Focus Moves Beyond PC at CES 2007

Announcements from Microsoft at the Jan. 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) revealed how the company is continuing to diversify its home entertainment strategy. Although the Windows PC still plays an important role in this strategy, particularly with the forthcoming launch of Windows Vista, the company is increasing its focus on other devices—for example, by introducing a home server based on Windows Server and adding TV capabilities to the Xbox 360.

Beyond the PC

Unlike past years, the most significant new products and partnerships that Microsoft announced at the 2007 CES had little direct connection to the Windows PC.

This is in line with the recent evolution of Microsoft’s home entertainment strategy. In past years, Microsoft has promoted the Windows PC as the central device in the home for accessing, storing, and playing digital media, and it focused on building software platforms—such as the Windows Media platform and the Media Center interface—that would allow third parties to help realize this vision.