"Microsoft Corp and a major Chinese TV set maker announced that they will jointly develop entertainment products linking television and the Internet, joining a race to profit from the Web"s growing status as a channel to distribute movies and other programs."

This tidbit went largely unnoticed yesterday, which I found strange. I saw the headline in today"s remainders of press-wire stuff and immediately it made me wonder what Microsoft could be up to. The article itself talks about the two companies working together to develop connected entertainment applications, and it seemed to hint that these may be focused on the Chinese market. Either way, I found the investment in a hardware company interesting and if I may, I"ll take a few stabs and potential larger meaning...