Hello Research and Development committee members and friends.
As some of you know, the NFB passed a resolution in July 1998 regarding the
accessibility of set-top boxes for blind folks. Although the focus of the
resolution was on set-top boxes as information providing equipment for
information outside one's home, it tried to discuss the issue of
information access in general. I think the following news item speaks for
itself, but in case it doesn't, it certainly should strike home our need to
bring this issue to the fore before it's too late. It looks as though the
set-top box is moving into the television itself, and that is definitely
something we would like access to. Also, Windows CE accessibility is
something we ought to address as well. It seems to be the up and coming
thing from Microsoft's perspective, given all of the folderol regarding the
desktop version. Anyway, here's the news item. Enjoy your next RCA,
Panasonic, or Sony television set.
-Brian
MICROSOFT INSIDE (OF YOUR TV)
Thomson Multimedia, one of the largest television manufacturers in the
world, has reached an agreement with Microsoft to install its Windows CE
operating software in Thomson-owned brands such as RCA and Saba. In
exchange, Microsoft will buy a 7.5% stake in Thomson, which is owned by the
French government. Alcatel, NEC and Hughes' DirectTV also are buying a 7.5%
stake each. "We are seeding the market for interactive television," says a
Thomson executive VP. "Disney is not going to develop interactive
programming if, looking forward to 1999, there are only 200,000 people out
there with the right TV sets. You need critical mass quickly." Microsoft
has struck similar deals with Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial
Co., maker of the Panasonic brand, although those agreements did not include
investing in the Japanese companies. (Wall Street Journal 31 Jul 98)
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