MSN TV

WebTV Launch Units

MSN TV (originally known as WebTV) was a web access product consisting of a set-top box and keyboard, allowing users to browse the internet and use email from their television sets. Launched in 1996 by WebTV Networks, Inc., it was a pioneering service that aimed to bring the internet to the living room, an ambition that was quite forward-thinking at the time. MSN TV was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and rebranded as MSN TV in 2001, integrating it more closely with Microsoft's MSN web portal and services.

History

The concept of WebTV was developed by Steve Perlman, Bruce Leak, and Phil Goldman, who founded WebTV Networks, Inc. in 1995. The service was launched in September 1996, offering users a simple and affordable means of accessing the internet without needing a personal computer. WebTV utilized a dial-up connection to provide internet access and email capabilities, which were revolutionary for users who did not own a PC or were intimidated by the complexity of early internet access.

In 1997, Microsoft saw the potential in WebTV and acquired the company for approximately $425 million, marking one of its early forays into the living room and consumer internet services. Under Microsoft, the service was rebranded as MSN TV in 2001, aligning it with the MSN family of services. This rebranding also came with upgrades to the service, including faster processors in the set-top boxes and improved software to enhance the user experience.

Features

MSN TV's set-top box connected to a user's television and phone line, providing a gateway to the internet. The service offered a range of features, including:

• Web browsing: Users could visit websites, conduct searches, and perform many of the same activities they would on a PC.
• Email: MSN TV provided an email service, allowing users to send and receive emails.
• Online content: The service offered access to a curated selection of online content, including news, weather, and entertainment, tailored for the TV screen.

Decline and Shutdown

Despite its initial promise, MSN TV faced several challenges. The rise of broadband internet, the decreasing cost of personal computers, and the advent of smartphones and tablets with internet capabilities gradually eroded the need for a separate internet TV device. As technology advanced, the limitations of MSN TV, such as its reliance on dial-up and its inability to display complex websites properly, became more apparent.

Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the MSN TV service in July 2013, and the service was officially shut down on September 30, 2013. The shutdown marked the end of an era for one of the first attempts to bring the internet to the television.

Legacy

MSN TV played a significant role in the history of internet access, demonstrating the potential for web browsing outside the traditional PC environment. It paved the way for future technologies that integrate internet access with television, such as smart TVs, streaming devices, and game consoles with web capabilities. MSN TV's legacy is seen in the continued evolution of how we access and consume digital content in our living rooms.

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