Subscribers to BT’s broadband services will be able to use the Microsoft Xbox 360 to access the access the BT Vision video-on-demand service. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and Robbie Bach, president of the Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division made the announcement during the keynote address at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas.
The Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) platform is already an integral part of the BT Vision service with the new facility expected to be made available in the middle of 2008. Customers with the console will be able to receive BT Vision content either through the Xbox or the regular BT Vision ‘V-box’
Xbox functionality adds community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.