Bill Gates has launched a series of new devices and technologies at CES 2007 including as anticipated an IPTV version of it's Xbox 360 games console.

“As the magic of software makes it easier for people to be creators, publishers and consumers of digital content, it is expanding the way we think about community and entertainment”, Gates said. “From your living room to your car, we’re delivering a wave of new software products and services that make it easier for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and share your interests.”

The main announcement was that following hot on the heels of Sony's Internet Video System, Microsoft has confirmed that it too will be offering a movie and television download service. The company, as we speculated earlier today, will offer the service via its Xbox 360 with a Microsoft TV IPTV Edition in the US.

The offering promises users the chance to watch their favourite sporting event live while chatting with their friends and recording a TV program in the background.

IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to be available to consumers by Christmas 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.

“Our goal is to make entertainment more personal, more interactive and more social”, Devices Division President Robbie Bach said.