Activities marking the most significant product launch in Microsoft’s history have started with the release to consumers of the Windows Vista operating system and Microsoft Office 2007.

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The two flagship products, which were previewed by the Nigerian Press and released to Nigerian business customers last November will be available in more than 70 countries, in 19 languages with 99 languages anticipated by the end of the year, including Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Announcing the launch events, Microsoft Nigeria Marketing Manager, Victor Okigbo, said:"The Nigeria launch event is part of a global schedule. We will launch Windows Vista and Microsoft Office in Abuja on the 20th of February and in Lagos on the 22nd of February."

"With the product available in over 39,000 retail stores worldwide including our local PC Outlet Store at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lagos, you can, of course, buy a copy from retail outlets right away. In fact, one very lucky Nigerian shopper will get an invitation to the Feb 22 launch event in Lagos and a copy of Windows Vista signed by Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates."

Okigbo further disclosed that Microsoft Nigeria is collaborating closely with business partners and distributors such as HP, Intel, Coscharis Technologies and Technology Distributors (TD) as part of the product launch process and as such the launch events will include high-impact product demonstrations.

Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system deliver innovations in interface design that transform the desktop and make these two products visually exciting and significantly easier to use. New capabilities make it easy for anyone to create and share digital content like photos, music and videos, and participate in digital communities by posting blogs, creating Web sites or playing games online.

Describing the new products, Okigbo said, "The way that Nigerians work, play and communicate will be profoundly affected by the launch of these products: Vista is by far the most stable, secure and technologically advanced version of Windows to date; Office has a radically redesigned user interface that boosts productivity in a significant way. We areexcited that Nigerians will have the opportunity to experience the impact of working and playing with these products."

The new versions of Windows and Office also deliver advances in security and family safety to help parents guide their kids to explore the Internet more safely, while also safeguarding their personal information so that they can share experiences, shop and have fun with greater confidence.

One example in Windows Vista is the Parental Control Panel, a feature that provides a central location where parents can manage Internet and computer access and receive reports about which Web sites their children have visited and the amount of time they have spent on the computer.

In addition,features like Windows Defender help protect consumers against attacks by spyware and malicious Web sites.

But despite all the razzmatazz that accompanied the release of the Vista Windows, only very few customers will be queuing up to buy a copy as most users of lesser vision of Windows are not expected to upgrade but acquire Vista only when they buy a new computer.

However, the launch of Windows Vista is also expected to unleash a flood of new next-generation hardware devices. Currently, there are more than 1.5 million devices and peripherals on the market that work withWindows Vista, including more than 2,000 that are Windows Vista Certified.

Among the new devices available today that are designed specifically to work with the features of Windows Vista are the TouchSmart PC from HP, which includes a touch-sensitive screen; the Toshiba Portege R400, which features a SideShow display that lets users view their e-mail without turning on the PC or opening the lid; and the OQO model 02, a new ultra-mobile device that optimizes entertainment and communication on the smallest mobile PC form factor available.

On the Nigerian scene, two variations of Zinox’s recently launched, Zinox Divine Notebook are designed to work with Windows Vista.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potentialities. Microsoft opened its offices in Nigeria in the year 2000.