Apple, Microsoft have designs on your living room

Almost as interesting as the format wars is the raging battle between Microsoft and Apple. It is more of a propaganda war at this point. Both sides are touting Howitzers and in all reality both are coming to battle with pea shooters. This article from c|net is their take on Microsoft's Home Media Server and Apple's TV products. Neither are revolutionary but are steps in the right direction.

From the article:

Beyond the new home server product, Microsoft has been pitching its Media Center entertainment PC notion. It has also been expanding the role of the Xbox console beyond games into movies and, last week, into Internet Protocol-based television.

Apple, meanwhile, has dominated the mobile device market with the iPod, and it has sold millions of downloads of TV shows primarily for viewing on the media player. With the Apple TV box, it gains a much-needed gateway to the television.