Download Squad has the scoop on the public beta of MSN News for Windows Vista Media Center. The new application lets users browse, search and watch videos from MSNBC News on their Microsoft Media Center devices. While some MSNBC content has been accessible in the Internet TV area, this menu provides a user interface that makes it easier to browse stories, weather forecasts and search for videos by topic and related videos. No need to download anything – it’s already there in your VMC TV+Movies menu.
For media centers (HTPCs and other devices like extenders) to successfully compete for space by the television, they’ll need to continue down this road of online video. Network & cable TV content, Hulu, Netflix Watch Now and others need to be brought into the fold like this MSN News application to take on TiVo and other CE devices of the world.
Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.
I totally agree. Why don’t all the studios who already put their content online (network sites, Hulu, etc.) just write VMC plug-ins? I’ll live with ads if I can watch all the shows on-demand (and in HD!).
Wow, the only reason I subscribe to digital cable now is to get Fox News and MSNBC. Otherwise I get all my HD OTA. If I could get MSNBC and Fox through Windows Media Center here in Canada (another hurdle of course) my cable company would be loosing a lot of money going forward.
…Dale