Microsoft Names New Versions

R E D M O N D, Wash., Feb. 5 -- Microsoft Corp. announced new names todayfor the next versions of the software maker's biggest products,Windows XP and Office XP.

Until now, the desktop operating system had been code-namedWhistler and the applications suite was known as Office 10. XPstands for experience. "These breakthrough versions of Windows and Office will givepeople the most powerful end-to-end computing experiences everavailable," said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief softwarearchitect. Gates said both products would be linked closer to the Internetthrough the Microsoft.NET strategy. "The .NET platform uses XML to expand the platform from asingle PC to include other PCs, servers, smart devices and Webservices," Gates said. "Now, instead of having individualapplications on each device, users will get a rich experience thatspans all their devices. This evolution from applications toexperiences starts with Windows XP and Office XP."

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Windows XP will include the capacity for real-time voice, videoand application sharing, greater mobility, and Office XP isdesigned as "an information hub that will enable people to harnessinformation from multiple locations," a Microsoft news releasesaid. Windows XP is the first operating system for businesses and consumers that uses thesoftware code found in Windows NT and Windows 2000, rather than anearlier and less stable code structure. Both are currently in beta testing. More details on the newprogram features will be announced Feb. 13, Office XP is scheduledfor release late in the first half of this year and Windows XP isscheduled for general release in the second half the year.