Microsoft released a press release stating [URL="http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20061012/SFTH05712102006-1.html"]Windows Vista-Ready Products are being prepared for the holiday[/URL].
NEW YORK, Oct. 12 --Today at Digital Life 2006, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) announcedthe holiday availability of PCs, software, hardware and games that willwork with Windows Vista(TM). More than 250 hardware and softwareproducts from over 50 industry partners have received either theCertified for Windows Vista logo or the Works with Windows Vista logocreated to help consumers more easily identify software and devicesthat are compatible with the new operating system. The Works withWindows Vista logo helps ensure compatibility, and the Certified forWindows Vista logo indicates that a particular software or device willhelp deliver a superior end-user experience when used with a PC runninga Windows Vista operating system.
During his opening keynote address, Mike Sievert, corporate vicepresident of Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft, emphasized thebreadth of products on the market come the holidays that will work withWindows Vista. "We are thrilled that so many of our industry partnersare working with us to bring Certified for Windows Vista software anddevices to market this holiday season," said Sievert. "Thiscertification helps ensure our customers will have a great experiencewith these products now, and an even better one when they are usingthem with Windows Vista. These products will make a great gift for theholidays that gets better with Windows Vista."
All the products shown in Sievert's keynote are undergoing the logotesting process, and all will be available this holiday season,including NVIDIA GeForce(R) graphics cards; Logitech's Cordless DesktopMX 3200 Laser(R), MX Revolution Mouse(R), ChillStream game pad(R) andQuickCam Ultra Vision(R); and the InterVideo(R) WinDVD(R) and WinDVDCreator(R). These products represent a sampling of the many devices andapplications Microsoft's partners are releasing today and in the comingmonths that take advantage of new features like improved graphics,increased stability and enhanced security in Windows Vista.
Windows Vista -- The Growing Ecosystem
Since the availability of the Windows Vista Release Candidate 1(RC1) early last month, products from companies such as ATITechnologies Inc., Canon Inc., Logitech and NVIDIA Corp. have qualifiedfor the Certified for Windows Vista logo, and many others have begunthe process. Products from Attachmate Corp., Belkin Corp., Buffalo,Computer Associates Inc., Corel Corp., D-Link Systems Inc., Epson,Fujifilm, Hauppage Computer Works Inc., HP, Lexmark, Logitech,Microsoft Hardware, Microsoft Office, NetPro Computing Inc., Nero AG,Olympus, Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd., SanDisk Corp., SeagateTechnology Inc., Symantec Corp., Trend Micro Inc., Viewsonic Corp.,Workshare Inc., Yahoo! Inc. and other companies are expected to aWindows Vista logo within the Windows Vista launch time frame, furthercontributing to the growing Windows Vista ecosystem. Throughout theirproduct development process, Microsoft has collaborated withindependent hardware and software vendors, ensuring not only that theproducts support a high level of compatibility, but also that theproducts coming to market now and over the next several months willtake advantage of exciting new features in Windows Vista.
HP is one of the companies pursuing approval for the Certified forWindows Vista logo for a variety of products. "Just as we did with thelaunch of Windows(R) XP, HP has worked closely with Microsoft to ensureour imaging and printing products take full advantage of thecapabilities of Windows Vista," said Greg Wallace, senior vicepresident of marketing for the Imaging and Printing Group at HP. "HPwill be a top provider of products ready for Windows Vista, offeringmore than 450 compatible imaging and printing products once WindowsVista is available on the market."
Also carrying the Certified for Windows Vista logo will be NVIDIAGeForce Graphic Processing Units (GPUs), which enable features inWindows Vista such as Windows Aero(TM) and Flip-3D.(1) "NVIDIA GeForcegraphics cards underwent thorough testing to attain the Certified forWindows Vista logo," said Ujesh Desai, general manager of desktop GPUsat NVIDIA. "It was the commitment to quality testing that attracted usto the program. People can be confident that any products carrying thelogo will provide a top-notch experience with their PCs running aWindows Vista operating system."
Partners are drawn to the logo program as a means of helpingconsumers find products that are designed to work well with WindowsVista. "With Windows Vista arriving in the new year, we're eager toprovide people with new, exciting technologies that will workseamlessly with the new operating system," said Steve Ro, CEO ofInterVideo. "We're thrilled to be a part of this program. When peoplelook for software like ours this fall, they'll look for the Certifiedfor Windows Vista logo. InterVideo would like to promise that we willhave all our software certified to carry the logo so as to ensure asuperior multimedia experience on Windows Vista PCs." InterVideo'sWinDVD Creator offers a full range of video and DVD editing features,helping people to enjoy and share their home videos and photos withWindows Vista.
Getting Consumers Ready for Windows Vista Now
In addition to the Windows Vista logo program, Microsoft is takingsteps to ensure that consumers can buy PCs now that will be ready forthe launch of Windows Vista. PCs capable of supporting Windows Vistabear the Windows Vista Capable logo.(2) Consumers can feel confident inpurchases they make today due to the broad availability of WindowsVista Capable PCs that are capable of running Windows Vista HomePremium Edition, identified as Premium Ready PCs.
Consumers also can now purchase new PC games that offer exceptionalcompatibility with Windows Vista as well as Windows XP. Games thatcarry the Games for Windows logo must meet certain requirements, suchas the ability to work with x64 versions of Windows Vista and supportthe Windows Vista Games Explorer function. Games that feature this logoand will be available for purchase this holiday season include "Companyof Heroes," "LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy" and "MicrosoftFlight Simulator X."
In addition to these products available at retail, two Windows Vistafeatures, Microsoft Internet Explorer(R) 7 and Windows Media(R) Player11, will be made available in the coming weeks. Windows XP users areencouraged to try the features to get familiar with and excited aboutthese programs now, which will be included in Windows Vista. InternetExplorer 7 will be made available to Windows XP customers via freedownload in the next two weeks. Microsoft encourages all Windows XPusers to download the new version to explore the browsing experience inWindows Vista and take advantage of the new security features that willhelp protect them against malicious software and phishing attacks.Windows Media Player 11 will be available via free download beginningOct. 24 and will enable users to take advantage of an elegant andintuitive user interface, a new level of online store integration,especially with MTV's URGE service, and improved navigation for largermusic libraries.
With Windows Vista, for the first time products are eligible foreither a Certified for Windows Vista or a Works with Windows Vistalogo. All software and devices with the Certified for Windows Vistalogo have been tested to meet high-quality standards and deliver asuperior end-user experience when used with a PC running a WindowsVista operating system. This logo is reserved for products that meetspecific technical requirements and support features in Windows Vistasuch as XML Paper Specification (XPS) printing, Media Transfer Protocoland Windows Aero, enabling new technologies that provide optimalexperiences with Windows Vista. With over two-thirds of consumersreporting that such certification is an important factor in purchasingsoftware and hardware, achieving logo certification provides partnerswith a valuable way to differentiate their products in the market. Inaddition, these certified products stand to benefit from Microsoft'smarketing and product-support efforts. The Works with Windows Vistalogo ensures compatibility with Windows Vista.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software,services and solutions that help people and businesses realize theirfull potential.
(1) Windows Aero, Flip-3D navigation, Enhanced Backup and Restore and Tablet PC support are available in Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate. (2) Not all Windows Vista features will be available for use on all Windows Vista Capable PCs. All Windows Vista Capable PCs upgraded to Windows Vista will be able to run the core experiences of Windows Vista, such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security and reliability. Some features available in premium editions of Windows Vista -- such as the new Windows Aero user interface -- require advanced or additional hardware. Visit [URL="http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20061012/SFTH05712102006-1.html#"]http://www.windowsvista.com/getready[/URL] for details.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows Vista, Windows, Aero, Internet Explorer andWindows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks ofMicrosoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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