Microsoft unveils wave of new products

Bill Gates and Robbie Bach hit play on new releases from Windows Vista, Xbox 360, Microsoft TV and more.

Speaking at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division President Robbie Bach showed how the company is delivering a new generation of connected experiences that are inspired by the universal desire to create community and share interests and passions with friends and family.

Gates and Bach announced several new products and services that include new Windows Vista-inspired PCs, never-before-seen Windows Vista features, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-enabled Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and a new partnership with Ford Motor Co that will extend digital experiences to the car.

The company also unveiled Microsoft Windows Home Server, which provides a central place to help store, protect and access all the digital content in the home.

"As the magic of software makes it easier for people to be creators, publishers and consumers of digital content, it is expanding the way we think about community and entertainment," Gates said.

"From your living room to your car, we're delivering a wave of new software products and services that make it easier for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and share your interests".

With less than a month to go until the Jan 30 consumer launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, thousands of PC manufacturers and system builders across the globe are preparing to deliver new PCs designed to run the new versions of Microsoft's flagship Windows and Office products.

By Jan 30, more than 1.5 million devices will work with Windows Vista and more than 2,000 products will be Certified for Windows Vista, helping to make Internet and networking connections, home entertainment and business tasks faster, easier and more secure than ever.

As a part of his keynote address, Gates provided a first look at a number of Windows Vista features and announced several new content partnerships that will enable people to explore their interests and express their creativity with greater freedom than ever.

For example, Windows DreamScene, available to Windows Ultimate customers through Windows Ultimate Extras, transforms the PC desktop from static background wallpaper into a full-motion, personalised video canvas.

Windows Media centre SportsLounge in conjunction with FOXSports.com seamlessly combines live television, real-time scores and online sports media to keep people close to their favourite games, teams and players.

Premium versions of Windows Vista will also offer brand-new content from existing partners and new ones, including, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz.

Gates also unveiled a series of exciting new Windows Vista-powered PCs that ranged from innovative desktop designs and ultra-portable models, all scheduled to be available Jan 30, including the following:.

* The HP TouchSmart PC, a Windows Vista-inspired PC that introduces the convenient touch-screen experience to desktop computing, serves as a fast and easy-to-access information, communication and entertainment hub designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room or living room.

* The Toshiba Portege R400 is a Windows Vista-inspired signature mobile PC that incorporates innovative connectivity and display technologies to provide timely access to e-mail and appointments via Active Notifications and is built on Windows SideShow technology.

* Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 is a stylish PC that delivers a high-performance entertainment experience so users can enjoy their favourite live and recorded TV and movies or surf the Web from their sofa using the wireless keyboard or remote control.

* The Medion UMPC is an ultra-mobile PC that provides multiple input options such as a keyboard, a pen and touch capabilities and features the new Origami Experience, a user interface that optimises entertainment and communications on the smallest class of personal computers running Windows Vista.

"Windows Vista is the catalyst for a variety of new hardware devices being made available to consumers," Gates said.

"The result will be an incredible set of new connected experiences that link our interests, our communities and our desires in ways that extend across home, work and play".

The development of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release are the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Microsoft and its customers and partners.

After more than 5 million beta downloads of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release, the two products were designed with the help of millions of customers worldwide, including 50 families from seven countries taking part in the Life with Windows Vista program.

During his keynote address, Gates announced Windows Home Server, a new software product for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment.

Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server.

Windows Home Server was created to help consumers deal with the explosion in digital content.

For example, 273 billion digital images were captured worldwide in 2006.1 Today, more than 40 million homes in the U.S.

have more than one PC2 and one in three homes in the U.S.

has an MP3 player.3 Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides a central location for storing a family's photographs, music, videos and documents.

Using a personalised Windows Live Internet address, people will be able to remotely access digital content on Windows Home Server when they are away from home.

At CES, companies such as AMD, Inventec Corp.

and Quanta Computer will demonstrate hardware reference designs for Windows Home Server.

Windows Home Server will also serve as a platform for independent software vendors to build innovative products for the digital home.

Gates also announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players such as Zune and others.

Sync, developed by Ford and based on the Microsoft Auto platform, will offer hands-free phone dialing, address-book synchronisation, and other features such as the ability to read text messages through the car's audio system.

Drivers can also control their digital music players using voice commands or controls on the steering wheel.

In addition, the Microsoft Auto software is easily updatable, so Sync can integrate new devices as they are introduced, with a simple software upgrade.

With Sync, Ford is using Microsoft Auto to give drivers greater control by unifying their mobile phones and portable media players into a single voice-operated in-car system.

Sync is planned to be available in the second half of 2007 in 12 models of 2008 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks and will expand to all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks by the 2009 model year.

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