Monday, January 08, 2007

Sonic Unveils Windows Vista Technology Preview

Sonic Solutions®, the leader in digital media software, today unveiled a technology preview that takes full advantage of new Windows Vista technologies to deliver a truly intuitive, interactive, and visually-rich user experience. Roxio Central, which serves as a core access point to digital media tasks across Roxio software products and offers digital-media recording and backup features, is one of the first applications to build upon and exploit Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), the presentation sub-system for Vista. WPF enables software designers and developers to create unique software applications that offer rich 3D graphics, animations, transitions and stunning visuals. Sonic is demonstrating the technology preview in Microsoft's booth (#7144) and by appointment in a private meeting room at the Renaissance Hotel (Copa Conference Suite A and B) during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 8th to the 12th. Sonic plans to provide the technology as a download from www.roxio.com and www.windowsvista.com later this quarter.

"We are delighted to extend our relationship with Microsoft and use the Vista platform to provide consumers a glimpse into the future," said Stan Wong, general manger, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. "Our early work with Microsoft's next-generation tools and technologies has helped accelerate the development of applications that exploit unique Vista capabilities that will revolutionize digital media experiences on the PC."

Roxio design and engineering teams, working closely with Microsoft, developed Roxio Central by taking advantage of the new programming model for Windows Vista, NET Framework 3.0, and participating in the early adopter programs for Expression Blend and Expression Designer, which are part of Microsoft's Expression Studio family of professional-design tools.

"Windows Vista is designed to fit people's lives. Our work with Sonic helps us deliver on the promise of personal computing," said Dave Wascha, director of partner marketing communications for Windows Client at Microsoft Corp. "We appreciate the support Sonic has provided at this year's Consumer Electronics Show to make people's lives easier and better connected."

"Working with Microsoft's new design tools and the WPF platform has been an empowering experience," said Paul Spallas, art director for product design, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. "Microsoft's next-generation technologies and applications help design and development teams collaborate more effectively. More importantly, they allow software designers to quickly and accurately turn innovative user-interface concepts into reality."

In addition to working with Microsoft on a Vista technology preview, Sonic's AuthorScript® engine powers the core media-recording functionality in the next-generation Operating System. Sonic is participating in the Vista launch with Roxio Easy Media Creator® 9, the company's flagship digital media suite. The product will be promoted by Microsoft at Vista launch events as a key productivity application. Easy Media Creator 9, which extends Vista with innovative features for digital media creation, management and enjoyment, will be demonstrated by Microsoft during CES in its Vista Partner Launch Pavilion.

Sonic will be providing demonstrations of Easy Media Creator 9 and its Vista technology preview at Microsoft's corporate booth (#7144) and in a private meeting room at the Renaissance Hotel. Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 is currently available from retail and online resellers globally, and from www.roxio.com.

About Sonic Solutions

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC - News; http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform-independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic's products range from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio®-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that have become the premier choice for consumers, prosumers and business users worldwide.

Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.

Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Roxio, and Roxio Easy Media Creator are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners.


Source: Sonic Solutions

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