According to the , the set-top version of Microsoft's OS will offer media-streaming and remote-control features. It's designed to compete with similar Internet-to-TV gear including , , and . The Microsoft set-top platform will use the interface, a tried-and-true entertainment UI that's been lurking on most PCs since the Windows XP days.

It's unclear whether Microsoft will name its set-top software "Windows TV." But given Redmond's recent marketing moves in the smartphone market-namely slapping the clunky "Windows Phone 7" moniker on its new mobile OS--there's a good chance it will.

And that's a bad idea. Sure, "Windows TV" may be short and sweet, but Microsoft is quite capable of gumming things up by enhancing the name. How does "Windows Series Media Center 7" sound? Or "Windows TV 7 Series with Web Streaming TV?"

Besides, the "Windows" brand has developed a drab, businesslike image over the years. It's all wrong for the living room. It's not fun. It conjures up images of laptops, desktops, and productivity suites. Think about it: How many Windows users even know that Media Center resides on their PCs? Not many, I'm sure.

My humble suggestion: If Windows TV does exist, let Microsoft's entertainment division--the clever folks responsible for Xbox and Kinect--come up with a name. After all, their track record is excellent in the home market. And I suspect they'd avoid "Windows" at all costs.