Microsoft's (MSFT) releases new media extenders

Microsoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSFT) continues to churn out products that are meant to bridge the divide between PC media and living room entertainment viewing (and listening). In the latest edition, the software giant has released new "media extenders" that up the ante in terms of getting content -- in all those dozens for formats -- off your PC and onto the TV.

Microsoft has had this technology since the days of Windows XP Media Center Edition. The media sending functionality is now built directly into Windows Vista Premium and Ultimate editions, and lets customers with appropriate hardware (slim TV set-top boxes) stream content from that PC to a connected television. Newer boxes, expected by Microsoft to be released by various hardware makers within a few months, will even stream protected high-definition content from PC to TV. Sounds great! Have we arrived to the connected home, where all digital content can be shared to any device, anywhere? As far as Microsoft goes, I'll reserve judgment until I see these new devices in action.

One thing stands clear is that the sheer amount of video formats, audio formats, wireless hardware streaming boxes and all the other dozens of variables is confusing to the majority of customers this entire ecosystem is intended for. Although it is a closed digital ecosystem, the ease-of-use of the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) AppleTV probably won't be matched by Microsoft's good intentions here.

If customers cannot buy the product, take it home, plug a few cables in and make things work, all these devices will never become best sellers. It's a problem Microsoft has constantly faced, even as it has made its part (the software) very simplistic to use. It relies on so many differing hardware manufacturers for everything else. Apple controls the whole environment when it comes to its product, and it has made the process almost 100% foolproof. As new media technologies become more complex, customers require less installation and usability complexity. We're still not there yet.