A million music downloads, movies on demand and copies signed by Bill Gates.
Microsoft launched its much anticipated operating system, Windows Vista, today along with new service deals with Sanity, BigPond and Kodak.
The anticipated update to Windows XP went onsale just after midnight on Monday evening with the very first copy sold signed by Bill Gates.
Microsoft demonstrated Vista’s new multimedia features, including the Vista Photo Gallery and its online printing service via Kodak. The service allows users to upload images to Kodak, which will print and deliver them to any location.
Also announced at the launch was a partnership with Telstra BigPond to supply downloadable movies through Vista Media Center, which Microsoft hopes will bring movies-on-demand to mainstream use.
“[It’s] a compelling package that we feel will help extend the ‘movies-on-demand’ concept that we pioneered in Australia,” said Justin Milne, group managing director, BigPond.
The films are accessible via the Media Center interface, and come with a ‘viewing’ window which restricts access to the film after a specific time. The movies are available to all users, however, BigPond subscribers get a discount. Recent premium movies are priced at $5.95.
A similar deal was also announced with Sanity Music, which will let Vista users access its online music service via Vista’s built-in Media Player 11. The service offers both subscription and purchase options for over one million tracks.
“The new Sanity service will give you access to more than a million tracks, 24x7, as well as information on bands and playlists,” said Jeff Putt, Director of the Windows Business Group, Microsoft Australia.
Vista is available in multiple formats, with pricing starting from $179 to upgrade from Windows XP, or over $700 for Vista Ultimate.