> Microsoft will reportedly announce a new Windows-based $200 set-top box using Windows Media Center as its primary interface, according to the [
> *Seattle Times*
> ](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013824940_brier03.html). The company, which has been trying to put a Windows box in living rooms for more than 10 years with little success, is expected to make the announcement during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
via [macworld.com](http://www.macworld.com/article/156842/2011/01/microsoft_set_top.html?lsrc=rss_main)
I can’t believe that Microsoft’s strategy this year is going to be a box running Windows. Again.
When is someone going to fire Ballmer?
And the comparison here shouldn’t be Microsoft TV vs. Google TV. Both products are DOA. The set-top box battle is closer to Roku vs. Apple TV, but even in that case it’s way too early for anyone to have full success with this kind of product.
Jobs wasn’t wrong when he said that this category is never going to be a blockbuster market until someone kills the cable companies. That’s not going to be easy. And whoever does it is either going to have to partner with or buy Netflix.
