Microsoft Corporation today announced the availability of Microsoft Windows 98, the consumer operating system upgrade that works better and plays better. The new operating system is immediately available in 34 countries worldwide and from more than 300 retail outlets in South Africa. Additionally, Windows 98 is expected to be available on more than 90 percent of all new consumer PCs within 30 days.
"Windows 98 is the first version of Windows that we designed specifically for home users," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "As a result, this is the easiest version of Windows yet, and will help bring the power of the PC to new users worldwide."
Microsoft South Africa will be celebrating the worldwide availability of Windows 98 with key journalists this evening, at a launch event in Cape Town. The group will join Bill Gates via a satellite link to the Microsoft Corporation launch event in San Francisco.
Windows 98 extends opportunities for the PC industry Industry leaders, including PC manufacturers and hardware and software vendors, are taking advantage of new features in Windows 98, including enhanced broadcast capabilities and support for the latest technologies such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) to deliver innovative new solutions to their customers.
"Windows 98 is not only a win for consumers, but it is a win for the entire PC industry," said Colin Hooper, product manager personal systems division at Microsoft South Africa. "The powerful, easy to use, consumer-oriented features will appeal to experienced and new users alike, helping to grow the entire market."
Top desktop and portable PC manufacturers worldwide are delivering Windows 98 preinstalled on their new consumer systems. Manufacturers include Acer America, Compaq Computer Corporation, Dell Computer Corporation, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Micron Electronics Incorporated, Packard Bell NEC Incorporated, Sony Electronics Incorporated, Siemens Nixdorf Incorporated and Toshiba America Incorporated.
In addition, more than 10,000 systems builders are participating in the Microsoft OEM System Builders Programme to deliver tailor-made solutions featuring Windows 98.
Windows 98`s native support for USB also presents hardware vendors with a tremendous opportunity to deliver consumers exciting and innovative peripherals, from realistic "force feedback" joysticks to digital cameras. USB dramatically simplifies the installation of these peripherals, delivering consumers true "plug and play" functionality. Currently, there is a breadth of USB devices being developed by the industry`s leading manufacturers.
According to David Fair, chairman of the USB Implementers Forum (USB IF) and technology initiative manager at Intel Corporation, consumers can expect to see a steady increase in the number and type of USB devices available, with more than 150 new products due to hit the market over the course of the next year.
"Thanks to Windows 98`s support for USB, a wide array of easy-to-use USB devices are poised to flood the marketplace," said Fair. "USB technology enables a whole new spectrum of computing options that will help lower the barriers to broader PC adoption, expand the market and create a better end user PC experience."
Windows 98 works better, plays better As the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers, Windows 98 builds on the breakthrough features in Windows 95 to offer the following benefits:
- Improved ease of use through Internet integration. Windows 98 makes use of key Internet Explorer technologies to unify and simplify the desktop, making it quick and easy for users to find and navigate to information, whether it resides on their PCs or the Internet. In addition, finding help has been dramatically simplified with the addition of new troubleshooting wizards and Web-based help features.
- Enhanced performance and reliability. Windows 98 dramatically improves the key areas that keep users waiting on their PC today, including opening applications, accessing the Internet and shutting down the PC. This enhanced performance, along with powerful new self-maintenance and update features, empower users to spend more time enjoying their PCs and less time managing their system.
- A new range of PC hardware and entertainment capabilities. Windows 98 ushers in a new range of hardware and entertainment functionality. Now, not only do games run better on Windows 98-based PCs than on traditional game console devices, but Windows 98 includes native support for USB, which makes adding hardware devices as easy as plugging in a toaster. In addition, Windows 98 provides DVD and television broadcast capabilities, allowing a PC with a television tuner card to seamlessly receive and display television and other data distributed over broadcast networks.
Microsoft also announced today the worldwide availability of Microsoft Plus! 98, the consumer companion for Windows 98. Plus! 98 extends the advanced functionality in Windows 98 by adding new utilities, desktop themes and games to let customers further manage, customise and enjoy their PC.
Support, availability and pricing In anticipation of the strong demand for Windows 98, Microsoft will extend its standard technical support hours to include the first two weekends following today`s launch (7 a.m. - 3 p.m. PST June 27, 28 and July 3, 4, 5 1998).
Microsoft previously announced that in preparation for the launch, it had increased the number of Windows support engineers by 40 percent, for a total of more than 1,000 trained professionals. Customers who purchase a standalone retail copy of Windows 98 will receive 90 days of standard no-charge telephone support, available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday PST.
Additionally, Microsoft has added over 200 Windows 98-specific "how to" articles to Support Online, the most popular way customers seek support assistance. Support Online is located at http://microsoft.com/support and is available 24 hours a day so customers can search for details on how to get the most out of Windows 98 and its new features.
Windows 98 is now available in 34 countries around the world. By November 1, 1998 Windows 98 will be available in the following 30 languages: Arabic, Basque, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Japanese NEC, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese - Brazilian, Portuguese - Iberian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish.
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