Samsung, Microsoft form HDTV alliance

Samsung and Microsoft announced on Thursday a global marketing alliance to promote high-definition television and the upcoming new Xbox gaming console. The Xbox console will be unveiled on May 12 . The companies plan to place more than 25,000 Samsung high-definition televisions in Microsoft Xbox retail kiosk locations across the globe. The move will simultaneously show off the picture quality of HD sets and support Microsoft's efforts to move the gaming industry into the HD era.