It’s been reported that Microsoft is on the brink of revealing a web connected television service that will directly rival those of its main competitors, Google and Apple.

The new device is expected to be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and will mark yet another effort by the software giant to beat rivals by releasing its own version of already hyped products, claimed a spokesperson for SEO company Queryclick.com.

However, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has made a foray into online TV. Back in 2002 it launched a media centre platform which, while innovative, didn’t have the audience reach needed to make it a success at the time. It’s a different story these days, and Microsoft could be in a position to release a very strong TV offering.

Brier Dudley of the Seattle Times explained that the device uses a version of software used in Microsoft’s embedded device software overlaid with the interface used by Windows Media Centre. It will offer media streaming and remote-control capabilities.

SEO company Queryclick.com said Microsoft could gain a lot of traction in the market by pipping Google to the post with its release of the new software. “Despite a slow start, Apple has since had a lot of success with its TV offering and it was no surprise to us that Google would be running with the innovation.

“Now there are rumours that Microsoft is also about to join the battle and, what with Google TV already suffering delays and setbacks, it could have an opportunity to put a dent in the market for the search giant. While early adopters may have already chosen their web-TV device, there will be a significant number of people who will surely wait to see what Microsoft will bring to the table.”

At the end of last year there were reports that Google asked a number of its TV-manufacturing partners to delay the release of their Google TV units as a direct result of complaints from early critics.

Via EPR Network
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