Free Windows Software Update Will Make Digital Music, Videos, Photos, Standard
and High-Definition Television and Movies Available Through Xbox 360 at the
Touch of a Button
LOS ANGELES, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3) 2005 in Los Angeles, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)
today announced it will release a free software update to Windows(R) XP Media
Center Edition 2005 that will enable customers to take advantage of the Media
Center Extender technologies built into Xbox 360(TM) gaming systems to access
and enjoy digital entertainment anywhere in the home. Every Xbox 360 will have
Media Center Extender functionality built in and available out of the box. The
Media Center Extender functionality, coupled with the software update for
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, will provide customers with seamless
access to digital music, video, photos, and standard and high-definition
television and movies on Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox
360 game console in the house.
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"Microsoft continues to advance its vision of digital entertainment
anywhere," said Will Poole, senior vice president of the Windows Client
Business at Microsoft. "The combination of the world's most powerful gaming
console, Xbox 360, with a Media Center Edition 2005-based PC results in an
unprecedented home entertainment experience for our customers. By seamlessly
integrating Microsoft's premium entertainment devices, we are greatly
enhancing the ways in which our customers will experience entertainment in and
around their homes."
Microsoft(R) Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 offers people around the
world the widest range of entertainment experiences on the PC. Customer and
industry support for Media Center Edition 2005 has never been stronger, with
sales of Media Center PCs eclipsing the 2 million mark in April. In addition,
there are more than 90 computer manufacturers and 7,000 system builders
shipping Media Center PCs in 13 countries, with 20 additional markets planned
by the end of the year. Media Center PC customers also can access more than 35
industry partner content and service providers across the globe via the Online
Spotlight feature of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
Inclusion of Media Center Extender technologies in Xbox 360 represents
Microsoft's latest effort to provide consumers with seamless access to the
same great experience provided in Media Center Edition PCs on any TV in the
house. The Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 experience will be accessible
on Xbox 360 systems by pressing the green button on the new Xbox 360 remote
control. And, for the first time ever, the extender technologies that are
built into Xbox 360 will enable customers to enjoy high-definition
entertainment. For example, Xbox 360 will let players stream high-definition
TV and movies stored on Media Center PCs, allowing them to watch a
high-definition sports event while they chat with friends in other parts of
the country who are watching the same game. Or they can receive a friend's
invitation to play a game while watching live television.
"By integrating diverse technology expertise and innovations across the
company, Microsoft is able to deliver rich digital entertainment experiences
that consumers have been asking for," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox(R) officer
at Microsoft. "The Windows XP Media Center Extender technologies in Xbox 360
will make the living room a place where both experiences seamlessly converge
and are easy to enjoy." Xbox 360 is the future-generation video game and
entertainment system that places users at the center of the experience. Xbox
360 will ignite a new era of digital entertainment that is always connected,
always personalized and always in high definition. Xbox 360, in addition to
including Media Center Extender technologies, features the Media Blade, which
will allow customers to select Remote PC to access the digital photos and
music they have stored on any Windows XP-based PC.
Availability
The software update to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 that enables
Media Center Extender functionality in Xbox 360 is scheduled to be released in
the second half of 2005. It will be available as a free download to current
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 customers, as well as on new PCs. Xbox
360 is scheduled to be available this Christmas holiday season.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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