Mira', 'Freestyle' for Living Rooms
By Nate Mook | Published January 8, 2002, 1:14 AM
Microsoft's eHome Division is slowly making progress in its quest to merge the PC with home electronics. In his keynote address at CES Monday evening, Bill Gates previewed two new technologies designed to enable the use of a Windows XP PC when not parked in front of it.
A virtual media center code-named "Freestyle" will allow a user to access music, video and photos from across the room via remote control and extra-large user interface. Additionally, a set of technologies dubbed "Mira" will serve as the foundation for detachable displays set to debut later this year.
With recent home computers sporting high-fidelity speaker systems and expensive digital cameras, it is no surprise that the PC has become the focal point of many living rooms. However, PCs lack the level of convenience seen in the television or stereo - surfing content while relaxing on the sofa. Microsoft aims to fill this gap with Freestyle, building on the enhanced digital media capabilities in Windows XP.
"This is the idea of using a PC without sitting down at a keyboard. Wherever you are, the idea of remote interactivity comes with Windows," Gates said in his keynote.
Freestyle will include capabilities to play DVDs and digital music, and even function as a personal video recorder to watch, record and pause live TV. Such a move may upset SnapStream, which makes PVR software for Windows - and is a close Microsoft partner. Hewlett-Packard, NEC and Samsung have already announced intentions to build hardware around Freestyle.
Taking the concept of remote interactivity even further is Mira, which Microsoft calls "the evolution of the monitor." Built on Windows CE .NET, Mira will lay the groundwork for a new generation of portable wireless touch-screen monitors. Utilizing the Remote Desktop Protocol found in Windows XP, Mira will enable a user to work on a PC from up to 150 feet away.
Unlike the business-oriented Tablet PC, a Mira device will simply function as a portal to the desktop computer. This means the display can be fairly lightweight and inexpensive - a sensible alternative for home users. Mira will support the same handwriting recognition found in Microsoft's Pocket PC and 802.11 for a secure wireless connection.
The first beta release of Mira was recently sent to hardware manufacturers including Intel, ViewSonic, Wyse, and National Semiconductor. ViewSonic was the first to showcase a Mira device at CES, although a final product is a ways off. "We expect to see these devices out there by Christmas 2002," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.
I just don't trust any of M$ products.
Should I?
Do you?
Tell me about it.
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|It couldn't be easier to see that this is just another way for Microsoft to spy on your life. Any device that: 1, is so connected to so many devices through the internet...2, is made by Microsoft...you just know that they will record your personal preferences and try to "suggest content that you would like." Translation - selling your personal info to advertisers.
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|"Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you" (or something like that)
James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com
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|Why is it that people equate Microsoft to the likes of the CIA or NSA? What do you really think is so important on your home PC that a multi-billion dollar company would want to spy on you? I am sure Bill G. has access to much better porn than you do! With the amount of PC's out in the market running MS OS's and other application suites, do you really think MS has the computing power and storage to be able to data mine all those PC's? Our federal intelligence agencies can barley do it, and they are running Cray's and Big Blue's....
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|I'm disturbed by their apparent vision of having Microsoft in every device within a house.
I simply would *not* trust a Microsoft toilet.
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|But what if it had a fold-out LCD which could be used for video conferencing or finishing that important document for the meeting? Never again will you waste time in the bathroom. :)
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|video conferencing... ? ahem.
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|If the toilet is M$ sure it have DOS or another bugs ;)
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|Maybe I could attend a meeting while on the can?
That might be worth a kick...
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|Something tells me that ole Bill has a little more to do than examine your stool sample.
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