Microsoft TV IPTV Edition becomes Mediaroom

Microsoft has given its awkwardly named TV IPTV Edition a slicker name: Mediaroom. This isn't something you can download and install on your home computer. Rather, it's a platform for television service companies that want to provide internet-based television services.

Along with the name change, Microsoft has introduced a series of new features including:

• Enhanced picture in picture support allows you to view multiple channels or different camera angles, with support for up to 16 separate picture windows on one TV screen.
• View pictures or listen to music stored on a PC connected to the home network
• Microsoft has opened up the platform for development of 3rd party applications with a new HTML-based Multimedia Application Environment

Ten service companies around the world, including AT&T, BT, and Deutsche Telekom are using Microsoft's current IPTV platform.