Windows XP Unveiled in New York

With over 50 partners in tow, Microsoft on Thursday kicked off Windows XP in New York's Times Square. Alongside Regis Philbin, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and top industry CEOs, Bill Gates ushered in the biggest change to Windows in over six years. In his keynote address, the Microsoft Chairman highlighted improvements over XP's predecessors and said goodbye to DOS forever. "This is a version of Windows that will take the PC industry to new heights," Gates told the more than 1500 attendees.

Steve Ballmer commanded a similar event in London.

Windows XP combines the reliability of Windows 2000 with the usability of Windows Me -- minus the crashes. "Windows XP is the most powerful, fastest, most reliable operating system we have ever done. We've poured literally billions of dollars of development into this new product. That was based on the feedback we had from our users, based on a vision of new activities that the PC could enable," stated Gates.

Focusing on entertainment, communication and productivty, Gates invited Windows group head Jim Allchin to showcase customers using the new operating system. Allchin extended his gratitude for the feedback supplied by beta testers. "You helped develop this product and I really, really appreciate it," he said. Thank you."

Allchin also mused while reminiscing about his coming to Redmond. "I didn't think that this was the place for me. I thought maybe the right thing to do was to go to a company that believed in really reliable systems...So it's been an exciting journey for me and the team, and today we’re unleashing that real system, a system that’s more reliable, more secure and easier to use."

Windows XP upgrades run $99 and $199 USD for Home and Professional editions, respectively. The full version of Home Edition retails at $199 USD, with Professional demanding a heftier $299 USD. Professional adds improved networking capabilities and multi-processing support.

To get the word out, Microsoft has embarked on a $1 billion joint marketing campaign to promote Windows XP. From street vendors to giant billboards, Times Square was plastered with XP propaganda. Retailers began stocking store shelves in preparation for the festivities. Free RAM and antivirus software were offered to sweeten the deal for early adopters.

To end the day's events, Sting -- complete with a Windows XP backdrop -- performed to a packed crowd at Bryant Park. Thousands of New Yorkers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the concert.