Windows Home Server Breaks Ground on New Features, Expands Into More Homes Worldwide

Windows Home Server Breaks Ground on New Features, Expands Into More Homes
Worldwide
New Power Pack 1 adds support for Windows Vista x64, enhances remote access
capabilities, extends data protection and supports the Chinese and Japanese
languages.

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Attendees of this week's 2008
International CES will be introduced to Windows Home Server Power Pack 1. The
new software delivers a range of enhancements for customers who have embraced
Windows Home Server since its launch last November, helping them protect,
organize and share their digital photos, music, videos and documents.
Microsoft Corp. is committed to continually enhancing the capabilities and
benefits of Windows Home Server for partners and consumers. With Power Pack 1,
the Windows Home Server Connector software for home computers is compatible
with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. This update release also provides a new
way to protect data, in case of a disaster such as a fire or theft, by
enabling the backup of a home server to external storage. In addition, Power
Pack 1 improves its remote access features by providing a simple way to upload
multiple files, presenting photo thumbnail views and enabling more control of
remote user access.
With Power Pack 1, power consumption of Windows Home Server is more
efficient, complementing the power management capabilities in Windows Home
Server-based hardware products such as the Fujitsu Siemens Computers SCALEO
Home Server and Tranquil Home Servers. Power Pack 1 also adds support for the
Chinese and Japanese languages, and will be available to customers
automatically in spring 2008 through Windows Update. More information about
the update is available on the Windows Home Server blog at
http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver.
Unveiled by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at CES 2007 and launched in
November, Windows Home Server represents a new product category embraced by
both customers and industry partners. Forrester Research Inc. forecasts that
home server adoption will reach 4.56 million households in the next five
years.
"Windows Home Server will spearhead the growth of an important new product
category," said J.P. Gownder, principal analyst at Forrester Research, in his
December 2007 teleconference, "Forrester's Windows Home Server Outlook and
Forecast." "The proliferation of consumer digital assets creates a need for
the functionality of a home server. And multi-PC households are growing
rapidly, along with home networks."
Delighted Customers
Customer demand for Windows Home Server has been strong; the HP MediaSmart
Server, powered by Windows Home Server, sold out on leading retailer Web sites
after it launched. Customers in more than 30 countries are now using Windows
Home Server to help secure and enjoy their digital content and experiences.
For example, in the United States, Brian Driscall used Windows Home Server to
quickly restore all of his 9-year-old son's progress on the "LEGO Star Wars"
computer game, after his 4-year-old son had deleted the information.
"I saved the day for my son," Driscall said. "I love being able to stream
music, videos and pictures from my home server, too. We had some friends over
recently, and we were able to show them pictures from our Thanksgiving
vacation on our TV."
Brian Irvin is a technical sergeant in the New York Air National Guard,
stationed in Antarctica. He posts videos of himself to the server back home,
so he can stay connected with his wife and children.
"The kids really love it. My 5-year-old daughter even talks to the
computer while the videos are playing," Irvin said. "I'm able to read my kids
a bedtime story, even though I'm on the other side of the planet."
Partners Build On the Windows Home Server Platform
More than 15 hardware makers around the world have announced Windows Home
Server-based products. Third-party software developers have released or
announced approximately 50 Add-in programs to extend Windows Home Server
capabilities, including personal blogging, family Web sites, media sharing,
home security features, home automation, and protection against viruses and
malware.
In its pressroom at CES, Microsoft will demonstrate Windows Home Server
working with partner solutions such as the Sonos Digital Music System and
CEIVA digital photo frames. In France, the OMSERVER from OMWAVE is a new
Windows Home Server-based hardware product with home automation Add-in
software. Information about other Windows Home Server-based hardware products
and third-party Add-ins is available at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/homeserver.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
For more information about Windows Home Server:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/homeserver (virtual
pressroom) http://www.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver (product page)

For more information about the HP MediaSmart Server:
http://www.hp.com/go/mediasmartserver

SOURCE Microsoft

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