Microsoft and Toshiba Strengthen Relationship
TOKYO, June 27 -- Microsoft Corp.
and Toshiba Corp. today announced a significant expansion of the companies'
global relationship to enhance the development and delivery of innovative
digital consumer electronics products and personal computers by sharing each
other's respective hardware and software technologies. The expanded
collaboration is designed to accelerate the availability of new devices for
the benefit of customers, while demonstrating mutual respect for each
company's intellectual property rights.
"Microsoft values our strong relationship with Toshiba, a company we
admire for its long-standing commitment to innovation," said Bill Gates,
chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft. "This agreement
demonstrates our desire to share our innovations with other companies in ways
that promote the spread of new ideas -- and benefit customers by accelerating
the development of exciting new products."
The two companies have agreed to investigate development of HD DVD players
using Microsoft® Windows® CE technology, by bringing together Microsoft's
expertise in software and PC technologies with Toshiba's expertise in consumer
electronics and computing. The companies also plan to strengthen their
collaboration on iHD, the DVD Forum's latest interactivity format.
As leaders in the PC industry, Microsoft and Toshiba promote joint ongoing
projects in an effort to deliver breakthrough mobile PCs and expand the mobile
market, showcasing integration of the key software features of the Windows
operating system with the cutting-edge hardware technologies from Toshiba. The
companies have been working closely to promote Windows XP-based Tablet PCs and
Media Center PCs on a worldwide basis, offering customers new PC work styles
and benefits. Microsoft and Toshiba also expect to develop and deliver
compelling mobile PCs with the next version of the Windows operating system,
code-named "Longhorn."
In April 2005 the companies signed a cross-licensing agreement to promote
the exchange of innovations developed by each company. The licensing agreement
covers developments in computer and digital consumer electronics areas.
Microsoft and Toshiba both have traditions of investing heavily in research
and development, a fact reflected in the depth of their respective patent
portfolios and diverse products.
"We are very excited to take our long-standing partnership with Microsoft
to the next level. Our companies have worked together since Toshiba launched
the world's first laptop PC back in 1985, and we enjoy a relationship rooted
in mutual respect and understanding," said Atsutoshi Nishida, president and
CEO of Toshiba. "We look forward to extending the scope of our relations to
encompass HD DVD, a major driver of the next-generation consumer electronics."
Microsoft and Toshiba will continue to introduce new breakthrough
innovations that will bring about new scenarios for years to come.
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation is a leader in the development and manufacture of
consumer products, information and communication systems, electronic devices
and components, power systems, and social infrastructure systems. The
company's ability to integrate wide-ranging capabilities, from hardware to
software and services, assure its position as an innovator in diverse fields
and many businesses. Toshiba has 165,000 employees worldwide and annual sales
of over US$54 billion. Visit Toshiba's Web site at
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.