Microsoft really took a step back from competing with Ballmer at the helm. Part of it relates to the problem where the company couldn’t really leverage its monopolistic powers across different market segments to gain an advantage.
There is an alternate reality where, unburdened by worries of vertical integration, Microsoft leverages its tech with TiVo, XBox, and Zune to build out an XBox capable of playing some in-demand video. I expect this includes Viacom’s library, which was experimenting with offering its first run shows online.
I can see that Microsoft persuading Viacom to give the XBox exclusive console access, either by getting bought out or an independent guarantee. This, combined with its Netflix streaming, pushes the XBox beyond being a console to something more.
The XBox has always been a play by Microsoft to keep one toe into the console space to keep the pipeline between console and PC games open.
The problem for Microsoft right now is that it isn’t making money on being in either space.
Except when it was more pivoted to be a living room media device for a time
There was an age where Microsoft was trying to do that as well; it failed miserably.
I partially blame the anti-trust settlement preventing Microsoft from being more aggressive.
Your solution to Microsoft not doing well is more monopoly??? Also yes that is what I was referring to.
Microsoft really took a step back from competing with Ballmer at the helm. Part of it relates to the problem where the company couldn’t really leverage its monopolistic powers across different market segments to gain an advantage.
There is an alternate reality where, unburdened by worries of vertical integration, Microsoft leverages its tech with TiVo, XBox, and Zune to build out an XBox capable of playing some in-demand video. I expect this includes Viacom’s library, which was experimenting with offering its first run shows online.
I can see that Microsoft persuading Viacom to give the XBox exclusive console access, either by getting bought out or an independent guarantee. This, combined with its Netflix streaming, pushes the XBox beyond being a console to something more.