Star Trek style software

Bill Gates has unveiled a technology that will be instantly recognisable to Star Trek fans.

It is one of two software developments aimed at converting the home computer into a single home entertainment centre.

Addressing the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas the Microsoft president announced two projects designed around the company's new Windows XP operating system, part of a strategy to bring together the burgeoning array of high technology boxes - computers, TVs, games consoles and mobile phones.

The first, called Mira, will be familiar to Star Trek viewers. It is software for a wireless, touch screen flatpanel display, which can be carried around the house like a writing tablet, while still communicating wirelessly with the computer.

Companies such as Intel were working on creating products based on Mira that would be out within 12 months, he said.

Freestyle is software that will allow users to record the recording and playing of music and video - with a tuner card - or see pictures stored on the PC through any screen. "You will be able to use your PC without having to sit at your keyboard, but instead using a remote control," Mr Gates added. "You can watch TV on one screen and receive email through another screen. Once material is on the PC, you can play it on any screen - TV, PC monitor or anywhere else."

This would turn the PC into an "entertainment command centre" that will rival digital video recorders like the Tivo.