Microsoft Makes History at the British Library
Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System Launch Event Showcases Partner Innovation
London - UK – 30th January 2007- During a historic event at the British Library, Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Microsoft, today unveiled Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft® Office system in the UK market. The launch event showed how Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system could be used in creative ways to bring literature and music, TV and movies, games and photography, and personal or work documents vibrantly to life.
Bill Gates said, “Consumers are driving technology development more than ever, shaping what it allows them to do and expanding the possibilities for how they’ll use it in the future. We believe in opening up these possibilities and exploring what we can make happen, and this conviction is at the heart of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system. In the UK, we have worked closely with partners who share this vision. Today, we are getting a first look at the future of interactive, personalised connected experiences.”
Dazzling visuals illustrated a range of the services on offer, capturing the imagination of the audience, while a spectacular movie moment impressed Leonardo da Vinci enthusiasts. British pop favourites, The Feeling, also thrilled fans. The special concert was on behalf of Microsoft partner Universal Music Group whose Windows Vista-based music service provides information on the latest gigs and music clips straight to the PC.
Microsoft partners Betfair, easyJet, Franklin Covey, IMG Media and ITN also contributed to the ‘Wow’ factor at the event with a range of innovative experience demonstrations. Sports fans can follow their favourite team with IMG Media’s live desktop ‘gadget’ while those with wandering feet can get the latest flight offers from easyJet’s personalised flight information and booking service. ITN is providing a service for people to decide what type of news they want to receive when and how it will look; and Betfair offers a fun way to have a quick flutter on the next big sporting event. Franklin Covey’s personal productivity tool helps people discover their personal strengths, learn to prioritise tasks and aim to reach their goals at home and in the workplace.
Bill Gates and Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, also announced the digital reunification of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. The two notebooks, known as the Codices, are owned by the British Library (Codex Arundel) and Bill Gates (Codex Leicester) respectively. A British Library technology called ‘Turning The Pages 2.0’ which runs on Windows Vista has made it possible to bring the two parts of da Vinci’s notebook together for the first time since his death in 1519*.
“By making the Codices available online, anyone can have a first-hand look at this incredible work, which even now, 500 years later, still seems far ahead of the times,” continued Bill Gates. “This is a great example of how personal computing has enormous power to change the way we think and learn through digital access to information. Viewing the two Codices using the British Library’s ‘Turning the Pages 2.0’ application on Windows Vista is truly an amazing experience.”
In a world where PCs are increasingly being used for home entertainment as much as work, Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system offer some breakthrough features:
| • | Windows Vista is designed to help consumers feel confident in their ability to view, find, and organise information and to control their computing experiences. |
| • | It’s the most secure system yet. There is peace of mind for parents with the new parental controls settings and it also includes a filter to protect against illegal websites that steal personal details. |
| • | It’s easy to connect with friends and family whether at home or on the go. It’s also simple to access photos, music, movies, and recorded shows on other PCs throughout the home, and even through an Xbox 360. Consumers can order high-quality movies (Cinema Now) and music (Napster), watch breaking news stories or play great games - all at the touch of a remote control button. |
| • | Create professional looking documents in no time at all with the new Ribbon in Office 2007. A wider-than-ever choice of colours, fonts and background images helps give work a touch of personality. |
To celebrate the launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system and share the excitement with consumers across the UK, Microsoft is hosting a special “Wow” competition at www.windowsvista.co.uk. The ‘money can’t buy’ prizes include a VIP concert with your favourite UK band, an exclusive trip to the Hollywood premiere of Transformers, a luxury holiday to an Indian beach on the Swahili coastline and many more.
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.
| • | Visit the Microsoft UK homepage for further information on Microsoft products |
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