REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 10, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that more than 100 Windows® Image Acquisition (WIA)-compliant devices are ready for Microsoft® Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), the next version of the consumer Windows operating system, which is scheduled to be released Sept. 14. Leading manufacturers such as EPSON America Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Canon USA Inc., Eastman-Kodak Co., Casio Computer Co. Ltd., Olympus America Inc., Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., Sony Electronics Inc., Intel Corp. and Philips Consumer Electronics Co. are delivering devices supporting Microsoft’s WIA architecture to provide users of Windows Me-based PCs with an easy, automatic way to capture, create, store and publish digital still images.
WIA, which will also be supported in future versions of Windows, provides the Windows platform with a robust and extensive imaging infrastructure. It simplifies the use of today’s imaging devices, including digital cameras and scanners.
“Microsoft is thrilled to team with leading manufacturers in the imaging industry to deliver the cool benefits of digital media to users of Windows-based PCs in the home,”
said John Frederiksen, general manager of the PC Experience Group at Microsoft.
“As a result of the technology and this collaborative industry effort, users don’t have to be experts in digital media to create and share high-quality images on their Windows Me-based PC.”
WIA, introduced at WinHEC 99, offers several specific benefits to Windows Me users:
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Plug and Play capability. When WIA-compliant devices are plugged in, they are automatically recognized.
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Organization. Images are automatically stored in one easy-to-remember folder called My Pictures.
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Space-saving capability. With thumbnail preview, users don’t have to download an entire batch of photos, but can pick and choose which ones to save on their hard drive.
Microsoft worked with leading hardware-imaging manufacturers to develop the WIA architecture and implement the technology into hardware and software products that seamlessly integrate with Windows Me.
“Customers are asking for an easier way to capture, create and store digital images,”
said Sam Szteinbaum, business manager for Hewlett Packard’s North American Consumer Computing Organization.
“Hewlett Packard is pleased to offer a range of products that will benefit from the WIA architecture, allowing Windows Me customers to more easily create and share their digital pictures.”
“WIA is a fantastic technology that enables the automatic recognition of scanners and digital cameras to help consumers use their new products right away,”
said Tenny Sin, executive vice president of UMAX Technologies Inc.
“UMAX will offer WIA-compliant devices that take full advantage of this technology to help consumers get the most enjoyable digital media experience from Windows Me.”
More information on WIA is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/wia/ . A complete list of WIA-compliant peripherals can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/wia/winme_wiadrv.htm .
Windows Me is scheduled to be available in retail channels on Sept. 14. In addition, Windows Me will be available preinstalled on new PCs. More information about Windows Me is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/winme/ .
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