Microsoft planning big splash with cable-integration for Xbox later this year

Microsoft recently sold off its IPTV portfolio to Ericsson to put all its resources into the next-gen Xbox project, and it certainly looks like it could use all it has considering the ambitious plans for the Xbox TV experience. The Verge reports that Microsoft might bake in a feature in its next-generation console that would take over a TV and set-top box to overlay a Microsoft-developed UI on top of the existing service provider’s interface. While the next Xbox’s always-on connection will be used for streaming content and access to TV signals. Microsoft has implemented functionality where a cable box signal is passed to the Xbox over HDMI. This will allow the company to overlay a UI and Xbox-specific features on top of an existing TV channel or set-top box.