Windows Vista
Update:
Software giant Microsoft Corp. is slashing its prices of its lawsuit-ridden product, Windows Vista. The cuts will range from 20 to 48 per cent. This will not affect customers who have had pre-loaded versions on their PCs — only those who bought the software directly from retail shops.
The lowered pricings are to coincide with the release of Vista Service Pack 1 in late March, which is a collection of security fixes and other improvements.
This came after court filings showed there had been internal disagreements amongst Microsoft executives on the marketing strategies of Windows Vista. The original lawsuit was allowed by a federal judge to be classified as a possible class action for labeling computers “Vista capable”, even though most PCs could not run all its features.
The Windows Vista launch suffered delays in January 2007. In order to keep consumers buying computers in the holiday season of 2006, Microsoft and PC manufacturers promised free Vista upgrades to customers who bought computers with Windows XP installed.
At the time, consumers were angry that Microsoft offered too many versions of the operating system. Their Home Basic version, which could be easily installed in most XP-enabled computers, did not have the cool Aero look and was priced too highly. Only about 30 per cent of XP-enable PCs could run the full Vista experience.
Microsoft expects sales revenue to increase despite the price cuts and claims Windows Vista is moving much faster.
Microsoft Windows Vista class action suit
PC buyer Dianne Kelley of Camano Island, Washington WA, is seeking class action status in a suit against Microsoft for its misleading marketing of low-end software Windows Vista.
Before Windows Vista was released, Microsoft let PC manufacturers label computers with “Windows Vista Capable” to alert customers know they could upgrade to Vista when it was launched. However, a lot of those PCs were only able to run Windows Vista Home Basic, a very stripped down version that does not have many of the slick features Windows Vista has, like the media center and enhanced graphics.
The suit reportedly alleges that Microsoft marketed all the attractive, deft functions of Vista could only be found in the later premium version. In this way, Microsoft used a “bait and switch” tactic to get consumers to upgrade their PCs, when the ones they bought could not run the newer software.
It was also thought that Microsoft chairman Bill Gates lent a hand in the deceptive marketing campaign. He appeared on The Today Show on 29 January 2007 when he announced that PC owners could upgrade to Windows Vista for less than US$100.
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