While Nintendo is busy backing their decision to cease development on the Wii Vitality Sensor Microsoft is officially canceling MSN TV, the internet-over-television service (introduced as WebTV) acquired in 1997. The announcement came today via email to MSN TV subscribers and in an online FAQ . The statement claims the service was intended to "bring new people 'online'" and since the internet has "continued to evolve at a breathtaking pace, and there are many new ways to access" it, MSN TV is simply no longer relevant.
Relevancy is especially important when considering the success Microsoft has had with their internet-connected entertainment console, the Xbox 360, and their preparation for its successor's release (the Xbox One) later this year. Both of these devices are fully capable of accessing the internet with the Internet Explorer app and Bing web search integration built in. One of their biggest competitors, Apple, is continuing to grow their set-top Apple TV service as reported dealings with Time Warner Cable could potentially offer dozens of new channels to subscribers.
MSN TV will go offline for good on September 30, so Microsoft recommends making sure any photos hosted by the service are backed up. The company does not want the old set-top boxes returned, but rather encourages those with them to recycle them responsibly or to continue using them as a means to access videos or music from a PC.
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