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To: Scott Lerner who wrote (4131)	1/21/1998 4:02:00 PM
From: Paul Sandhu	Respond to of 6570

Highligts from todays MSNBC, something to think about. IF SUCCESSFUL, MOTOROLA would dramatically alter conventional wisdom about what the next generation of set-top boxes should contain. Today, most cable executives expect the boxes to offer an array of services including Internet access and video-on-demand. But few have yet articulated a vision that would merge the functions of a set-top box, a DVD player and a game console all in one appliance. ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ"We're working with set-top players to have such a platform available by summer," says Roger Kozlowski, vice president and technical director for Motorola's Semiconductor Products unit. "Is it something that could be brought into the market for a test in late 1998, early 1999? Yes." Electronic program guides E-mail services Web browsing Interactive games Online shopping Sports scores on demand Sports video highlights on demand Local weather info School homework Movies on demand ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿMotorola's project Blackbird is significant for several reasons. To begin with, the existence of such a "reference design" indicates that the production of set tops with so many functions may be possible for an acceptable price. At below $400, the box would be more expensive than the $300 benchmark cable companies have been shooting for, but close enough for them to consider it. ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿBut exactly what sort of game console Motorola has in mind for the set-top box it has designed isn't clear. Motorola's Kozlowski, in an interview with MSNBC, said Motorola has developed a gaming format with another company. But he would neither elaborate on the details nor identify the other company.