Microsoft to Debut Endcap for Windows Live

On August 8, 2006, Microsoft has announced in a press release that it will debut an one-stop digital communications shopping solution due for market release later this month in approximately 1,200 Best Buy, Circuit City and CompUSA locations in the United States. The endcap program was designed to centralize devices produced by Uniden and Plantronics with Microsoft's own hardware solutions, implementing the accessories together with Windows Live Messenger.

The floor displays positioned at the end of aisles will showcase best-of-breed VoIP solutions through the conjugation of the Plantronics Audio 350 headset, Uniden dual-mode phones and Microsoft LifeCams.

"These endcaps help to distinguish our stores and will allow our sales team to more efficiently work with customers seeking digital communications products," said Scott Wallace, merchandise leader for Best Buy. "We are excited to work with Microsoft on this endeavor, which will significantly affect our staff and customers by making the peripheral search more intuitive."

"With the innovations provided by the Microsoft Hardware group along with Uniden and Plantronics, we are able to help customers connect to the people and information that matter most to them so they can see, talk with and share with their friends and family," said Ervan Pouliquen, a senior product manager with Windows Live Group at Microsoft. "Through this initiative, Microsoft Hardware is also showing how a first-party play can add value to our legacy third-party partners: At the end of the day, we have a stronger hardware ecosystem that brings more business opportunities and innovation to our hardware partners, our retailer partners and our 500 million Windows Live users."