Microsoft Announces Enhanced Windows XP Online Print Wizard to Enable Quick and Easy Pickup of Digital Prints at Popular Local Retailers

Microsoft Announces Enhanced Windows XP Online Print Wizard to Enable Quick and Easy Pickup of Digital Prints at Popular Local Retailers

Service Offers Consumers Greater Selection and Flexibility When Ordering Prints of Digital Photos From Windows XP

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To offer even greater choice and convenience for digital photography customers, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today announced the availability of an updated version of its Online Print Wizard, a feature that allows quick and easy ordering of prints from digital photos via Windows(R) XP. In addition to the mail-order service, consumers can now pick up their photo prints directly from their nearest photofinisher in as little as one hour (pickup times may vary by retailer and location).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

The Online Print Wizard has an extensible architecture that now enables photofinishing retailers to provide Microsoft(R) Windows XP users with the ability to order prints of their digital photos for pickup at any affiliated photofinishing retailer. This added service offering gives consumers even greater choice and convenience when ordering prints of their digital photos, and enables retailers to reach millions of current and potentially new customers.

Microsoft also announced today that Fujifilm's Get the Picture Online service is the first to be implemented into the enhanced Online Print Wizard, enabling Windows XP users to order prints of their digital photos and pick them up at participating Fujifilm retailers, including Ritz Camera Centers Inc., Sam's Club and Wolf Camera Inc. Fujifilm's Get the Picture Online service is available via Windows XP beginning this week.

"Microsoft has been working with retailers to make it easier to turn more of the millions of images stored on Windows XP-based PCs into prints," said Josh Weisberg, group product manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "We're working with the photofinishing industry to offer a solution that makes it easier than ever for consumers to connect to retailers to ensure they can enjoy and share their memories more easily and conveniently."

With the enhanced Online Print Wizard, photographers of all levels can enjoy a more robust digital photography experience with Windows XP. Once a photo or group of photos is selected in Windows XP, consumers can click on the Order Prints Online icon and choose to pick up their prints at the retailer of their choice, or have the pictures sent via postal mail to their home. Currently available only in the United States, the Online Print Wizard can be accessed by consumers via the Windows XP desktop. Similar functionality incorporated into MSN(R) Photos and Digital Image Suite 10, Microsoft's powerful, yet intuitive software for organizing, editing and archiving photo memories, enables those products to print directly to retailers as well.

In addition to in-store pickup, consumers will still have the option to receive mail-order prints from the Windows XP desktop through Fujifilm, Ofoto Inc. and Shutterfly online services.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Windows and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

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