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Microsoft Gaming Patents — Where They're Going
An anonymous reader writes "BNET looked at some patents which suggest that Microsoft might be thinking about an integrated game console/set-top box. Quoting: 'Patent 20080167128 is for watching television on a game console, while patent 20080167127 covers switching a gaming console between various media, including television, video, music, and games, and even using the console as a set-top box. Clearly Microsoft has been interested in controlling the living room, and combining media, gaming, and set-top functions in a single device would make a great deal of sense.' There are also hints of mobile gaming that support the current round of rumors about a combination Xbox-Zune. "
Wasn't Microsoft working on this a while ago. There were going to add IP-TV functionality with a DVR to the 360. I was really looking forward to it but as far as I remember it was never actually released.
How can you award a patent for something so ambiguous?
Dude I think a 'multimedia PC' (computer with CDROM or one that can play video) from the 1990's is enough to qualify as prior art here.
Furthermore what about the old computers that plugged into the TV? They were a do-everything device for the telly equipped with:
* A media drive that handled music (cassette tape),
* They downloaded new media (modem),
* AND did video in various crazy analogue ways (tv tuner).
Whats the harm in yelling 'Computer, end program!'? You could be living in Star Trek! Go on.. give it a try.