New York - Microsoft on Monday launched the consumer version of its Windows Vista operating system, the most expensive software programme in the world which took five years and 7 billion dollars to develop.
The massive programme (it reportedly contains 50 million lines of code) were to go on sale at midnight in 100 launch events around the world, with one of the earliest launches coming in Tokyo where customers were reported to have lined up outside stores to get their hands on the new system.
Speaking to journalists in New York, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said he expected Vista to be the most successful launch in the company's history, selling twice as many copies in its first three months as Windows XP and five times as many units as Windows 95.
'By midnight tonight anybody in America can buy an upgrade or a new computer with Windows Vista installed,' Ballmer said.
Noting the changes since Microsoft first launched Windows 95 and Office 95 12 years ago, Ballmer said: 'Today the PC is the centre of how people control their digital lifestyle.'
Vista includes improved graphics, tighter security and integrated computer searches. 'We have focused on making the products safer with security, parental controls, and antiphishing,' Ballmer.
But some analysts question whether Vista offers enough improvements to prompt users to upgrade their computers. The programme is being launched in conjunction with a new productivity suite called Office 2007. Together the two programmes have accounted for some 90 per cent of Microsoft revenues.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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