Microsoft is revising last year’s vision for the PC of
the future with the help of HP .
The two tech companies are again presenting their Windows Home Concept PC
at Microsoft’s annual Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) this week in
Washington. As previously
reported, their goal is to show how emerging technologies can shorten the feedback
loop between software and hardware.
Building on last year’s Athens concept PC, Microsoft Chairman and Chief
Software Architect Bill Gates is scheduled to highlight the latest
prototype — code-named Troy — and how it fits into his vision of a “seamless
computing experience.” The company is also planning on distributing its
Windows Longhorn developer preview code for device manufacturers to begin
development of native Windows Longhorn device drivers.
The prototype is pretty forward looking considering some of the
interconnect technology is still in the development stage. Also, it runs on Microsoft
Windows Longhorn, which is not due out until 2006.
But according to HP’s development group, the desktop model of the future could already benefit
from current technologies, including Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP)
devices like stereos, televisions and DVD players.
Similar to the Athens, Troy features a 23-inch, high-density LCD display,
a console with a handset cradle and Bluetooth transceiver that allows for
connections between drives, as well as a rechargeable wireless keyboard (it
recharges on the base), wireless mouse, and a cordless phone directly
integrated with the machine.
The console includes sensory technology that knows when you are sitting in
front of it and takes advantage of low-power technology in both the chip and
systems levels. The demonstration of the prototype is expected to show how
VoIP software in Troy can identify callers with Caller ID, while
simultaneously pulling up any background information on the caller stored on
the machine or online, and all e-mails in the user’s inbox from the caller.
The user can also take notes, which are stored on the computer’s schedule,
and the machine will mark the call on the calendar. The computer can also be
set to mute music when a call comes in, and set an instant messaging client
status to “On the Phone,” or automatically forward a call to another phone.
The updated version will include end-user features, such as the latest
DirectX application programming interface
Windows Movie Maker 2, Windows Messenger and Windows Media Player.
Microsoft is also throwing in its latest release of Visual Studio .NET
2003 and the .NET Framework, which it said helps developers
use their existing tools.
An HP spokesperson told internetnews.com that a version of the
prototype, code-named Sparta, is currently being tested as an enterprise
version of the home set and should come to market before Troy.
“What we are looking at first are medium and large companies and perhaps
down the line this will also be attractive to smaller businesses as well,”
HP Product Engineering Manager for PCs Kent Biggs told
internetnews.com. “It’s really for those looking to improve their
network experience, such as a call center or companies that have a
geographically challenged workforce with employees that are moving to
telecommuting.”
As part of the concept PC showcase, Microsoft is expected to demonstrate
an HP printer connecting to a Windows-based PC using the new Web services
discovery protocol (MSDWSP). Co-authored by Intel,
Microsoft and printer companies Lexmark and Ricoh, the spec
helps various devices support Web services. Microsoft said the next step for
the Devices Profile is to propose it to the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
Forum for consideration as the basis for the UPnP 2.0 Device Architecture.
Gates is also expected to highlight Microsoft’s Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
for 64-Bit Extended Systems such as AMD’s Athlon and Opteron, as well as
Intel Extended Memory 64 technology.
In a prepared statement, the company
said it would not be releasing those drivers until the fourth quarter of
2004. But the software vendor said its Driver Development Kit and
enhancements, including support for Visual Studio .NET 2003 and the Microsoft
.NET Framework 1.1, are all being distributed starting this week.
