Developers may be interested in the Microsoft Media Application Development toolkit, which lets them create third-party applications to create revenue-sharing TV-based applications that run on the platform.

The platform was built upon existing Microsoft IPTV features, such as digital video recording, video on demand, high-definition television, and instant channel "zapping."

Mediaroom, renamed from the more generic Microsoft IPTV, adds:

Personal media sharing, which allows consumers to listen to digital music and view digital photographs stored on PCs elsewhere in the home on the television.

Multimedia Application Environment, which offers support for Web services and applications, enabling service providers to deploy features such as video-on-demand portals, casual games and interactive TV services.

Enhanced MultiView capabilities, which allow consumers to see multiple channels, programs and camera angles on one screen.

“As the digital TV services market continues to grow, service providers will search for competitive differentiators that set them apart in terms of features and overall consumer experience,” said Michelle Abraham, principal analyst at In-Stat, in a statement.

“A compelling and competitive feature set, powered by one of the strongest consumer brands in the world and the ability to create unique applications and services, is the recipe to convert consumers’ demand into service revenues.”

Microsoft has deals worked out with 18 service providers, with 10 of them already offering Mediaroom. The catch is, that’s about one service provider per country.

In the US, that means you have to go through AT&T’s U-verse, so just like with the iPhone, you have only one choice of provider, which probably means it won’t be affordable to the general population for some time. 

That’s what happened this morning on the IABC website as I was reviewing information there about the 2006 International Conference which takes place in Vancouver in June (I’m speaking at that event; a post about it soon).

In the Updates section on the home page, there’s a link to the new IABC News Centre, a media resource with the latest news and information about IABC’s programmes and leaders (it says).

The new resource uses PR Newswire’s MediaRoom tool, providing a dedicated section with detailed information such as contact details, news releases, photos, logos, backgrounders, bios, white papers, etc. All the things journalists – and interetsed IABC members – need to get that accurate and rounded picture of what IABC is and what it does.

This is a very long overdue, and very welcome, addition to the IABC website which itself was relaunched in October. Finally a dedicated place to get the news and information about IABC and its activities. The News Centre is being managed by IABC headquarters staffer Joseph Ugalde, who’s in charge of marketing and communication for the association. Yesterday’s official press release here.

The best news, though, is that the site offers six RSS feeds where you can sign up to get all press releases and information including about the International Conference, the Gold Quill Awards and the IABC Foundation.

No more hunting and pecking for accurate news (the old info page really was dreadful).

I sense the hand of some willing and skilled member volunteers as part of making the News Centre happen especially Shel Holtz, my podcasting partner, who in one of our recent shows (can’t recall which) alluded to some new things coming soon to the IABC website.

Great move, IABC.

Neville Hobson is the author of the popular NevilleHobson.com blog which focuses on business communication and technology.

Neville is currentlly the VP of New Marketing at Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson’s blog: NevilleHobson.com.