Microsoft Corp. Thursday trumpeted a
few deals, the most important of which is perhaps the roll out of its new
operating system for home PC users.
Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition, more cutely known as
Windows Me, delivers technology advancements in the areas of PC health,
digital media, home networking and the online experience.
Some new features include System Restore, which enables users to roll back
their PC software configuration to a date or time when it was working
properly; System File Protection, which prevents the accidental or
unauthorized overwriting of critical system files; and AutoUpdate, which can
automatically download important Microsoft updates without user
intervention.
In addition, Windows Me, combined with “fast-boot”-optimized PC hardware,
will provide home users with faster access to information, communications
and entertainment at any time.
15, 2001, users of Windows 98
Microsoft teamed with fellow heavyweights Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard
and IBM Corp.,
who will all offer
Windows Me on their PC lines.
Calling it essentially the third version of Windows 98, Gartner Group analyst Neil MacDonald said the play was pitted squarely against Apple Computer Corp.’s iMac.
Though MacDonald acknowledged that it had gotten easier with its improved audio player with MP3 support, Microsoft still has a ways to go before it can compete with Apple’s ease of use.
“It’s difficult because Microsoft is a software company,” MacDonald explained to InternetNews.com Thursday. “Apple has both software and hardware so they have much tighter integration. What Microsoft is shying away from with the Millenium Edition is business clients; they want businesses to go for the higher priced Microsoft 2000 platform. But they also removed some of the ease of use technology, such as networking support and a resource kit, which were part of Windows 98.”
Celebrating like the rock star of a software company that it is, Microsoft
kicked off a 25-date tour of visiting malls Thursday in
San Francisco, where representatives will let consumers test drive Me’s new
features. The Meet Me Tour, perhaps akin in scope in the tehcnology sector
to U2’s hyped PopMart tour of three years ago, will give visitors hands-on
introduction with an interactive home-like display where people can create
and share photos, produce a video, and of course, experiment with the
system’s music features.
The release comes a day after 14-year veteran Paul Maritz, group vice
president of the Platforms Strategy and Developer Group, called it quits.
Maritz, 45, was responsible for overall platforms strategy, product planning and
business development for the development of Microsoft’s tools and related
platform technologies.
He will be replaced by Vice President Sanjay Parthasarathy, who formerly
reported to Maritz. Maritz’s exit is the latest in about a half dozen
defections from the software titan, which had battled the government in an
antitrust case the whole year.
While the resignation of key employees sees most companies, even blue chips,
take a drubbing in the stock market, Lehman Brothers analyst Mike Stanek
reiterated his buy rating on Microsoft Corp Thursday.
“Our view is that the company’s end markets continue to strengthen based on:
1) Improving corporate demand; 2) Improving White Box
business; and 3) Strengthening consumer demand,” said Stanek, who labeled
the firm’s product flow “remarkable.”
Available in full or as an upgrade, Windows Me is available now at an
estimated retail price of $209 for the full version and $109 for a version
upgrade from Windows 95. Between now and Jan.
and Windows 98 Second Edition can acquire the Windows Me Promotional Step-Up
for a special cost of $59.95, after which the $109 price prevails.
A Webcast about the new product may be viewed beginning at 10 a.m. PDT
Thursday here.
Visitors to Microsoft’s press site may choose from about six different instruction manuals
and guidebooks that explain Windows Me point by point.
While the Me operating system debuted in the home country, chairman Bill
Gates was in India announcing some new business. Microsoft launched the
Indian version of his company’s Internet portal in New Delhi and announced
another $50 million investment in its Indian software center in Hyderbad.
The center was instrumental in developing migration software for Microsoft
to win over customers from the rival UNIX platform to its own Windows.
As an aside to the launch and investment, the giant partnered with India’s
Infosys Technologies to do some
e-commerce business.
“There will be constant technical exchange between these two companies so
that the solutions that come out of this will be the most powerful solutions
in the marketplace,” Gates said.
