Public celebrations planned throughout Saudi for Microsoft's most significant development in 30 years
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- February 21, 2007 -- Microsoft Saudi Arabia today held a media forum surrounding the general consumer roll out of the ground-breaking Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007, and in celebration, public events and live interactive demos are planned throughout the Kingdom. This milestone marks the most significant product launch in the history of Microsoft Saudi Arabia, and means the best in personal computing is now available in stores throughout the Kingdom in both English and Arabic.
"The most innovative versions of Windows and Office ever developed are now available across the region, and are literally inspired by our consumer's requests for increased performance and productivity," commented Dr. Khaled Al-Dhaher, General Manager Saudi Arabia. "This is Microsoft's most significant development in 30 years, and we are thrilled to be able to provide consumers and businesses with innovative software and operating systems in both English and Arabic that empowers and enables them to reach their potential."
Microsoft Saudi Arabia will celebrate the public availability of its latest products by hosting live demos on the exciting new product packages in malls, large electronics retailers and universities throughout the Kingdom to thank customers, employees, partners and media for their continued support. "This is the first time that our key products have been launched in Arabic and English simultaneously and in tandem with the international launch, and we feel this alone is a cause for celebration here in the Kingdom," commented Mr. Ahmed Alafaliq, Desktop Product Manager for Microsoft Saudi Arabia. "Everyone at Microsoft has made a huge contribution to this success, as have our trusted partners Intel, Nvidia and Asus, and of course the public for their feedback on our products!" The roadshow shall travel throughout major cities in the Kingdom, stopping from 28th Feb to 2nd March at Al Rashid Mall in Al Khobar, moving to Al Hayat Mall in Riyadh from 7th to 9th March, and wrapping up in Jeddah at Sultan Mall from 14th to 16th March.
Microsoft Saudi Arabia launched Microsoft Vista and Microsoft Office for business in December 2006. Designed to enable businesses to thrive in a world of instant communication, expanding information and constant change, the new products provide a platform that will transform the way people turn information into opportunity and growth.
-Ends-
About Windows Vista & Office 2007
Windows Vista and the latest release of Microsoft Office feature dramatic graphic enhancements to the interface that make the desktop more visually exciting and significantly easier to use. With simple and intuitive tools, consumers can easily create and share digital documents, photos, music and videos, participate in digital communities, and play online and offline games.
With Windows Vista, consumers will be able to experience all kinds of entertainment -- from television to video games to music and movies -- how and when they want. Keeping in touch with family, friends and colleagues using e-mail, voice recording or video will be richer and more convenient. Redesigned user interfaces will increase productivity and ease of use, helping consumers and small businesses produce documents -- from a marketing plan to a child's birthday invitation that look better and are more professional in less time. Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 will continue to improve access to information with new tools that make it easy to find the right piece of information -- be it an e-mail message, image, note or media clip no matter where it is stored.
The new versions of Windows and Microsoft Office also deliver enhancements in family safety by empowering parents to better manage and monitor their children's PC and Internet activities. With a few simple clicks in the new Windows Vista Parental Controls center, parents can manage and monitor PC and Internet access, and decide what kinds of TV, music and games are appropriate for their children.
Security is also more robust in the new releases; Features such as Windows Defender help protect consumers against attacks from spyware and malicious Web sites, while other enhancements help safeguard personal information. In Microsoft Office 2007, Document Inspector helps clean personal information, comments and hidden text from documents, so families can share their documents with confidence.
The consumer launch of Windows Vista is also expected to unleash a flood of new next-generation hardware, software and entertainment devices and services. Currently, more than 1.5 million devices and peripherals are on the market that work with Windows Vista, including more than 2,500 that are Certified for Windows Vista. In addition, thousands of PC manufacturers and system builders around the globe will deliver the Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Office 2007 on new PCs.
Please find in your press kits screen and pack shots of Microsoft Vista and Office 2007, together with images of today's event for your use.
About Microsoft Arabia:
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft opened its Riyadh-based office in 1998 and currently operates branches in Jeddah and Al Khobar. Besides being a leading software provider in the Saudi market, Microsoft Arabia has a major role in the development of the IT, education and corporate sectors in the Kingdom. It is also playing an important part in the Saudi e-government project.
Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft's Arabia Web site is www.microsoft.com/saudi.
Microsoft, Windows Vista and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information, press only:
Waleed Assal
Marketing Communication Manager
Microsoft Arabia
P: +966 1 218 8044
F: +966 1 218 8001
E: waleeda@microsoft.com
Hani Okaily
Senior Account Executive
Hill & Knowlton
P: +966 1 472 5555 ext. 296
M: +966 50 381 5336
E: hani.okaily@hillandknowlton.com
© Press Release 2007
