Largest Demonstration Ever of Third-Party Applications for Microsoft Windows; Range of Applications Demonstrates the Breadth of Windows-based Solutions

November 16, 1992 — At COMDEX/Fall ’92 today, Microsoft Corp. and independent software vendors (ISVs) demonstrated more than 260 applications covering a broad range of solutions based on the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems.

This unprecedented array and diversity of Windows-based applications across all Windows platforms demonstrates broad industry support for the scalable Windows architecture. These applications include 32-bit applications, workgroup applications, Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA) solutions, multimedia solutions for home and business, digital video computing and the Microsoft Windows — for Pens operating system — all in the familiar, graph-ical Windows environment.

The COMDEX/Fall ’92 demonstrations are focused on three main themes: 32-bit applications supporting the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, workgroup computing solutions built on the Windows for Workgroups operating system with integrated networking, and exciting new multimedia applications based on the recently released Microsoft Video for Windows technology.

“The sheer number of applications demonstrated here is impressive,” said Jonathan Lazarus, vice president of systems strategy at Microsoft. “But even more important is the diversity and completeness of Windows-based solutions available now. They serve an incredible range of user needs in a seamless, integrated way, proving that ISVs are deploying great applications supporting the Windows scalable architecture.”

Windows NT Demonstrations

More than one hundred 32-bit applications running under Windows NT, including 30 development tools for Windows NT, are being demonstrated in the Comdex booth.

These Windows-based solutions include corporate development tools, server-based applications, engineering work-station applications and connectivity products. Additionally, more than 35 OEMs and hardware manufacturers will be demonstrating more than 40 third-party devices supporting Windows NT.

Windows for Workgroups Solutions

Windows for Workgroups provides new facilities for developers to add workgroup features to their existing applications as well as build a whole new category of workgroup applications. More than 40 third-party applications will be demonstrated in the booth exhibiting workgroup functionality based on these new application programming interfaces (APIs) and facilities in Windows for Workgroups. These workgroup solutions include the addition of mail and messaging to existing applications for Windows as well as entirely new workgroup applications.

Multimedia: Microsoft Video for Windows

Also featured in the booth are examples of the leading multimedia applications, CD-ROM titles, multimedia tools, and multimedia hardware solutions that have helped Windows become the largest, fastest growing multimedia platform in the computer industry.

Windows-based multimedia applications and titles can combine text, computer graphics, digital photographic images, audio, and animations to create entertaining, educational, and productivity- enhancing solutions for PC users.

More than 35 multimedia products in this section of the booth are demonstrating support for Video for Windows, which makes digital video available on any Windows-based Intel386 or Intel486 microprocessor-based computer, with or without additional hardware.

Video for Windows can be used to play back video on all implementations of the Windows operating system version 3.1, from the Modular Windows operating system on consumer devices to Windows 3.1 on desktops to the Windows NT operating system on workstations.

Additional Applications for Windows

The Windows scalable architecture facilitates Windows for Pen Computing as demonstrated by 20 ISV applications spanning a wide variety of desktop and vertical market solutions. Eight OEMs are demonstrating new hardware innovation to support mobile and pen-based computing.

Windows Open Services Architecture (WOSA) solutions are also featured in the booth by 10 ISVs showing support for the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) API. ODBC is a standard interface that provides seamless connectivity between databases and client applications. Developers who write an application to the ODBC interface gain immediate connectivity to other databases, regardless of their type. The ten ODBC products at Comdex are among the first major demonstrations of this capability.

Twenty ISVs demonstrated support for the Microsoft Visual Basic programming system version 2.0. Visual Basic 2.0 sets a new standard for visual programming power with increased speed and capacity, full-featured debugging tools and more than 150 new features. Visual Basic-based applications allow users to address special tasks, create powerful applications that send messages, and access corporate data.

Ten ISVs are demonstrating support for the Microsoft Solutions Channels program. Microsoft Solutions Channels rep-resents a relationship with third-party solution vendors providing customized applications, integration, technical sup-port, training and other services for Microsoft platforms.

The record setting number of Windows-based applications shown at the Microsoft third-party booth (No. 2416) at Comdex this year clearly demonstrates the industry’s commitment to offer a broad range of solutions for the Windows scalable architecture. Microsoft will be handing out an application catalog at the third-party booth that lists 560 32-bit applications committed for Windows NT.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

NOTES:
— Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows, Windows NT, Video for Windows, Modular Windows and Visual Basic are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
— Intel386 and Intel486 are trademarks of Intel Corp.

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Linda O’Neill or Erin Holland, 503/245-0905