Device-Makers Laud Microsoft’s Early Partnership Efforts
Microsoft also announced early industry support for Device Stage from partners including Brother, Epson, HP, Motorola, Nikon, Sansa, Canon and Sony.
As part of the keynote, Microsoft demonstrated Canon's SD990 digital camera and a Nokia N95 smartphone to show how Device Stage makes it easier for people to use multifunction devices and makes it easier for hardware companies to package custom applications and services as part of the user experience.
Early-partner adoption of Windows 7 and Device Stage illustrates the larger industry opportunity for device manufacturers to increase customer satisfaction by providing customized device information that can be updated at any time. It also provides a platform for device manufacturers to offer customers built-in support for common features and direct access to services such as ring tones, ink cartridges and photo printing. The investments being made in Windows 7 not only help customers get the most from their devices, but also create new opportunities for partners.
"Canon and Microsoft share a history of working together, responding to customer needs through each company's outstanding technologies and products," said Yoshiyuki Suzuki, senior general manager of the Office Imaging Products Planning Center at Canon. "We look forward to further developing our relationship with Microsoft as we lay the groundwork for high-performance Windows 7-compatible Canon products."
"We have been working closely with Microsoft to help ensure compatibility and seamless connectivity between our leading smartphone software S60 on Symbian OS and Windows 7," said Eero Kukko, head of S60 Platform Marketing at Nokia.
"For the past year, HP has been working closely with Microsoft to ensure maximum reliability, compatibility and an enhanced user experience for our imaging and printing products with the Windows 7 operating system," said John Crandall, director of Strategic Alliances for the HP Imaging and Printing Group.
Windows Server 2008 R2
Also at WinHEC, Microsoft will be demonstrating Windows Server 2008 R2 to attendees. Microsoft is working with original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors and developers to help ensure that customers can make full use of the latest industry hardware advancements in 64-bit, as well as multicore and manycore processing and power management efficiencies, with Windows Server 2008 R2. Additional technology investments include virtualization, Web, power management and scalability, while delivering an enhanced experience for Windows 7 customers.
