Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

[Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]

Will Windows Power the Living Room?
Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.

Joris Evers, IDG News Service
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.

The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.

The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
Microsoft and HP.

The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.

"The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
movie downloads.


Multitasking Device
Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
else.

When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
video recording features.

The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
electronics devices.

"Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.

The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
PC.

The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
first Smart Displays shipped.

"The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
mobile terminals.


Just a Peek
Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.

"This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."

A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
same room.

At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.

In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/articl [...] 04X,00.asp


==
"Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
-- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

"Ablang" wrote:
> At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
> related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
>
> In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
> about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
> its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
> Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.

Microsoft is planning the Palladium future, a future free from the burden of choice.

Jon

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

mv /var/posts/Ablang/HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com /dev/null:
> [Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
>
> Will Windows Power the Living Room?
> Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.

I hope not.

Else we'll get blue screens on TV's, Windows Protection Errors on DVD players
and illegal operations on phones. We didn't account for the corrupted registry
in the CD player. <g>

[]s
--
Chaos Master® | "I'm going under,
Posting from Brazil! | drowning in you
ICQ: 126375906 | I'm falling forever,
ask for e-mail/MSN | I've got to break through"
---------------------. -- Evanescence, "Going Under"

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Microsoft's "ultimate" PC will be a robotic PC that look like....
http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com

Ablang <HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com> wrote in message news:<hktt90tuuiv41v8k0pr8kcq8dbd96b0sik@4ax.com>...
> [Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
>
> Will Windows Power the Living Room?
> Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.
>
> Joris Evers, IDG News Service
> Tuesday, May 04, 2004
> SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
> conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
> video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.
>
> The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
> Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
> Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.
>
> The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
> a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
> turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
> or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
> color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
> Microsoft and HP.
>
> The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
> says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.
>
> "The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
> we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
> allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
> and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
> movie downloads.
>
>
> Multitasking Device
> Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
> fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
> individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
> will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
> else.
>
> When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
> information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
> take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
> the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
> video recording features.
>
> The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
> drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
> marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
> electronics devices.
>
> "Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
> potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
> into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
> will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.
>
> The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
> in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
> from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
> that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
> PC.
>
> The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
> wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
> first Smart Displays shipped.
>
> "The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
> notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
> am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
> broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
> mobile terminals.
>
>
> Just a Peek
> Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
> be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.
>
> "This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
> says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
> we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
> concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."
>
> A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
> makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
> December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
> need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
> same room.
>
> At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
> related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
>
> In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
> about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
> its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
> Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.
>
> http://www.pcworld.com/news/articl [...] 04X,00.asp
>
>
> ==
> "Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
> are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
> -- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Technological advances in PC-based/Windows-based robotics goes with
their own drum beats.
But, I hope things are indeed brewing underneath the quiet surface.
PC do have the potential to become more robotic, just add X and Y
components...
Non-robotic PC in the living room just aren't that exciting, don't you
think?

wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405251405.d8ebf7c@posting.google.com>...
> Microsoft's "ultimate" PC will be a robotic PC that look like....
> http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
>
> Ablang <HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com> wrote in message news:<hktt90tuuiv41v8k0pr8kcq8dbd96b0sik@4ax.com>...
> > [Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
> >
> > Will Windows Power the Living Room?
> > Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.
> >
> > Joris Evers, IDG News Service
> > Tuesday, May 04, 2004
> > SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
> > conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
> > video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.
> >
> > The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
> > Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
> > Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.
> >
> > The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
> > a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
> > turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
> > or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
> > color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
> > Microsoft and HP.
> >
> > The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
> > says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.
> >
> > "The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
> > we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
> > allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
> > and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
> > movie downloads.
> >
> >
> > Multitasking Device
> > Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
> > fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
> > individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
> > will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
> > else.
> >
> > When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
> > information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
> > take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
> > the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
> > video recording features.
> >
> > The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
> > drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
> > marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
> > electronics devices.
> >
> > "Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
> > potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
> > into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
> > will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.
> >
> > The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
> > in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
> > from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
> > that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
> > PC.
> >
> > The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
> > wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
> > first Smart Displays shipped.
> >
> > "The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
> > notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
> > am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
> > broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
> > mobile terminals.
> >
> >
> > Just a Peek
> > Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
> > be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.
> >
> > "This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
> > says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
> > we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
> > concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."
> >
> > A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
> > makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
> > December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
> > need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
> > same room.
> >
> > At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
> > related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
> >
> > In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
> > about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
> > its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
> > Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.
> >
> > http://www.pcworld.com/news/articl [...] 04X,00.asp
> >
> >
> > ==
> > "Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
> > are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
> > -- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

I heard that Microsoft is looking for ideas to transform Xbox into a
more PC like machine. Perhaps it would be ideal for Xbox to evolve
further into a photo robotic PC in the living room.
http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/ [...] 99472.html

wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405270557.5663c42@posting.google.com>...
> Technological advances in PC-based/Windows-based robotics goes with
> their own drum beats.
> But, I hope things are indeed brewing underneath the quiet surface.
> PC do have the potential to become more robotic, just add X and Y
> components...
> Non-robotic PC in the living room just aren't that exciting, don't you
> think?
>
> wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405251405.d8ebf7c@posting.google.com>...
> > Microsoft's "ultimate" PC will be a robotic PC that look like....
> > http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
> >
> > Ablang <HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com> wrote in message news:<hktt90tuuiv41v8k0pr8kcq8dbd96b0sik@4ax.com>...
> > > [Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
> > >
> > > Will Windows Power the Living Room?
> > > Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.
> > >
> > > Joris Evers, IDG News Service
> > > Tuesday, May 04, 2004
> > > SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
> > > conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
> > > video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.
> > >
> > > The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
> > > Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
> > > Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.
> > >
> > > The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
> > > a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
> > > turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
> > > or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
> > > color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
> > > Microsoft and HP.
> > >
> > > The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
> > > says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.
> > >
> > > "The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
> > > we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
> > > allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
> > > and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
> > > movie downloads.
> > >
> > >
> > > Multitasking Device
> > > Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
> > > fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
> > > individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
> > > will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
> > > else.
> > >
> > > When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
> > > information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
> > > take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
> > > the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
> > > video recording features.
> > >
> > > The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
> > > drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
> > > marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
> > > electronics devices.
> > >
> > > "Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
> > > potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
> > > into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
> > > will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.
> > >
> > > The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
> > > in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
> > > from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
> > > that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
> > > PC.
> > >
> > > The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
> > > wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
> > > first Smart Displays shipped.
> > >
> > > "The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
> > > notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
> > > am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
> > > broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
> > > mobile terminals.
> > >
> > >
> > > Just a Peek
> > > Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
> > > be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.
> > >
> > > "This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
> > > says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
> > > we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
> > > concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."
> > >
> > > A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
> > > makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
> > > December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
> > > need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
> > > same room.
> > >
> > > At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
> > > related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
> > >
> > > In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
> > > about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
> > > its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
> > > Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.
> > >
> > > http://www.pcworld.com/news/articl [...] 04X,00.asp
> > >
> > >
> > > ==
> > > "Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
> > > are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
> > > -- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

Traditionally, PC is design to be use with a desk. This is more a must
than an option. So, why not built PC with a desk built-in. This is
sort like the coffee table book about coffee table that is also in
itself a coffee table.


wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405300731.53ec1281@posting.google.com>...
> I heard that Microsoft is looking for ideas to transform Xbox into a
> more PC like machine. Perhaps it would be ideal for Xbox to evolve
> further into a photo robotic PC in the living room.
> http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
>
> http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/ [...] 99472.html
>
> wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405270557.5663c42@posting.google.com>...
> > Technological advances in PC-based/Windows-based robotics goes with
> > their own drum beats.
> > But, I hope things are indeed brewing underneath the quiet surface.
> > PC do have the potential to become more robotic, just add X and Y
> > components...
> > Non-robotic PC in the living room just aren't that exciting, don't you
> > think?
> >
> > wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405251405.d8ebf7c@posting.google.com>...
> > > Microsoft's "ultimate" PC will be a robotic PC that look like....
> > > http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
> > >
> > > Ablang <HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com> wrote in message news:<hktt90tuuiv41v8k0pr8kcq8dbd96b0sik@4ax.com>...
> > > > [Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
> > > >
> > > > Will Windows Power the Living Room?
> > > > Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.
> > > >
> > > > Joris Evers, IDG News Service
> > > > Tuesday, May 04, 2004
> > > > SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
> > > > conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
> > > > video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.
> > > >
> > > > The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
> > > > Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
> > > > Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.
> > > >
> > > > The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
> > > > a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
> > > > turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
> > > > or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
> > > > color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
> > > > Microsoft and HP.
> > > >
> > > > The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
> > > > says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.
> > > >
> > > > "The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
> > > > we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
> > > > allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
> > > > and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
> > > > movie downloads.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Multitasking Device
> > > > Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
> > > > fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
> > > > individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
> > > > will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
> > > > else.
> > > >
> > > > When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
> > > > information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
> > > > take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
> > > > the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
> > > > video recording features.
> > > >
> > > > The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
> > > > drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
> > > > marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
> > > > electronics devices.
> > > >
> > > > "Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
> > > > potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
> > > > into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
> > > > will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.
> > > >
> > > > The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
> > > > in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
> > > > from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
> > > > that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
> > > > PC.
> > > >
> > > > The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
> > > > wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
> > > > first Smart Displays shipped.
> > > >
> > > > "The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
> > > > notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
> > > > am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
> > > > broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
> > > > mobile terminals.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Just a Peek
> > > > Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
> > > > be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.
> > > >
> > > > "This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
> > > > says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
> > > > we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
> > > > concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."
> > > >
> > > > A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
> > > > makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
> > > > December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
> > > > need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
> > > > same room.
> > > >
> > > > At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
> > > > related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
> > > >
> > > > In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
> > > > about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
> > > > its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
> > > > Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.pcworld.com/news/articl [...] 04X,00.asp
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ==
> > > > "Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
> > > > are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
> > > > -- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

baracooda wrote:

> Traditionally, PC is design to be use with a desk. This is more a must
> than an option. So, why not built PC with a desk built-in.

You just wiped out the entire notebook/laptop industry, plus who knows what
others.

> This is
> sort like the coffee table book about coffee table that is also in
> itself a coffee table.
>
>
> wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405300731.53ec1281@posting.google.com>...
>
>>I heard that Microsoft is looking for ideas to transform Xbox into a
>>more PC like machine. Perhaps it would be ideal for Xbox to evolve
>>further into a photo robotic PC in the living room.
>>http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
>>
>>http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/05/27/news_6099472.html
>>
>>wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405270557.5663c42@posting.google.com>...
>>
>>>Technological advances in PC-based/Windows-based robotics goes with
>>>their own drum beats.
>>>But, I hope things are indeed brewing underneath the quiet surface.
>>>PC do have the potential to become more robotic, just add X and Y
>>>components...
>>>Non-robotic PC in the living room just aren't that exciting, don't you
>>>think?
>>>
>>>wayne.chiang@gmail.com (baracooda) wrote in message news:<e49ffd2f.0405251405.d8ebf7c@posting.google.com>...
>>>
>>>>Microsoft's "ultimate" PC will be a robotic PC that look like....
>>>>http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com
>>>>
>>>>Ablang <HilaryDuffThePerfectWoman052304@ablang-duff.com> wrote in message news:<hktt90tuuiv41v8k0pr8kcq8dbd96b0sik@4ax.com>...
>>>>
>>>>>[Ed. The PC could well be on it's way out.]
>>>>>
>>>>>Will Windows Power the Living Room?
>>>>>Microsoft's Home Concept PC combines video recorder, CD player, phone, and more.
>>>>>
>>>>>Joris Evers, IDG News Service
>>>>>Tuesday, May 04, 2004
>>>>>SEATTLE -- Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard are showing off at a developers
>>>>>conference here some Windows XP concept devices intended to replace a consumer's
>>>>>video recorder, CD player, answering machine, and telephone.
>>>>>
>>>>>The Windows Home Concept is expected to make its debut in the opening talk by
>>>>>Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates at the annual Windows
>>>>>Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week.
>>>>>
>>>>>The hub of the Windows Home Concept is the Home Center PC, which looks more like
>>>>>a fancy video recorder than a PC. Unlike today's Windows systems, the device can
>>>>>turn on and off instantly and operate silently. Also, it does not need a mouse
>>>>>or keyboard; all access is through an intelligent remote control that features a
>>>>>color screen, fingerprint reader, microphone, and speaker, according to
>>>>>Microsoft and HP.
>>>>>
>>>>>The Windows Home Concept is an evolution of Windows XP Media Center Edition,
>>>>>says Greg Sullivan, lead product manager for Windows.
>>>>>
>>>>>"The improvements in Windows combined with new hardware will enable devices that
>>>>>we will be happy to put in our living room," Sullivan says. Media Center PCs
>>>>>allow users to use a remote control to provide access via TV to photos, video,
>>>>>and music stored on their PC, as well as selected Internet services such as
>>>>>movie downloads.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Multitasking Device
>>>>>Microsoft has a grand vision for the Windows Home Concept. Through the
>>>>>fingerprint reader on the remote, the Home Center PC will automatically show an
>>>>>individual user's favorite TV shows and computer games. The screen on the remote
>>>>>will let users to select shows to record, even while the PC is doing something
>>>>>else.
>>>>>
>>>>>When connected to a phone line, the Home Center PC can display caller
>>>>>information on the TV when a call comes in. The user can then decide whether to
>>>>>take the call, with the remote acting as a speaker phone, or have the PC answer
>>>>>the call. TV can be paused while a call is answered, using the system's digital
>>>>>video recording features.
>>>>>
>>>>>The HP concept Home Center PC boasts a DVD burner, high-capacity hard disk
>>>>>drive, and other features, says Ameer Karim, HP's director of worldwide product
>>>>>marketing. It also has a display on the front, much like traditional consumer
>>>>>electronics devices.
>>>>>
>>>>>"Think of this as replacing your DVD recorder, VCR, CD player, TiVo, and
>>>>>potentially your AV receiver in the future," he says. "This is the PC turned
>>>>>into an entertainment device." For a separate den room as well as the office, HP
>>>>>will continue to make and sell regular PCs, he says.
>>>>>
>>>>>The Home Center PC will also function as a wireless access point for other PCs
>>>>>in the home to access data and to share its broadband Internet connection. Aside
>>>>>from the Home Center PC, the Windows Home Concept also includes a Home Tablet PC
>>>>>that will come with a docking station and can synchronize with the Home Center
>>>>>PC.
>>>>>
>>>>>The vision for the Home Tablet PC is similar to that of the Smart Display, the
>>>>>wireless PC displays that Microsoft dropped in December, only a year after the
>>>>>first Smart Displays shipped.
>>>>>
>>>>>"The Home Tablet PC is a more compelling scenario," Sullivan says. "There is a
>>>>>notion that the ability to take my content with me and it still be usable when I
>>>>>am away from my home network is an important feature." The comments echo the
>>>>>broad criticism of Smart Displays, which were found to be overpriced, dumb
>>>>>mobile terminals.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Just a Peek
>>>>>Just as with concept cars at auto shows, the Windows Home Concept devices won't
>>>>>be found at retailers soon, Sullivan says.
>>>>>
>>>>>"This is not a product announcement; it is a demonstration of a concept," he
>>>>>says. "Over the next 12 to 18 months you will see many of the technologies that
>>>>>we are showing here shipping in PCs. The full end-to-end scenario of the
>>>>>concept, we're thinking is kind of a 2006 scenario."
>>>>>
>>>>>A step closer to the vision will be reality later this year. Several hardware
>>>>>makers, including HP, plan release Windows Media Center Extenders before the
>>>>>December holiday shopping season. The Windows Media Center Extender removes the
>>>>>need to physically connect the TV to a Media Center PC or even have it in the
>>>>>same room.
>>>>>
>>>>>At WinHEC, Microsoft tells hardware makers where it is headed with Windows and
>>>>>related software products so they can allocate resources accordingly.
>>>>>
>>>>>In addition to the Windows Home Concept, Microsoft plans to provide details
>>>>>about Web services for devices such as printers and digital cameras as well as
>>>>>its plans for products including Windows Media Digital Rights Management,
>>>>>Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, and Longhorn, the successor to Windows XP.
>>>>>
>>>>>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,115977,tk,dn050404X,00.asp
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>==
>>>>>"Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies
>>>>>are like cats. Yell at a cat one time... they're gone."
>>>>> -- Lenny Bruce

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

wipe out?
Not quite, but the evolution can be a slow processs.
But trends are brewing underneath the surface.
Any entity with even trace amount of intelligence will refuse to
r