Microsoft co-founder and luckiest guy in the world, Steve Ballmer, has gone on the campaign trail to reinforce the stance of Microsoft in it's position on Bluray. The MS CEO let everyone know that the next OS from Redmond, the long awaited (and sometimes dreaded) Vista OS will someday support HD-DVD. Whoopee! Even though the product is not due out for another 18 months he said that it probably will not support their favored format at first. Why not?
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'We think it has some real advantages and that's why we have been working very actively with Toshiba and other members of the DVD forum in order to promote this concept,' he said. He added that although MGM and Warner have recently backed Blu-ray, there is support for both formats among the major studios. |
Wow, that guy is a real comfort. You would think that a company that holds so many desktops in their portfolio, would at least try and support both technologies like some of the studios they speak about. Something does not add up here. But, we all know the politics behind the spin and this is all about posturing. Blu-ray gains momentum with 80% of the content, so go public with a lack of support warning for it in the next OS, that will soon be shoved down our throats by PC vendors. Too bad he undermined himself by stating that neither format Will work on the whiz-bang Vista, I guess they need a new slogan because the "plays for sure" wont cut it, it seems.
We have all been hearing how Vista will probably include the home entertainment portion Media Center Edition as a part of the Vista OS. The betas out there right now confirm this plan. However, if they intend to include it, it ought to play any of the HD content from the studios. Yet, neither format will work at first it seems. This is ridiculous for a future operating system.
For the love of Mike, will we ever have a real choice on OS's? This is so maddening. C'mon Google, AOL and some of you other companies out there with the big bucks, give us an alternative OS. Apple, how's that Intel version coming? We know you have strong ties with Hollywood, maybe you can get the job done and kick MS where it hurts, this is the time to do it! Pull the rug out from under these bullies.
Source: PC Pro
