Microsoft has shipped Dolby technology for playing surround sound DVDs in Windows since 2007. According to Dolby's 2010 financial statements (PDF here), last year Windows licensing made up 12% of the company's revenue, up from 10% in 2008 and 2009.
So why strip Dolby surround sound support out of Windows 8?
Microsoft had no comment, but it's probably because Microsoft has found that pushing the PC as a home entertainment device didn't help Windows sales. If PC makers want to make high-end computers that connect to surround-sound audio systems, that's fine -- let them license Dolby's technology directly.
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