Photographs are Microsoft's latest hobby and it seems that Acrylic wasn't enough. At PDC 2005, the Redmond company has decided to release Microsoft Max.

What does Microsoft Max do? It's an application that takes advantage of the new WinFX file system in order to make slideshows using the images stored on the hard disk.

After the slideshows are made, Max can be used to share them on the Internet and the users can send invitations to their friends who wish to view the presentations.

As usual, in order to have access to this feature, you need a Hotmail or Passport account. As soon as you update the album, all those who received invitations, will be notified that new images have been added.

Max includes an automatic update module, through which users can receive the latest updates and patches.

WinFX was initially scheduled to be included in Windows Vista, but Microsoft has postponed it. Still, a few days ago, Microsoft launched the first beta of WinFX, which needs to be installed if you want to see what Microsoft Max can do.

The minimum requirements a system has to meet in order to run Max are Windows XP (Home or Pro) with SP2, 1 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 200 MB of hard disk space and a monitor with a minimum resolution of 800x600. Obviously, a 3D video card is also necessary, if you want Max to run in optimum conditions, although Microsoft claims that Max is perfectly comfortable on a PC without any 3D capabilities.

Microsoft Max is available for downloaded here and it has been certified by Softpedia as being100% CLEAN.