It was recently reported that Microsoft is looking into purchasing tech startup R2 Studios in order to bolster its entertainment services for its Xbox market. Microsoft finally confirmed the acquisition on Thursday, providing strong evidence the tech giant is intent on making the next-gen Xbox the centerpiece of living rooms.
R2 Studios is known for its home automation systems, which Microsoft can now take full advantage of. With the help of R2 Studios, softwares could be introduced to the Xbox 720 that would allow it to control various functions around the house such as lights, heating, and more. In conjunction with SmartGlass and Illumiroom, R2 Studios can give Microsoft a powerful connectivity platform that Sony and Nintendo probably won't be able to match without some serious cash.
R2 Studios founder Blake Krikorian will now be corporate vice president for its Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) at Microsoft and report to Marc Whitten, the chief product officer for IEB. The press release from Microsoft about the R2 deal spends a large portion emphasizing how Krikorian will be contributing to the Xbox team.
"We are thrilled to have Blake join the Xbox team," Whitten said. "He's a proven innovator and well-respected leader in both the media and technology industries, having created simple, elegant products that have transformed the way people engage with and consume content. We look forward to his contribution to our team as Xbox continues to evolve and transform the games and entertainment landscape."
Krikorian, who also helped found the popular content service Slingbox, is also excited to bring his knowledge of entertainment and connectivity to Microsoft.
"I am excited to join Microsoft and be a part of the Xbox team. As a 10-year Xbox LIVE subscriber, I have seen firsthand how Xbox has delighted us by reinventing how consumers experience games and entertainment," he said.
"I look forward to helping the team define the future of entertainment and contribute to the next decade of continued innovation."
Microsoft has not released any details on how exactly R2 Studios will be contributing to the Xbox 720, but you can bet it will have to do with streaming and possibly some kind of cloud-based interface.