Gates touts ''Live Anywhere'' at the E3

Gates touts ''Live Anywhere'' at the E3

LOS ANGELES - The Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles had an unexpected visitor on Tuesday in the shape of Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. And as is usual his appearance is accompanied by some sort of announcement. Gates said that Redmond was planning to extend the Xbox Live feature to computers and cell phones.

The service called "Live Anywhere," will link more than 150 million Windows users worldwide as well as 1 billion cell phone users who have a video-game ready device. Gates said Live Anywhere would be integrated into Microsoft's Windows Vista when it ships in 2007. "By opening the Xbox Live entertainment network to the entire universe of Windows and mobile gamers, we're creating unparalleled gameplay opportunities that will drive incredible growth of the online community,” Gates told reporters at the E3 expo.

Live Anywhere will debut on PCs with "Shadowrun" and versions of "Bejeweled," "Zuma" and "Hexic" will debut on Windows Mobile, Java and BREW-based handsets by the end of this year. Gates said that they expected 6 million users to be using Xbox Live by the end of next year. "This is a vision of taking 'live' to the next level," said Gates. "We're going from 'live' to 'live anywhere'"

Gates' surprise appearance at the E3 underlines the importance of the gaming industry for Microsoft. While the focus will inevitably shift to rivals Sony and Nintendo, who are on the verge of releasing PlayStation 3 and Wii respectively, Gates ensured that Xbox not only stays in the news, but also consolidates its position. He added that 160 titles would be available on the Xbox by the year-end, when 10 million customers will already have used the console.

Analysts say the even though Sony was making every effort to highlight its console, the early points were definitely with Microsoft. "There's definitely more of a strategy here emphasizing the role of the platform in the game experience which is a core Microsoft strength," said JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg. "The challenge will be doing this without losing the core gaming focus that's helped get Microsoft market share."