Rumors have begun surfacing around the Internet that the next generation of Windows Media Center (currently codenamed 'Fiji') has finally begun the initial round of beta testing.  There has not been much said in the way of details to the extent of the beta but one can surmise that this initiative was launched from the call for volunteers via Microsoft's Connect beta-tester site last spring.

The successor to Windows Vista is hinted to be released some time in 2010, but 'Fiji' is apparently intended to be a stepping stone that is meant to update the existing MCE with updates that did not make it into the latest Service Pack.  One update is rumored to include support for the upcoming DIRECTV tuner.