CES: Gates Launches Windows Home Server, First Vista PCs

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates used the podium at CES 2007 in Las Vegas to tout new home entertainment features in the Windows Vista operating system and plans for a Windows Home Server later this year.

The client-server home duo, Microsoft's modern multimedia and audio/video-on-demand platform, gives the company a strong chance against the likes of Apple and Google, industry observers say.

Microsoft also launched the first set of Vista-based PCs that will be available along with Vista consumer editions later this month.

In his 10th keynote at CES, Gates said all the pieces are now in place for the digital decade, including network bandwidth, processing power and software, but he noted that it's up to vendors, ISVs and solution providers to deliver connected experiences to consumers. And that won't happen out of the box.

"That alone is not enough. The key thing missing is the connections. Delivering on a connected experience is more than great hardware," Gates told thousands gathered at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. He noted that Microsoft has made progress connecting consumers to digital devices and online services and in connecting friends and family.

The audience applauded new features in Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate that have been kept under wraps, notably Vista's Virtual Earth 3-D mapping, Vista Ultimate's DreamScene, Media Center, DVD Maker, Photo Gallery and Grooveshot photo assistant.

But the room erupted in applause and cheers when Gates announced plans for the Windows Home Server, a joint project with Hewlett-Packard.

Later this year, HP plans to ship its HP MediaSmart Server, which will run Windows Home Server.

At CES, Advanced Micro Devices also announced its AMD Live! Home Media Server reference design platform, which is based on Windows Home Server.

"We think it's a category that can explode in importance," Gates said. "It's our entry into the category."

Windows Home Server, designed for multiple PCs in the same household, can store, manage, back up and protect digital audio, video and photos for family use. Microsoft also said consumers will be able to stream data from a home media center to its Xbox game system.

Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides a central storage unit for all digital content in the home. In addition, users can remotely access digital content using a Windows Live IP address assigned to each family member.

Microsoft plans to work with HP and other top-tier OEMs to ship Windows Home Servers. Joel Sider, a group product manager with the Windows Home Server team, said Microsoft will initially work with top OEMs but is exploring possible opportunities for system builders.

Microsoft didn't publicly discuss details of the home server, but Sider said it would be priced at about the same cost of a low-end desktop PC.

As Vista's retail availability approaches, Microsoft also announced the first batch of Vista PCs, which will hit the market at the end of the month. They include HP's TouchSmart PC with a touch screen and Toshiba Portege R400 convertible notebook, which uses Vista's new SideShow display technology to give users quick access to e-mail and appointments.

Another is Sony's Vaio GX-TP1, a full-featured Media Center PC that allows users to record TV and movies and control it via a remote. The final Vista PC launched was the Medion UltraMobile PC, which offers multiple input methods and a user interface optimized for a small form factor.

All of the new PCs are due to ship with Vista on Jan. 30.

Sitting in the audience, Microsoft Client Operating System Chief Jim Allchin told CRN that early indications from licensed customers that got Vista business editions last November are good, and he said he's not expecting any showstoppers to spoil the Jan. 30 retail launch of Vista.

"Meetings are pretty quiet in the morning," he said. "I'm happy."

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