Microsoft has announced that the development of Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) consumer operating system is complete and that the product has been released to manufacturing. According to Microsoft, Windows Me focuses on the home computing experience by enhancing areas of PC health, digital media (music and video), home networking and the online experience. Specific new features in Windows Me include Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Media Player 7, System Restore (which restored deleted critical system files), a Home Networking Wizard, Windows Image Acquisition (for downloading and saving images from digital cameras), Auto Update (automatically downloads and updates the OS from the Windows Update site), and Windows Movie Maker (digital video editing software). Windows Me will be available in retail boxes on Sept. 14, 2000 and will have an estimated retail price of $209 (same as Windows 98) for the full package and $109 for a version upgrade.
According to the press release, Windows Millennium enhancements to the home-computing experience are focused in the following areas:
PC health. Windows Me provides an easier, more intuitive and stable computing experience. New features include System Restore, which enables users to roll back their PC software configuration to a date or time when it was working properly; System File Protection, which prevents the accidental or unauthorized overwriting of critical system files; and AutoUpdate, which can automatically download important Microsoft updates without user intervention. In addition, Windows Me, combined with “fast-boot”-optimized PC hardware, will provide home users with faster access to information, communications and entertainment at any time.
Digital media. Using PCs to do more with pictures, video, music and games is becoming increasingly popular among home PC users. Windows Me provides advancements in each of these areas with features such as Windows Image Acquisition, which helps users transfer digital images from digital cameras, scanners and other WIA-compliant devices; Windows Movie Maker, which provides users with the tools to digitally edit, save and share home videos; Windows Media(TM) Player 7, which offers one powerful, easy-to-use place where users can find, organize and play digital media; and DirectPlay Voice Chat, which allows PC gamers to talk with one another across the Internet during gameplay.
Home networking. Windows Me further enables the “connected home” through the Home Networking Wizard, a feature that helps users quickly and easily find shared resources and connect them; improved Internet Connection Sharing technology; simplified USB networking; and the first implementation of Universal Plug and Play technology in a Microsoft product.
Online experience. Windows Me will provide the best Internet experience for families by providing enhanced features for doing the things that matter most to them: browsing the Internet, shopping online, sending and receiving e-mail, playing games online, doing basic Web publishing, and chatting or conferencing with friends and family. Windows Me includes Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 technologies, which adds print preview functionality, core reliability and performance enhancements to improve the home Internet experience.