Mon Feb 27, 2006. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) plans six core offerings of its upcoming Windows Vista operating system, targeting how people use computers instead of PC hardware specifications, the company said on Monday. The world's largest software maker plans three offerings aimed at consumers, two at business users and a stripped-down edition for emerging markets. Unlike the current Windows XP, there will no versions designed specifically for advanced 64-bit computing, multimedia computers or Tablet PCs.
"We're delivering the exact same number of offerings as in Windows XP, but the big difference is that each of those offerings are targeted differently with a different set of features," said Barry Goffe, director of Microsoft's Windows client product marketing.
Windows Vista, due out in the second half of 2006, is the much-anticipated upgrade to Microsoft's flagship product. Windows, which is found in about 90 percent of all computer desktops, is also one of Microsoft's earnings cash cows.
The company, which accidentally posted some details of the Vista product lineup on one of its Web sites earlier in the month, has promised that Vista will feature improved security, simplified search across the desktop and a cleaner interface.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft expects Windows Vista Home Premium to be the mainstream consumer product, allowing users to record and watch high-definition television, burn and author DVDs and perform other multimedia functions.
It also incorporates Tablet PC technology to decipher handwriting to let users write notes on the computer.
Vista Home Premium will be the middle option for consumers, sandwiched between the high-end Windows Vista Ultimate, which also includes business-oriented features, and a bare-bones Windows Vista Home Basic without the multimedia capabilities.
For business users, Microsoft plans Windows Vista Business for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have a information technology support staff.
Windows Vista Enterprise will be aimed at large, global companies with encryption features to protect information even if a computer is stolen and tools to enable compatibility with applications designed for older operating systems.
All the versions for consumers and businesses are available for both 32-bit or 64-bit computer systems. Sixty-four-bit processors can crunch twice as many bits of information at one time as the more prevalent 32-bit processors.
Microsoft will also offer a version of Vista Home Basic and Vista Business without a Windows Media Player in Europe to comply with European Union antitrust rulings.
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