REDMOND, Wash. — June 6, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the 102 finalists selected to attend the Microsoft Partners in Learning 2012 U.S. Forum. The educators will travel to Microsoft’s campus in Redmond, Wash., July 31 through Aug.1 to showcase the creative ways they are transforming learning through technology. An unprecedented number of applications were submitted this year, and the chosen innovative projects represent 25 states across the Pre-K–12 spectrum and include creative uses of blended learning, student video game design, professional development, flipped classrooms with students teaching their peers, and improving communications skills for those with autism and other special learning needs.

“These educators have applied the technology lens in trailblazing ways to develop real-world learning experiences that are certain to engage students and provide them with the 21st-century skills that will set them up for success, both in and out of the classroom,” said Andrew Ko, general manager, U.S. Partners in Learning, Microsoft. “Recognizing the unparalleled influence today’s teachers have on tomorrow’s leaders, Microsoft’s commitment to education is deeply rooted in empowering teachers with the tools they need to help students succeed and celebrating them as heroes in our society.”

These are the 102 finalists selected to attend the Partners in Learning U.S. Forum:

• Alaska

- Leigh Ray, Seward Elementary School (Seward)

• Alabama

- Kelli Etheredge and Marty Lester, St. Paul’s Episcopal School (Mobile)

- Gina McCarley and BeLinda Cross, Lawrence County High School (Moulton)

• Arizona

- Karen Mensing, Sonoran Sky Elementary School (Phoenix)

• California

- Daphne Bradford and Jacqueline Lopez, Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles)

- Alice Chen, Suzanne Middle School (Walnut)

- Diana Cornejo-Sanchez and Christopher Wakefield, High Tech High (San Diego)

- Gail Desler, Technology Integration Specialist, La Paz Middle School, and Natalie Bernasconi, English/Language Arts, Elk Grove Unified School District (Elk Grove)

- Jennifer Hogan, Visual and Performing Arts/Photography, Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto)

- Olga Kokino and Danna Coonen-Lee, University High School (Los Angeles)

- Angela Sveda, Ralston Middle School (Belmont)

- Gregg Witkin, Digital Media, Boynton Continuation High School (San Jose)

• Colorado

- Cheryl Arnett and Melany Neton, Sunset Elementary School (Craig)

- Neil Pollard and Karie Green, High Tech Early College (Denver)

• Connecticut

- Leslie Chausse, The Morgan School (Clinton)

• Florida

- James Bell and Denise Spence, Dunbar High School (Fort Meyers)

- Andy Goldstein, Omni Middle School (Boca Raton)

- Randy Lavery, U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School (West Palm Beach)

- Todd LaVogue, Roosevelt Community Middle School (West Palm Beach)

- Sylvia Martinez, Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School (Miami)

- Jamie Worrall, Christa McAuliffe Middle School (Boynton Beach)

• Georgia

- Robert Osborn, Margaret Harris High School (Atlanta)

• Illinois

- Susie Oh, Everett School (Lake Forest)

- Lisa Perez, Dept. of Instructional Tools & Technology, Chicago Public Schools (Chicago)

• Indiana

- Rodrigo Anadon, Penn High School (Mishawaka)

- Don Wettrick, Franklin Community High School (Franklin)

• Kansas

- Mary Durand and Tracy Rampy, Humboldt Middle School (Humboldt)

• Kentucky

- Meghan Bottom, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary School (Lexington)

- Jeanne Caudill, Mullins School (Pikeville)

- Shannon Putman, Cochran Elementary (Louisville)

• Louisiana

- Jennifer Bevill, LSU Laboratory School (Baton Rouge)

• Maryland

- Nancy Ale and Michelle Lipson, Earle B. Wood Middle School (Rockville)

- Brenda Green, Cabin John Middle School (Potomac)

- Ellen Krich and Ethel Bouloubassis, Roland Park Country School (Baltimore)

- Jacob Scott, Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring)

• Michigan

- Pauline Roberts and Rick Joseph, Birmingham Covington School (Bloomfield Hills)

- David Squires, Oak Valley Middle School (Commerce Twp)

- June Teisan and Alexandra Beels, Harper Woods Secondary School (Harper Woods)

• Missouri

- Krisandra Venosdale, Hillsboro Intermediate (Hillsboro)

• New Jersey

- Kimberly Leegan, Union Catholic Regional High School (Scotch Plains)

• New York

- Vincent Interrante, Mineola Middle School (Mineola) and Robyn Hrivnatz, Lamar ISD (Rosenberg, Texas)

- Christina Jenkins and Francesca Fay, NYC iSchool (New York City)

- Patricia Ragan, Canastota Jr. Sr. High School (Canastota)

• North Carolina

- Julie Conn, Sugarloaf Elementary (Hendersonville)

- Lorraine Ethridge and Stephanie Hall, The Fletcher School (Charlotte)

- Gail Holmes, North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (Raleigh)

- Kacey Sensenich and Kevin Combs, E.E. Smith High School (Fayetteville)

• Ohio

- Jenifer Conard, Springboro High School (Lebanon)

- Greg Martin, Cincinnati Country Day School (Cincinnati)

• Pennsylvania

- Lora Davis, Keith Valley Middle School (Horsham)

- Kelly Farmer and Tom Gaffey, High School of the Future (Philadelphia)

- Young Kim, High School of the Future (Philadelphia)

- Kate Reber, Bodine High School for International Affairs (Philadelphia)

- Peter Sigmund and Braden Bonner, La Salle College High School (Wyndmoor)

- Kim Sivick and Marisol Booth, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Philadelphia)

- Pamela Volakis, West Allegheny High School (Imperial)

• South Carolina

- Marion Myers, AC Moore Elementary (Columbia)

• Texas

- Joli Barker, Slaughter Elementary (McKinney)

- Sarah Collins and Jo Spark, Moody Elementary (Moody)

- Angela Kirkendoll, Martin Luther King, Jr. Early Childhood Center (Houston)

• Virginia

- Stephen Biscotte, Cave Spring High School (Roanoke)

- Amy Burk, Westgate Elementary School (Falls Church)

- Bonnie Ellis, York High School (Yorktown)

- Gaynell Lyman and Debra Roethke, Henrico County Public Schools (Henrico)

- Kelley Queen and Jennifer Thomas, York County School Division (Yorktown)

- Kimberly Rouse and Martha Potts, Newton-Lee Elementary (Ashburn)

• Washington

- Ericha Anderson and Alicia Cast, Vancouver Public Schools (Vancouver)

- Michael Braun, Rainier Beach High School (Seattle)

- Jac de Haan, Westside School (Seattle)

- Jamie Ewing, Mount View Elementary (Seattle)

- Caleb Gentry, Sequim Middle School (Sequim)

- Julie Hembree, AG Bell Elementary (Kirkland)

- Robin Lowell and Sherry Hahn, Washington State School for the Blind (Vancouver)

- Lindsey Own, The Evergreen School (Shoreline)

- Kathy Wright, Eastlake High School (Sammamish)

Presented by Microsoft Partners in Learning, the Partners in Learning U.S. Forum is an annual event that honors leading educators who enhance student success through the innovative use of technology in the classroom. Teachers who apply to attend are evaluated based on how their projects use technology to inspire students to think critically, collaborate and extend their learning beyond the classroom.

The event presents a unique opportunity for educators to share teaching best practices with peers from across the country, participate in hands-on learning sessions with Microsoft’s latest technologies and present their projects to a panel of judges. A select number of educators will win the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the Partners in Learning Global Forum in Athens, Greece, this November, where they will compete with teachers from around the world and gain global recognition. Last year, more than 250,000 applicants from more than 70 countries competed at national and regional events across the world to qualify for the worldwide competition.

BrainPOP, which creates award-winning animated, curriculum-based content to engage students, is the forum’s partnering sponsor. More information on the finalists and the educators’ classroom project selected to attend the Partners in Learning U.S. Forum is available on the Microsoft TeachTec blog. Activity and conversation about the forum can be followed on Twitter @Teachtec and at hashtag #pilus, as well as the Partners in Learning Facebook page.

About Microsoft Partners in Learning

Microsoft Partners in Learning is a 10-year, nearly $500 million commitment by Microsoft to help education systems around the world. Since its inception in 2003, the Partners in Learning program has reached more than 210 million teachers and students in 119 countries. Partners in Learning helps educators and school leaders connect, collaborate, create and share so students can realize their greatest potential. The online Partners in Learning Network is one of the world’s largest global professional networks for educators, connecting millions of teachers and school leaders around the world in a community of professional development.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash., and BARRINGTON, Ill. — June 6, 2012 — General Electric Co. (NYSE “GE”), through its healthcare IT business, and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) today announced they have completed the formation of Caradigm™, a 50-50 joint venture aimed at enabling health systems and professionals to use real-time, organization-wide intelligence to improve healthcare quality and the patient experience.

Caradigm will develop and market an open healthcare intelligence platform and collaborative clinical applications focused on enabling better population health management to improve outcomes and the economics of health and wellness. Plans for the joint venture were first announced on Dec. 7, 2011, and the final agreement was completed on June 1, 2012.

The Caradigm board of directors and leadership team, announced in February, is composed of executives from both parent companies. Caradigm will be led by CEO Michael Simpson, who joins the company from GE Healthcare. In addition, the companies today announced the appointment of Lauren Salata as chief financial officer and Michael Willingham as quality assurance and regulatory affairs executive for Caradigm. Salata previously served as the chief financial officer (CFO) and compliance officer of Care Innovations, an Intel and GE company based in Roseville, Calif. Willingham joins Caradigm from Philips Healthcare in Bothell, Wash., where he served as senior director of quality and regulatory affairs.

“The combination of people and technology from GE Healthcare and Microsoft will allow us to drive the dramatic change that is needed in healthcare,” Simpson said. “By forming Caradigm, we can offer innovative healthcare solutions, including an open platform and tools that enable software developers around the world to address the complexities of population health today.”

Caradigm will be located at City Center Bellevue in Bellevue, Wash., with significant presence in Salt Lake City, Utah; Andover, Mass.; Chevy Chase, Md.; and other cities around the world.

Additional information and news about Caradigm can be found at http://www.caradigm.com.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

About Microsoft in Health

Microsoft is committed to improving health around the world through software innovation. For over 16 years, Microsoft has been providing a broad portfolio of technologies and collaborating with partners worldwide to deliver solutions that address the challenges of healthcare providers, public health and social services, payers, life sciences organizations, and consumers. Today, Microsoft invests in technology innovation and works with health organizations, communities and over 20,000 partners around the world to make a real impact on the quality of healthcare.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 6, 2010 — Today during a keynote address at COMPUTEX, Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) division at Microsoft Corp., demonstrated the breadth of innovation happening across Windows and the Windows ecosystem. He announced the second community technology preview (CTP) for Windows Embedded Standard 8, unveiled Quanta’s new private cloud server solution, highlighted Ford’s launch of its award-winning SYNC in-car connectivity system for Taiwan, and showed off some of the latest Windows devices.

When it comes to delivering Windows technologies across PCs, servers, phones and specialized devices, Microsoft is taking a holistic approach by providing familiar tools and technologies that enable customers and partners to maximize their investments. To that end, Microsoft today announced the second CTP for Windows Embedded Standard 8, which delivers the power of Windows for specialized devices running line-of-business applications within intelligent systems. Windows Embedded Standard 8 encompasses tools for natural, immersive user experiences and the ability for OEMs to define and control the device capabilities, with additional technologies that extend the power of Windows on industry devices. The CTP is available immediately for download by visiting http://www.windowsembedded.com/wes8ctp.

Guggenheimer also underscored Microsoft’s collaboration with its OEM partners to realize market opportunities, including capitalizing on the ability to process data and derive business and operational intelligence. For example, Microsoft showed the new 2012 Ford Focus during the keynote to highlight the digital, connected car experience. The 2012 Focus will be the first Ford vehicle featuring SYNC available in Taiwan offering voice recognition in two languages – English and Mandarin.

As customers seek more immersive experiences across a range of devices, cloud computing becomes increasingly important. To address this need along with the changing economics of IT, Microsoft has worked with hardware partners to develop the Microsoft Private Cloud Fast Track program. Together with Microsoft, Quanta unveiled their next generation Fast Track hardware that includes integrated server, storage and networking equipment. This solution dramatically accelerates a business’ time to value, while decreasing cost, complexity and risk. With Quanta and so many other device manufacturers in Taiwan, it’s a center of gravity for hardware and device innovation. Microsoft discussed some of the latest design innovations including touch, sensors, glass, hinges and memory that have a huge impact on PC computing experiences.

Guggenheimer also talked about continued innovation across Windows 7 devices, showed off some of the hottest hardware designs on the market and announced that Microsoft has sold over 600 million Windows 7 licenses. He talked about Windows 7 as the best path to Windows 8, and how consumers can take advantage of the recently announced Windows Upgrade Offer. More information on the Windows Upgrade Offer can be found by visiting http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com. A sampling of some early Windows 8 hardware designs that OEMs are considering for the launch timeframe were shown on stage. Aidan Marcuss, senior director of Windows Product Planning, took stage to demonstrate ecosystem readiness for Windows 8 and all the work Microsoft is doing to provide partners with tools and resources across hardware, software, apps and services to ensure that Windows 8 devices will be amazing.

“This is the biggest launch time in Microsoft’s history,” said Guggenheimer. “In addition to updating Windows client, Windows Server, phone and embedded platforms, there’s a massive wave of software and services coming to market that we think will delight customers, from Windows Azure, to Office 15, Xbox games, Skype and Bing.”

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 5, 2012 — Multinational computer security company Kaspersky Lab, which is headquartered in Russia, announced it will increase efficiency by standardizing IT operations by migrating to Microsoft Corp. products. Deployed to more than 2,100 computers and 400 servers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and North and South America for Kaspersky Lab, the Microsoft products in this agreement signify one of the largest international contracts for Microsoft Russia.

“We have been using Microsoft technologies for many years and are very pleased with the results,” said Andrey Tikhonov, IT director, Kaspersky Lab. “The signed agreement is the next step for our company on the way to increasing efficiency using the newest technologies. It will allow us to unify our software and IT infrastructure worldwide, applying effective and suitable solutions.”

With Microsoft, Kaspersky Lab has been able to achieve the following:

• Shift to the cloud. Kaspersky Lab deployed a private cloud solution based on Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V and Microsoft System Center management solutions. With the help of Microsoft System Center, the environment became strengthened by a long-awaited leap to self-service and extended control abilities.

• Increase in demand for business management solutions. Kaspersky Lab successfully implemented a customer relationship management system based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The project management system based on Microsoft Project 2010 was also developed. With the combination of these two products, Kaspersky Lab successfully covered the demand gap between sales and internal project activities.

• Increase in interest in unified communications. Kaspersky Lab chose Microsoft Exchange 2010 and Microsoft Lync 2010 to build effective collaboration and to organize corporate audio- and videoconferences. They cover all major offices worldwide, which allows the company to maintain online decision-making processes and decrease travel expenses.

• Increase in demand for business intelligence solutions. Business intelligence systems based on SQL Server 2008 were rolled out in Kaspersky Lab to provide operations with raw data and to use embedded analytics. The company uses online analytical processing for strategic and tactical purposes.

• Improved datacenter management. Kaspersky Lab uses System Center to manage infrastructure. The use of Microsoft System Center allowed Kaspersky not only to automate routine operations, but also to bring them to a higher level, making them easier to control. The rich selection of management packs available for System Center added great value.

• Standardized workplaces to streamline operations. Migrating to Enterprise Desktop extended licenses, including Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010, has standardized workflow. As a result, Kaspersky Lab was able to increase the performance of desktops and office applications and achieve greater stability with reduced support costs and compatibility with a broad range of peripheral devices. Visual Studio 2010 and Team Foundation Server 2010 are planned to be used for software development, and the company’s TechNet Subscription Professional will be extended. IntelliTrace, a feature of Visual Studio 2010, significantly simplified development and testing processes under the pressure of fast-changing requirements. Kaspersky Lab can now respond to a change in business needs without extra time and effort.

“The agreement includes the full stack of Microsoft solutions, which will help Kaspersky Lab meet business requirements and standardize IT infrastructure. We are sure this agreement is a pledge of successful cooperation between our companies today and in the future,” said Nikolay Pryanishnikov, president, Microsoft Russia.

More information about how organizations are turning to Microsoft technology is available on the Microsoft Customer Spotlight newsroom.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

WASHINGTON — June 5, 2012 — AARP and Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of AARP Health Record, a security-enhanced online service designed to help people over 50 manage and improve their health. This new tool enables users to enter, store and edit their personal health information in a central location and to share it selectively with caregivers, family members, doctors and other healthcare providers.

Health Record, which is free to AARP members, makes it easy to create and maintain security-enhanced, up-to-date electronic records that can be accessed from an Internet connection. By storing all of their health information in one location, members can partner more effectively with their doctors and other healthcare providers, be better prepared for emergencies and reduce wasteful and redundant paperwork.

“AARP Health Record is designed to help our members better manage their health so they can focus on the things they care about most — enjoying the happiness and peace of mind that comes from living life to the fullest.” said AARP Vice President Nicole Duritz. “In today’s digital environment, AARP Health Record is the right resource at the right time.”

AARP Health Record will focus on giving AARP members a convenient way to track and manage basic health information, such as blood type, drug allergies, medications, and personal and family health history as well as emergency and provider contact information. Users can also print and carry an easy-to-read wallet card with their vital health statistics. The tool is available in both English and Spanish.

AARP Health Record connects to Microsoft HealthVault, a privacy- and security-enhanced online platform that enables individuals to compile and store personal health information from multiple sources in a single location, and to create additional profiles for their spouse, children, aging parents or anyone whose health they need to monitor or help manage. HealthVault account holders can select among hundreds of connected health and wellness applications to monitor chronic conditions and share data with their doctors, or track progress against wellness or fitness goals. For example, AARP members will be able to import prescription history from a HealthVault-connected pharmacy — like CVS Caremark or Walgreens — into their AARP Health Record, or choose to enter prescriptions manually.

“AARP is a trusted source of health information for millions of Americans, and AARP Health Record will establish the organization as a leader in helping people navigate the healthcare system,” said Nate McLemore, General Manager, Microsoft Health Solutions Group. “With this new tool, AARP will increase its value to members by offering them a better way to manage their health and the health of their families.”

AARP Health Record is part of a broader vision of AARP to develop online tools and services specifically tailored to AARP members and all people 50-plus, helping them manage their medications and chronic conditions and navigate the health system.

“This is the future of health care,” said Duritz. “Our members need information that is current and convenient, so they can ask smart questions and communicate effectively with the health-care system, whether they are in their doctor's office or halfway around the world on vacation. Health Record is a great resource for our members to use when interacting with the medical system—whether for themselves, their kids or their aging parents and other loved ones.” AARP Health Record is available at http://www.aarp.org/healthrecord and http://www.aarp.org/mihistorialdesalud.

About Microsoft in Health

Microsoft is committed to improving health around the world through software innovation. For over 16 years, Microsoft has been providing a broad portfolio of technologies and collaborating with partners worldwide to deliver solutions that address the challenges of healthcare providers, public health and social services, payers, life sciences organizations, and consumers. Today, Microsoft invests in technology innovation and works with health organizations, communities and over 20,000 partners around the world to make a real impact on the quality of healthcare.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

LOS ANGELES — June 4, 2012 — What if your tablet or phone knew what you were watching on TV and presented bonus features without you having to lift a finger? What if you could use your tablet to draw up a play in EA SPORTS’ “Madden NFL” and then perform it to perfection on your TV? What if you could control your favorite websites on the TV with a simple swipe, pinch or zoom on your tablet’s touchscreen?

To kick-start the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a bold new vision for enjoying entertainment at home and on the go with Xbox SmartGlass. Launching this year, Xbox SmartGlass is an application for Windows 8, Windows Phone, and other portable devices that connects phones, PCs and tablets with your Xbox 360 console to make your entertainment smarter, more interactive and more fun. (1) The intelligence of Xbox SmartGlass makes your entertainment more engaging, Web surfing more effortless, and playing games more immersive by delivering companion content and control to enhance your TV experience.

“Xbox is on a mission to make the entertainment that you love even more amazing,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “With Xbox SmartGlass, we are lighting up entertainment across your phone, tablet, PC and TV in a completely new way. If you love to play games, watch TV and movies, surf the Web, or listen to music, there has never been a better time to be on Xbox.”

Two years after the launch of Kinect for Xbox 360, Microsoft unveiled the next step in its journey to make Xbox synonymous with entertainment by unveiling Xbox SmartGlass, Internet Explorer for Xbox, and new TV, movie and music offerings.

The Web Transformed for TV

Microsoft will launch Internet Explorer for Xbox this fall in all countries where Xbox and Xbox LIVE are available. Through the power of Xbox, the magic of Kinect and the intelligence of Xbox SmartGlass, you will be able to surf the Internet using your voice on your Xbox 360 and navigate using your mobile devices for an incredibly easy Web browsing experience on the television. (2) Whether it is a new website you want to check out on the big screen, an HD video you want to share in your living room, or your favorite website you check daily and want to view in the 10-foot experience, you will have the power of the Web now on your TV.

Entertainment Keeps Getting Better on Xbox

Last year, Xbox added voice search powered by Bing and the power of Kinect, making it easier to find the entertainment you want. This year, voice search is expanding to 12 additional countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.

Adding to the current catalog of customized sports, TV, movies and music apps from world-leading TV and entertainment providers, this year Xbox will continue to deliver all the content you care about in unique ways.

Your Home for Sports

Microsoft announced more must-have sports experiences and content coming to Xbox this year, further establishing it as the home for sports fans everywhere.

• NBA Game Time with NBA.com League Pass Broadband (U.S.) and NBA League Pass (outside of the U.S.). Fans who subscribe to NBA.com League Pass Broadband will have access to hundreds of out of market live games (blackout restrictions apply in the U.S. and some international markets), plus highlights from around the league and up to the minute stats of your favorite players.

• NHL GameCenter LIVE™ (Worldwide except Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden). Hockey fans will be able to enjoy every moment of the live action as it happens on the ice, with live games (out-of-market and blackout restrictions apply), more in-game interactivity, and replays and highlights on demand any time.

• ESPN (U.S.). Later this year fans will enjoy 24/7 live programming through WatchESPN from ESPN Networks – ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3 and ESPN U. All the favorites, including “SportsCenter,” “SportsNation,” “The Mike and Mike Show,” as well as ESPN’s coverage of the NFL, MLB and the NBA, will be live on Xbox.

Xbox also announced regional sports provider SPORT1 coming later this year to Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

More TV and Entertainment

Today, Microsoft announced more than 35 new content partners launching on Xbox over the next 12 months, including:

• Absolute Radio – U.K.

• Ameba TV – Canada, U.S.

• BreakMedia – Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, U.K., U.S.

• Comedy Central Stand Up – U.S.

• Comoyo – Denmark, Norway, Sweden

• Corus Entertainment's Franklin the Turtle – Canada

• GameSpot TV – Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.

• Headweb – Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden

• Indie Flix – U.S.

• Machinima – All Xbox LIVE markets

• Napster – Germany, U.K.

• Nickelodeon – U.S.

• Paramount Movies – U.S.

• Picturebox – U.K

• Quickflix – Australia, New Zealand

• Rakuten ShowTime – Japan

• Revision3 – Canada, U.K., U.S.

• Rhapsody – U.S.

• RTL XL – Netherlands

• Slacker Radio – Canada, U.S.

• SnagFilms – U.S.

• Terra (Sunday TV) – Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico

• The AOL On Network – Australia, Canada, Netherlands, U.K., U.S.

• The Weather Channel – U.S.

• The Whistle – U.S.

• TOU.TV – Canada

• TV3 – Spain

• Twitch TV – U.S.

• Univision – U.S.

• Wuaki – Spain

• Youzee – Spain

Xbox Music revealed

Microsoft showed a sneak peek of Xbox Music, an all-new music service coming to Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Windows 8-based devices.

Xbox on Windows 8

This year Xbox will bring premium entertainment experiences to more than 180 new countries around the world when Xbox on Windows 8 launches, featuring four Metro-style apps: Video, Music, Games and Xbox SmartGlass. (3)

With Xbox on Windows 8, you can play games with friends and earn achievements, listen to music, and enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies wherever you go. (4) And with Xbox SmartGlass, you can start a movie or TV show on your Windows 8 device and finish it on the big-screen TV.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft’s premier entertainment service for the TV, phone, PC and tablet. It’s home to the best and broadest games, as well as one of the world’s largest libraries of music, movies, TV and sports. With Kinect, Xbox 360 transformed gaming and entertainment in the living room with a whole new way to play games and find entertainment — no controller required. More information about Xbox can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) Xbox SmartGlass is available with select games and Xbox LIVE content and requires Internet connectivity and compatible devices. Xbox LIVE Gold membership (sold separately) is also required for some Xbox SmartGlass-enabled content and features. Available Xbox SmartGlass features may vary by device. See http://xbox.com/live.

(2) Internet Explorer on Xbox requires Xbox LIVE Gold membership (sold separately).

(3) Available content and features vary across regions.

(4) Available content and features vary across devices. Games and media content sold separately.

Some information relates to pre-released product and services that may be substantially modified before commercial release. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.