Over 100 WIA-compliant scanners, digital cameras ready for Windows Me
The following announcement first appeared on the
Windows Me on PressPass
Web site.
Aug. 10, 2000: Microsoft today announced that more than 100
Windows® Image Acquisition (WIA)-compliant devices are ready for
Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), the next version of the consumer
Windows operating system, which is scheduled to be released September 14.
Leading manufacturers such as EPSON America Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Canon
USA Inc., Eastman-Kodak Co., Casio Computer Co. Ltd., Olympus America Inc.,
Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., Sony Electronics Inc., Intel Corp., and Philips
Consumer Electronics Co. are delivering devices supporting Microsoft’s WIA
architecture to provide users of Windows Me-based PCs with an easy, automatic
way to capture, create, store, and publish digital still images.
WIA, which will also be supported in future versions of Windows, provides
the Windows platform with a robust and extensive imaging infrastructure. It
simplifies the use of today’s imaging devices, including digital cameras
and scanners.
"Microsoft is thrilled to team with leading manufacturers in the
imaging industry to deliver the cool benefits of digital media to users of
Windows-based PCs in the home," said John Frederiksen, general manager of
the PC Experience Group at Microsoft. "As a result of the technology and
this collaborative industry effort, users don’t have to be experts in
digital media to create and share high-quality images on their Windows Me-based
PC."
WIA, introduced at the WinHEC 99 industry trade show, offers several
specific benefits to Windows Me users:
- Plug and Play capability: When WIA-compliant devices are plugged in,
they are automatically recognized.
- Organization: Images are automatically stored in one
easy-to-remember folder called My Pictures.
- Space-saving capability: With thumbnail preview, users don’t
have to download an entire batch of photos, but can pick and choose which ones
to save on their hard drive.
Microsoft worked with leading hardware-imaging manufacturers to develop the WIA
architecture and implement the technology into hardware and software products
that seamlessly integrate with Windows Me.
"Customers are asking for an easier way to capture, create, and store
digital images," said Sam Szteinbaum, business manager for Hewlett
Packard’s North American Consumer Computing Organization. "Hewlett
Packard is pleased to offer a range of products that will benefit from the WIA
architecture, allowing Windows Me customers to more easily create and share
their digital pictures."
"WIA is a fantastic technology that enables the automatic recognition
of scanners and digital cameras to help consumers use their new products right
away," said Tenny Sin, executive vice president of UMAX Technologies Inc.
"UMAX will offer WIA-compliant devices that take full advantage of this
technology to help consumers get the most enjoyable digital media experience
from Windows Me."
For more information see:
Windows Me is scheduled to be available in retail channels on September 14. In
addition, Windows Me will be available preinstalled on new PCs. More
information about Windows Me is available at
Windows Me on PressPass
.
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