Microsoft Sharpens Its Focus on Digital Imaging
Source: Publish
Written By Deborah Rothberg
It’s been a busy few weeks for Microsoft Corp. on the digital imaging front.
Last week, Microsoft launched a digital photography Web site for Windows XP users.
“The site provides us with a way to both help photographers learn best practices in a digital workflow on the Windows platform, as well as to learn from them about how we could better meet their needs,” said Josh Weisberg, group product manger of Windows Digital Media. “The emphasis is on a sense of community among professional photographers and demonstrating what is possible for them with the Windows platform.”
Matt Rosoff, an analyst with the Directions on Microsoft research firm, said, “This is mainly a marketing campaign to let those types of photographers know about this new support. Professional photography is a niche market, and not the kind of market Microsoft usually targets. “[But] the Pro Photo site could also eventually become a marketing vehicle for Acrylic, Microsoft’s recently announced competitor to Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator.
“In general, this [Microsoft's moves] looks like part of a larger attempt to spur consumers to buy new PCs by supporting new, processor-intensive uses for the PC,” said Rosoff. “It’s similar to the CrossFader effort—a Web site that nominally targets professional DJs, but that’s really a broader marketing effort to show that Windows XP can be used for high-end audio.”
The Microsoft Professional Photography site includes more information on Microsoft Raw, a Raw image viewer and thumbnailer, and a starter page for Windows XP digital photography.