State-of-the-art, touch-enabled software launches

Media release
Friday 26 October 2012

State-of-the-art, touch-enabled software launches

Microsoft's latest Windows operating system launched around the world – new apps and range of hardware options offering consumers greater choice and flexibility

The highly anticipated Windows 8 has officially landed in New Zealand today. The state-of-the-art software is now available for consumers and businesses worldwide to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer – a beautiful new user interface, a wide range of apps (both local and international) with the opening of the Windows Store, all available on more than 1,000 Windows 8 certified PCs and tablets.

“With the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft is unveiling a reimagined Windows to the world,” says Paul Muckleston, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand.

“Whether you want a tablet or a PC, whether you want to consume or create, whether you want to work or play, Windows 8 delivers a personalised experience that fits your unique style and needs.”

Windows 8 will be available for download to upgrade existing PCs in more than 140 markets and 37 languages, and at retail locations around the country. Windows 8 will be pre-installed on a wide variety of device styles from HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, Sony, Dell, Lenovo and others, and available from more than 300 retail stores around the country, including Harvey Norman, JB HiFi, Dick Smith and Noel Leeming.

Exciting new apps will help bring Windows 8 to life, including a number that have been developed in New Zealand by Kiwi developers.

"Windows 8 offers an unprecedented opportunity for developers to create their mark on a brand new platform. And unlike other platforms, they can do this using open and standard technologies,” says Matt Pickering, Managing Director of NV Interactive.

“With 15 years’ experience in design-led web development, we have been able to leverage our existing skills to almost immediately produce world-class Windows 8 apps for some of the biggest NZ and international brands. We have been actively working with Windows 8 for many months now and it is a rare privilege to have created some exciting apps that will be live for launch.”

“The combination of the strength of Windows, the simplicity of the Windows 8 design language and the power of touch is going to create a new future for computing as we know it. I can’t recall a time as exciting as right now in all our years in the industry."

With apps including the Trade Me Toolbox and New Zealand Herald, the Marker Metro team is leading the way on this platform and sees huge financial potential in developing apps for Windows 8.

"The launch of Windows 8 is a hugely exciting time for Marker Metro. We've seen the gold rush come to other platforms, and with half a billion Windows 7 devices in the market, we reckon there's massive potential for app developers in the new Windows 8 Store," says Keith Patton from Marker Metro.

"At Marker Metro, our apps are design-led. This means we spend a lot of time making sure our apps look and behave fantastically well. Windows 8 is great for us because we can be so much more creative with designing responsive, gorgeous applications in a way we could never do with other platforms. The stuff we get 'for free' with Windows 8, like Search and Share really make our lives easy too."

Other locally developed apps that will be available from the Windows Store include SKY TV, ESPN CricInfo, 7Digital Music Store, Menu Mania, Flicks.co.nz, Chelsea Recipe Club and New Zealand Cricket.

Windows 8 will be available in two versions at retail stores, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. For business customers, Windows 8 Enterprise offers new possibilities in mobile productivity with features like Windows To Go, DirectAccess and BranchCache, as well as enhanced end-to-end security with features such as BitLocker and AppLocker.

Launching at the same time is a new member of the Windows family designed for ARM-based tablets, Windows RT, which will be available pre-installed on new devices. Windows 8 features the new fast and fluid Start screen that gives people one-click access to the apps and content they care most about, the entirely new Internet Explorer 10 that is perfect for touch and built-in cloud capabilities with SkyDrive. Devices running Windows RT also include Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview*.

In addition to the range of new devices available, consumers can also upgrade their existing PCs. Through to the end of January 2013, consumers currently running PCs with Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista or Windows 7 are qualified to download Windows 8 Pro online for NZ$49.99 or purchase from a participating retail outlet for an estimated retail price of NZ$89.99 (this version includes media)**. Eligible Windows 7 PCs purchased between 2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013 in more than 140 countries can download Windows 8 Pro for NZ$19.99 with the Windows Upgrade Offer, available at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-NZ.

Please visit the Windows website, Windows Blog or the Windows YouTube Channel for more information, or follow us on the Windows Facebook page, or Twitter @Windows.

Ends

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