MS launches Windows Vista and 2007 Office System

Bangalore, Jan 30: At noon today, in Mumbai, the most significant product launch in Microsoft's history culminated with the release of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System to consumers. The products, two of the most innovative and most tested software products in the history of Microsoft, are designed to 'wow' consumers with an all new, exciting and elegant interface, significantly enhanced security, integrated search and overall improved performance. Windows Vista and 2007 Office System will transform the way people use technology to communicate, connect, create and share content and access entertainment.

Announcing the launch Mr. Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India, "Today's global launch of Windows Vista and Microsoft 2007 Office System truly gives credence to our vision for the future of personal computing. We want to see technology help each individual in unlocking their true potential and these new desktop technologies which are intuitive, easier to use, more secure and much, much more fun overall will truly redefine user experience."

The two flagship products, which were released to business customers on November 30, 2006, will be available for consumers starting today in retail stores across thirty countries. In India specifically, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) including HCL, HP, Lenovo, Sahara, Wipro and Zenith are launching a range of Vista compatible PCs to provide people with the widest range of hardware options.

The Windows Vista and 2007 Office platform will be made available in several editions targeted at specific user groups and addressing all segments of the market. Specifically, Windows Vista, with its visual sophistication, and elements like enhanced connectivity, virus protection and secure-boot, is available in four consumer editions - Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Starter. The new version of Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows desktop platform is being shipped in over 18 languages including Hindi. Among the Indian languages, support for 13 more Indian languages including Telugu and Marathi, is expected by early 2008. Microsoft 2007 Office System, with an all new intuitive user interface includes two consumer editions, Office Home&Student 2007 and Office Basic 2007.

Windows Vista with all its additional values and enhanced features is priced comparably with Windows XP. For example, Windows Vista Home Basic is priced the same as Windows XP Home. Genuine Windows Vista loaded PCs in India will retail at a starting price of Rs. 22,000, while pricing for the Microsoft 2007 Office consumer editions starts at Rs 6,000.

Citing excitement on the launch of the products, Ms. Neelam Dhawan, Managing Director, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd commented, "We are excited about the support we have received from our partners. There are already more than 1.5 million devices and peripherals on the market that work with Windows Vista, including more than 2,000 that are Windows Vista Certified. This is unprecedented momentum within the ecosystem, and we will continue to invest in the community so that partners and customers can benefit from the myriad opportunities offered by Windows Vista and 2007 Office System."

Some of the features of Windows Vista and 2007 Office which will excite and satisfy consumers' computing needs include: Innovations in interface design that transform the desktop and make these two products visually stunning, and much easier to use. New capabilities also make it easy for anyone to create and share digital content, allow more fun with photos, music and videos, and help participate in digital communities by posting blogs, creating Web sites or playing games online.

Windows Vista will also enable consumers to redefine the breadth of their entertainment exposure and experience, enabling them to access content from television to video games to music and movies - on their own terms and according to their own schedule. Communication will be richer and more convenient with the PC as the hub for keeping in touch with family, friends and colleagues using e-mail, voice or video. Productivity will continue to improve as new tools make it easy to find the right piece of information, image or media clip, no matter where it is stored.

Among the most significant advances in these new editions are the enhanced security and family safety features which will help parents enable their kids to explore the Internet safely while also safeguarding their personal information so they can share experiences, shop and have fun with greater confidence. One example in Windows Vista is the Parental Control Panel, a feature that provides a central location where parents can manage Internet and computer access and receive reports about which Web sites their children have visited and the amount of time they have spent on the computer. In addition, features like Windows Defender help protect consumers in real-time against attacks by spyware and malicious Web sites.

Microsoft 2007 Office is the essential software suite for home PC users that enables them to quickly and easily create great looking documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and manage communications and information in one place. With a new streamlined user interface that exposes commonly used and familiar commands, enhanced graphics and formatting capabilities, new communications and information management tools and more reliability and security, the Microsoft 2007 Office system makes it easier and more enjoyable for people to get things done at home.

The launch holds special significance for India. Not only has the product been widely tested and found large-scale adoption since its launch to enterprises on November 30th 2006, there has also been a significant involvement in development on the product from Microsoft India Development Centre (MSIDC) and involvement from engineers at the India Global Technical Support Centre (GTSC) in the Beta phase of the product.

For Windows Vista, MSIDC has contributed the VPN (Virtual Private Network), RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service) and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) technologies that enable mobile workers to connect to their corporate network and manage the network addresses for enterprises. In addition, MSIDC has also delivered the UNI