Portable Planet

In his keynote address at the Microsoft Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates today demonstrated Windows Home Server and announced new hardware partners for the upcoming product, which include Gateway Inc., LaCie and Medion International. The company also announced that it will release a version of the software for system builders, named eight independent software vendors that will provide applications for Windows Home Server, and revealed its plans to kick off the Code2Fame Challenge for developers to create Windows Home Server hardware and software add-in solutions.

Delivered on hardware from leading partners and slated for release later this year, Windows Home Server helps families with more than one PC easily centralize, share and protect their digital pictures, music, documents and videos.

“Digital devices and digital media are now an essential part of so many aspects of our lives, and their importance continues to grow,” said Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft. “With Windows Home Server, we are launching a new category of consumer products that will make it much easier for people to connect to their digital content and share experiences with friends and family no matter where they are.”

New OEM Partners Broaden Customer Choices

Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server software. Announced today, original equipment manufacturers Gateway, LaCie and Medion will also deliver hardware products powered by Windows Home Server, extending the range of easy-to-use solutions that will be available to consumers. LaCie is a leader in external storage solutions for consumers. Medion will demonstrate its product, code-named Medion Home Server, at WinHEC this week. The product will have storage options of 500 GB up to 2 terabytes and will offer Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compliant universal plug and play media streaming based on PacketVideo Connect software. It is scheduled to ship by the end of 2007.

Windows Home Server for System Builders

Microsoft also announced that Windows Home Server will be available to the system builder channel, further broadening the scope of the home server product category. Using this version of the software, system builders worldwide will have the resources and flexibility to provide customized, targeted Windows Home Server products to meet the needs of a wide array of customer segments.

Windows Home Server Software Solutions for the Digital Home

As a software platform and an “always on” device in the home, Windows Home Server offers independent software vendors tremendous opportunities to build innovative products for the digital home, such as protection against viruses and malware, media sharing capabilities, home security, and home automation. Microsoft today announced several software vendors supporting Windows Home Server with their applications:

* Diskeeper Corp.’s Diskeeper 2007 software will support Windows Home Server to enhance system speed and reliability.

* Embedded Automation Inc.’s mControl software will integrate with Windows Home Server to help consumers manage home lighting systems, security cameras, climate control, and audio and visual components.

* F-Secure Corp. software will interoperate with Windows Home Server to help protect consumers against computer viruses and other threats from the Internet and mobile networks.

* Iron Mountain will integrate its data protection services with Windows Home Server.

* Lagotek Corp.’s Home Intelligence Platform for home automation will support Windows Home Server.

* PacketVideo Corp.’s PacketVideo Connect will enable DLNA 1.0-certified, DLNA 1.5-compliant and universal plug-and-play media streaming from Windows Home Server to a variety of entertainment devices in the home.

* Riptopia CD loading service for Windows Home Server will convert and load a customer’s entire CD collection for storage and protection on Windows Home Server.

* SageTV media server software for Windows Home Server provides a complete, “always on” digital entertainment experience for the enjoyment of personal media and online content on any TV or PC screen, at home or away, with SageTV Placeshifter software.

In addition, HP has developed software to run on Windows Home Server within the HP MediaSmart Server, including an enhanced Windows Home Server console, Web photo sharing and media sharing.

Source: Microsoft