AT&T is forging ahead to become the go to connectivity provider for the new generation of smart solutions. The company today opened another AT&T Foundry innovation center, this time in Atlanta. According to AT&T this one is a launching pad for innovations in their Digital Life services, connected car and home entertainment platforms.
Microsoft behind the scene has been studying and researching different features of the future connected home. Through its Microsoft Connected Home research centre they have been developing a number of products and services for the home of the future. In addition to fancy gadgets and digital lifestyle services they have been researching the idea of developing an operating system (OS) strictly for the home; dubbed the HomeOS. According to Microsoft the HomeOS will “simplify the management fo home networks and the development of applications” for the connected home. To accomplish it will provide a central point to manage, configure and secure you home network.
The features discussed during the unveiling of game consoles usually based around speed, graphics quality and general performance. Microsoft yesterday unveils it next game console – Xbox One but unlike before the tone was different and features discussed were softer and circle more around entertainment via the web. A look closer and it seems that Xbox One will eclipse the need for a set-top box in the home.
With the global IPTV market predicted to grow in revenue to $105 Billion (US) between now and 2015, Ericsson have move to become the number on IPTV provider by acquiring Microsoft Mediaroon platform. The acquisition according to Microsoft will give them room to concentrate on developing their Xbox platform even further.
Microsoft has widened the functionality of its Xbox platform with the introduction of Xbox SmartGlass. The new platform and update will allow the Xbox 360 to connect to your PCs, Phones and Tablets and show content. According to Microsoft SmartGlass will make “entertainment more engaging, web surfing more effortless and playing games more immersive”, by delivering companion content and control to enhance a TV experience.
In March, Microsoft launched its new look Windows 8 operating system, now they have decided to enhance the sound quality with Dolby Digital Plus. According to Dolby Laboratories, its Dolby Digital Plus was selected by Microsoft for the upcoming Windows 8 tablets and PCs. All PCs and tablets licensed to run Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT editions will be able to enjoy Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 channel and Dolby Digital two channel encoding.
The Microsoft and OSIsoft Worldwide Utility Industry Survey 2012, released today shows a 25 percent increase over last year in the number of utilities companies that have implemented smart-grid technology. The survey also shows that 28 percent of companies surveyed are in the planning phase, but 24 percent still have not started adopting any smart-grid technology. However, 63 percent of participants expect their budgets for these technologies to increase over the next two or three years.
For a while Google and Microsoft were encouraging utilities and consumer to get connected through their solutions to learn more about their energy use. Google launched the Google PowerMeter through it iGoogle platform, Microsoft launched Microsoft Hohm and Cisco launched the Home Energy Controller gadgets and software. They all promised information at our finger tips so we can make more informed decisions on how we use our home energy.
I have read mix opinions on the recent acquisition of Skype by Microsoft, for about $8.5 billion. Some thinks it’s a waist of money and believe it could be better spent on some of Microsoft own systems and strategies. Others said why buy Skype when they [Microsoft] already have a Lync, their own unified communication platform. From a connected home point of view, I personally think a lot can come out of this acquisition and marriage of technologies based on the direction I see the market going.
The connected home is slowly becoming a reality for many of us and many businesses are positioning themselves to take advantage of this lucrative market. Among the many businesses is Microsoft; quietly and behind the scene they have been working on solutions, that according them we will be using in the next 3 to 15 years. These do not include the Windows operating system or Microsoft Office software but devices and software that we take around with us and appliances that we use in our homes.