Good opening keynote today. It was a lot of eye candy focusing on the beyond the browser scenario. Some very cool WPF applications where shown to demonstrate the value of rich client experiences in a Internet context. The main thrust was with creating magazine-like content that could be both interactive and offline for portability. Some cool immersive advertising stuff that was not obtrusive but was very engaging if you looked at it.

Some stuff on mobile devices but nothing earth shattering there. More of what MSFT has demoed recently. They did spend a lot of time on Media Center PCs and on XBOX/Media Extenders. Didnt realize it, but 60%+ of PCs now sold at retail (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) are Media Center PCs. They showed delivering custom 10ft UIs to Media Center PCs that were very cool. Comedy Central was one called MotherLoad (also as a web client) that was pretty cool.

They also talked briefly on futures and how things are going to get much better with Vista. Direct HD cable TV support (no more cable box hassles) and for me, more importantly, the deal with DirecTV so integrate with Media Center capabilities. I cant wait to get more details on that since I am pissed a bit over the whole Tivo 250 HD future MPEG4 support fiasco but dont want to give up my DirecTV and go to Comcast which has yet to add ABC HD to the local lineup. Unreal!