RIP, WebTV: Microsoft to shut down MSN TV on Sept. 30

[steve2470]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57592561-75/rip-webtv-microsoft-to-shut-down-msn-tv-on-sept-30/

Microsoft is pulling the plug on MSN TV, a service formerly known as WebTV, as Apple ramps up its set-top box efforts.

The pioneering service, one of the first to offer Internet access via television sets, will shut down September 30, Microsoft revealed in an e-mail to subscribers and an FAQ posted to its Web site. WebTV, which was founded by Web entrepreneur Steve Perlman in 1996, was acquired by Microsoft for $425 million in 1997.

WebTV offered television-based e-mail and Web browsing via wireless keyboards but struggled to gain traction with consumers. Microsoft rebranded the service as MSN TV in 2001 to accelerate integration with products such as MSN Messenger and MSN Hotmail.

The software giant even offered the interactive service for free to new MSN online service, but it has largely taken a backseat to the company's focus on the Xbox game console, which also offers Internet access.

[onehandle]

1. I had WebTV briefly in the late 90s.

I would surf the web on our TV as I ran on the treadmill at home.

Had no idea it even existed any more.

[politicat]

2. I wish they'd kept the service and improved upon it.

It was the perfect system for my grandmother, who is not technologically savvy. She needs a walled garden type environment, and a television based system was much, much better for her than a computer. She's approaching 80, and WebTV was the only environment in which she felt comfortable. (Unfortunately, when they started winding it down 6 years ago, she lost access to it, because she could only access it from her winter house, and on her income, couldn't afford to pay for two services year round.)

I'm surprised that nobody else has picked up the concept of unified internet appliance.

[Raine]

3. I loved webtv, sad that they didn't keep the technology up. The loss

will be difficult for home bound seniors.

[Xithras]

4. It's understandable.

There is a massive overlap in functionality between the Xbox and the WebTV systems, with the Xbox supporting virtually all modern video streaming systems, in addition to TV based email and web browsing. With the specs of the next Xbox demonstrating that they're trying to make it central to the home entertainment system, and not just a "video game console that also browses the Internet and downloads movies", the writing was on the wall for WebTV. It was a good system 10-15 years ago, but technology has passed it by.

[AsahinaKimi]

5. My first internet experience

Was with Web Tv. It was fun for a while, but to really be on the internet, I needed a computer. Funny how hotmail has been replaced by outlook, now also. MSN messenger is replaced by Skype. Now, this.. like the last of the dinosaurs...dropping away.

[Galraedia]

6. I have an old WebTV MAT-965 still in the box.

Not really sure what I'm going to do with it. Thinking about maybe replacing the board with an embedded single-board computer and modifying the case.

[TransitJohn]

7. Leave it in the closet for 20 years then put it on ebay.

Or recycle it.