Microsoft ( News - Alert), the most recognized name in the industry, which is committed to expand the possibilities for computing, announced that the company has chosen the name "Equipt" for a forthcoming package of products that includes its Office suite, Internet security software and other services.
The name comes from the idea that the package will help customers "equip their PC with a core set of services," said Bryson Gordon, a group product manager for Microsoft Office.
Equipt, which was formerly known by its code name, Albany, is an effort by the company to deliver Microsoft Office in combination with security and communication tools all with latest versions.
It is a new all-in-one subscription service of essential software and services that consumers can have with just a few clicks, says Gordon.
The whole package includes Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, which has the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for their personal and school projects; Windows Live OneCare to help keep viruses at bay and Windows Live Mail, Messenger and Photo Gallery. Albany also installs the Microsoft Office Live Workspace connector on the Microsoft Office toolbar, which enables users to save documents to their own dedicated online workspace which they can share.
Microsoft plans to initially sell Equipt in the U.S. on July 15 through Circuit City, with other outlets to follow.
Gordon said Equipt is aimed at people who are interested in purchasing a PC security suite – such as Windows Live OneCare – and might forgo buying Office as well in favor of using an older copy they might already have, or that they might pirate. "We're lowering the barrier to entry" for those customers, he said.
Equipt, the company says will be available in U.S through Circuit City, one of the nation's leading providers of consumer electronics for an annual subscription fee of $69.99. The company is yet to disclose about the pricing elsewhere.
Jai C.S. is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jai’s articles, please visit his columnist page.
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