Microsoft

Microsoft features in the Com-Di affair

Published

22 years ago

February 14, 2004

MUMBAI: While a lot of speculations are being made in the media about the outcome of the Comcast-Disney merger if it does come about; here’s the latest on that front.

Now looks like the world’s leading software company Microsoft is a possible suitor for Disney. It may turn out that in the bid that Comcast made for Disney; Microsoft may be the silent partner.

The software company owns 7.4 per cent of Comcast and would eventually end up controlling about four per cent of the world’s largest media company if Comcast’s bid succeeds.

A few analysts said in a media report that the stake could give Microsoft leverage over the course of the deal and afterward as it looks to push its software beyond the maturing market for personal computers and into the still-developing boom in digital entertainment.

Since Microsoft has long sought to forge links in the telecommunications and entertainment industries in order to sell its software, it could definitely emerge as a rival bidder for Disney. With nearly $53 billion in cash, Microsoft could easily pay for a large media franchise, such as Disney, with cash or stock.

Reports indicate that even a minority ownership in a media giant rivaling Time Warner Inc. could be enough to create stronger links between Microsoft’s software, Comcast’s distribution and Disney’s prized entertainment assets.

On the other hand, Disney’s CEO Michael Eisner said today that Walt Disney Co. did not need a new distribution outlet for its films and television shows because of their popularity. Eisner was quoted in a media report saying, “There are great distribution companies, there are great content companies. They can be together. They don’t have to be together. We feel we’re running a pretty good company as it is.”

In the midst of all this, Eisner is also fending off calls to resign by ex-directors of the company – Roy Disney and Stanley Gold as he campaigns for re-election to the board before the company’s annual meeting on 3 March.

If you are wondering what a staid cable company like Comcast might want with the Mickey Mouse business. Well, lots. If the merger does come about, Comcast would be, for one, saving up on a lot of money. Disney’s films and television shows and networks add up to programming that – if owned by Comcast – wouldn’t have to be bought regularly.

To spell it out, Comcast can benefit from Disney’s content in the following ways:

* By creating new cable channels based on Disney content.
* Comcast Cable president Steve Burke, a former Disney executive, said in a media report last week that he envisioned all-Disney, all-the-time channels he could offer for $9.95 a month. Likewise, Comcast could sell movies from Disney’s vast archives.
* With cross-promotion. Comcast could sell packages of commercial time for both Disney’s ESPN and Comcast’s Golf Channel, for instance, to advertisers willing to pay a bit more to be on both channels.
* Bargaining power with other content providers. With its own supply of films, television shows and other features, a combined Comcast-Disney might be in a better position to negotiate with other content suppliers like TNT or HBO for cheaper prices.

In all this drama, Disney’s boy Roy Disney remains his silence on Comcast’s offer for the company.

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iWorld

Microsoft’s Xbox One aimed at greater linkage between PC and live TV

Published

12 years ago

November 9, 2013

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: Microsoft has created an extensive video walkthrough of the Xbox One dashboard, taking one through the general UI and how to access video games, apps and the new integration with live TV.

The 12-minute tour by Microsoft’s Marc Whitten and Yusuf Mehdi is a thorough and accurate representation of the general Xbox One user experience. The pair show what is available on the Home tab, as well as how to save favourite content in the Pins area over on the left-hand edge.

Visually, it does not look too different from the Xbox 360 but the customisation option and personalisation offered by the Xbox One appears impressive, says thewebnext.com. The dashboard will change automatically depending on who is signed in; the updated Kinect will identify who is in the room and then adjust the on-screen tiles and pins accordingly.

It does not matter which console is being used as all preferences will carry over as soon as one logs in with an Xbox Live account. If multiple players are logged-in simultaneously, one can also switch between custom dashboards using the phrase: “Show my stuff”.

App switching also looks snappy and responsive. Whitten calls out a series of oral commands to alternate between Hulu, Netflix, Internet Explorer and live TV, and the Xbox One appears to handle it all with only a minimal amount of lag.

The video walkthrough also shows how notifications will be presented over live TV. One can be completely removed from the dashboard experience, but the Xbox One will give an alert whenever Skype or multiplayer requests come through on the system.

Most of the focus and media coverage around the Xbox One has concerned its launch line-up, hardware specs and controversial DRM policies (all of which have now been reversed). As Microsoft ventures further into the casual market however, it’s increasingly important that the Xbox One offers an accessible, stress-free user experience. If owners are frustrated or confused by the new dashboard, the chances of them using their Xbox One as the default input for all of their games, streaming and live TV will be nil.