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Microsoft launches MSN News Beta for Windows Vista Media Center
Microsoft has been making some MSNBC content available through the Internet TV menu for the past year. But the MSNBC News Beta application has a completely new interface. You can browser top stories, election related stories, or view weather forecasts for your area. There's also a search box which lets you find recent news videos related to a specific topic, like Sarah Palin.
The interface is also unusual in that you can easily browser for additional content while watching a video in full-screen mode. Just click the OK button on a Media Center remote control and a window will pop up allowing you to navigate through the various news categories.
It's nice to see Microsoft release a new application for Windows Media Center. It would be even nicer if Microsoft would make more of the content that's available on MSN Video available using the 10-foot Media Center interface. Hulu content, perhaps?
Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsBrentOct 1st 2008 4:17PM
Great move by Microsoft. It's no Hulu, but its a great start. Online video will become more and more important in the coming months/years.
ChrisOct 1st 2008 4:31PM
This actually popped up for me back in August, right after I may or may not have installed the TV pack... but it disappeared after like 3 days. I know it happened, because all of a sudden I could easily check the weather, but then it was gone, just like that.
QuikboyOct 1st 2008 9:11PM
Nice find! I too really wish MS could talk with NBC (their partners after all?) into getting Hulu content onto WMC. And getting MSN Video content would be smart (even though it kinda sucks...) rather than keep it separated. HD would be a nice plus.
Can't wait what internet TV brings tomorrow.
BrianOct 2nd 2008 10:00AM
Agreed. I'd knock my cable down to channels 2-13 if Hulu was integrated into MCE. Between Netflix streaming through my Xbox, Hulu, and QAM, I'd be set.
mattOct 1st 2008 11:56PM
once again, no love for anyone outside of the US.
Bob DabalinaOct 2nd 2008 8:02AM
Yes first Pandora and now Microsoft is run by
the lawyers. I get both MSNBC and CNBC here
in Europe on satellite, and yet these online services can't go
international. So much for the global economy.
Why is it that Microsoft can sell their OS internationally
and can't support those customers ? Media Lawyers !
kill the trade........
**1 MSNBC News is available only in the U.S. and Canada **
Good luck Microsoft.
Jash SayaniOct 2nd 2008 9:15AM
Nice to see M$ catch up with the Media Center...
KimOct 2nd 2008 9:16AM
Great idea, but it froze for me. Maybe once this is out of beta there will be other news "channels" and support for other countries.