14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is gearing up for the evolution of digital photography solutions based on the Windows platform via a partnership inked with Phase One. The newly formed strategic alliance between the two companies is designed to kick up a notch the offerings available for both amateur and professional photographers in combination with Windows. In this regard, the duo's collaboration will be focused on delivering enhanced technologies for digital image capture and workflow management.
"Microsoft and Phase One are joining forces to develop solutions for the Windows platform that meet the sophisticated needs of professional and 'prosumer' photographers", said Kostas Mallios, general manager of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. "Today's announcement is another example of Microsoft's commitment to our customers and the digital imaging industry."
This is not the first example of the Redmond company's technological enhancements connected with the Windows operating system. Windows Vista, for example, Microsoft's latest operating system has evolved the built-in digital imaging technology in comparison to its predecessor, Windows XP, with the introduction of Windows Photo Gallery. In addition, the product was further evolved under the Windows Live cloud operating system, with the delivery of Windows Live Photo Gallery as an upgrade to what Vista had to offer by default.
Microsoft also wrapped up its work on HD Photo, a digital image file format designed to substitute JPEG, and is of course offering native support with Vista. HD Photo is currently in the process of becoming an international standard. Photosynth is yet another initiative from the Redmond company, this time an online-based technology that gives a sneak peak into a strategy designed to combine social networking with digital images.
"Professional photographers are always looking for ways to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of the computer," said Henrik H?konsson, CEO of Phase One. "At the same time, enthusiasts want professional-quality tools but don't want to be bogged down with features and functions they won't use. We believe our combined expertise in digital imaging technology will help address these unmet needs to the benefit of our digital back customers and our digital SLR software customers."