Microsoft recently shipped the Mediaroom Beta. If you haven't heard of it you can check out more here.

Press release.

This week, Microsoft released the Beta version of its Microsoft Mediaroom Presentation Framework to nearly 150 companies globally including content providers, application developers and its service provider customers such as AT&T and BT.

The Presentation Framework Beta will let service providers quickly and cost effectively build and deploy rich IPTV-based services and applications, themselves or with third parties, that allow for the seamless blending of a show’s broadcast and web elements. Service providers can repurpose and leverage content already available on the Web, which can save all parties involved time and money. Applications could include a personal media portal on the TV, real time social and communication capabilities, or news/sports applications featuring multiple camera views.

The possibilities are endless, which makes the release of these tools a critical milestone for the IPTV industry and promises to be a catalyst that stimulates great innovation that will enable IPTV providers to substantially differentiate their services from cable and satellite offerings over time.

This announcement further positions Microsoft and its partners as drivers of TV innovation.

Source:→ Josh's Weblog