Auckland, New Zealand – Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Today the most significant product launch in Microsoft history culminates with the release of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system to consumers. The two flagship products—which were released to business customers on November 30, 2006— are available for consumers in retail stores today. Designed to transform the way people use technology to communicate, create and share content, and access entertainment, Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system deliver significant advancements that will help eliminate the barriers between people, information and communities.

Helen Robinson, Managing Director Microsoft New Zealand, says the release of these flagship products opens up so many new doors for New Zealanders.

"What attracts and retains so many of us in New Zealand is the lifestyle that this country affords us – stunning vistas, exciting leisure opportunities and increasingly the ability to lead dynamic, international businesses from down under," says Robinson.

"From today, a new world of experiences that for many have seemed futuristic, are available to New Zealand consumers."

Speaking from a digitally-enabled Wellington home where the family of local businessman and entrepreneur Shaan Stevens lives, and his small business Guinness Gallagher’s employees are based, Robinson says it doesn’t matter the style or value of your house, this latest technology is what makes the digital lifestyle truly possible.

"No matter whether you live in a city or a hideaway in the bush or on the coast, it is the technology that makes it possible for people to blend the needs and desires of different family members, from enhanced and more connected entertainment to managing your business, and live the lifestyle of your choice."

A New Era of Connected Experiences
Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system deliver innovations in interface design that transform the desktop and make these two products visually exciting and significantly easier to use. New capabilities make it simple for anyone to create and share digital content like photos, music and videos, and participate in digital communities by posting blogs, creating websites or playing games online.

With Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system, New Zealanders will be able to experience all kinds of entertainment—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 these new tools make it easy to find the right piece of information, image or media clip, no matter where it is stored.

"The media capabilities of Windows Vista mean that the PC is moving from the home office or bedroom into the lounge, with a range of other devices connecting to it. As more content becomes available digitally in a range of formats, the PC becomes increasingly important as an entertainment device," says Robinson.

The new versions of Windows and Office also deliver advances in security and family safety that help parents enable their children to explore the Internet more safely. At the same time they can safeguard their personal information whilst sharing experiences, shopping and having fun with greater confidence. One example in Windows Vista is the Parental Controls Panel, a feature that provides a central location where parents can manage Internet and computer access and receive reports about which websites their children have visited and the amount of time they have spent on the computer. In addition, features like Windows Defender help protect consumers against attacks by spyware and malicious websites.

"As a parent, you never stop worrying about the safety of your children, no matter how grown up they think they are. For me, this new feature is an ally that complements other initiatives our family has taken to help us keep safe as we use technology to enhance our lifestyles," says Robinson.

New Opportunities
Driving retail sales is just one example of the significant impact that the launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system will have on the New Zealand and global computer industry. The consumer launch of Windows Vista is also expected to unleash a flood of new next-generation hardware devices and applications. Currently, there are 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.

New Zealand celebrated being the first country in the world where consumers could purchase Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office system with a midnight opening overnight at Dick Smith Electronics PowerHouse in Manukau. Internationally renowned sports star Daniel Carter was the first person in the world to purchase a personal computer loaded with Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office system. The laptop was autographed by Daniel Carter and immediately placed on TradeMe in a charity auction to raise funds for Microsoft’s charity Cure Kids. The charity auction also includes 15 copies of limited edition Windows Vista Ultimate with Microsoft Corporation Chairman Bill Gates’ signature and 15 copies of Microsoft Office Professional 2007.

Robinson says that the innovative and cutting-edge capabilities of the New Zealand software development community have again proven noteworthy, with more New Zealand companies per capita having committed to building applications which leverage the Vista platform than in Australia.

"Even before the consumer launch today, Microsoft New Zealand has worked with 36 companies to build Vista-specific applications and utilise the additional functionality offered by Windows Vista. These companies include well known brands such as Right Hemisphere, MYOB, Quest and Prism to name just a few."

In addition, a number of New Zealand companies have created Windows Sidebar Gadgets, mini-applications with a wide variety of possible uses that can connect to the Internet to provide up-to-date information. The TrafficWatch gadget, from Symbio Agency, shows what’s happening on our busiest roads using traffic cameras from around the country; Digirama’s gadget displays its current top ten chart for music downloads; and TVNZ and the New Zealand Herald have created gadgets displaying breaking news headlines and images.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

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