REDMOND, Wash. — May 24, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that its revolutionary Tilt Wheel has won an International Business Award for the Best New Product or Service of 2005. These awards, nicknamed “the Stevies” for the Greek word “crowned,” are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace. Microsoft’s win in 2005 follows 2004’s winner for Best New Product or Service, Research In Motion for the BlackBerry 7230.
Microsoft’s Tilt Wheel was chosen for the intuitive four-way scrolling capabilities of its all-in-one mouse wheel, the first of its kind, which makes navigating large spreadsheets and Web pages easier than ever. The four-way scrolling technology is quickly becoming an industry standard and winning business- and retail-customer acclaim worldwide. The Tilt Wheel actually boasted greater initial sales than those of Microsoft’s popular optical technology in its first six months of availability.
“Two years ago we advanced the scroll wheel, the No. 1 feature people look for in a mouse, with the first Tilt Wheel Technology,” said Tom Gibbons, general manager of the Hardware Group at Microsoft. “Our Tilt Wheel has set a precedent for our business customers, and we are proud to receive this prestigious award in recognition of the benefits it delivers to businesses worldwide.”
Seventy-six International Stevie Award winners were selected from more than 600 nominations received from companies and individuals in more than 30 countries. Twenty-one nations have at least one International Stevie winner: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Companies worldwide can enter the International Business Awards competition in any of more than 40 categories, including Best Multinational Company, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program and Best Executive. Members of the Awards’ Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs select International Stevie winners from among the finalists, which are determined by volunteer judges around the world during two months of preliminary judging.
“This year we saw greater international representation among the entries, and this is reflected in the number of countries that are represented in the winners’ circle,” said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie Awards, the organization that runs the International Business Awards competition. “We congratulate all the finalists and International Stevie Award winners, and we look forward to honoring them for their achievements at our gala awards dinner in New York on May 19.”
About The Stevie Awards
Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (September 22, 2002), Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.
About Microsoft Hardware
For more than two decades, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design, and hardware and software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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