Microsoft bats for HD-DVD camp, joins Toshiba in new deal |
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Tue, 28 Jun 2005 16:05
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Microsoft Corp. and Toshiba Corp have announced on Monday that they will work together in designing new models of mobile personal computers. The companies will also collaborate in developing high-definition DVD players.
The Redmond-based software giant has been working with Toshiba, the world's third-largest notebook PC maker, for the last several years. The companies were working together on developing computers and other mobile devices. They had announced a cross-licensing agreement in May, whereby they could use each other’s patents on computer and digital electronics technologies.
On Monday, the two companies announced that they would consider working together on the development of HD DVD players. They plan to use Microsoft Windows software in this venture. This deal is a shot in the arm for the HD-DVD camp led by Toshiba over the Blu-Ray disc camp, which is led by Sony.
Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida said, “We are very excited to take our long-standing partnership with Microsoft to the next level. Our companies have worked together since Toshiba launched the world's first laptop PC back in 1985, and we enjoy a relationship rooted in mutual respect and understanding. We think the agreement will have practical benefits such as lower costs and shorter development times. We feel we have gained a powerful supporter on our side.” He was speaking at a news conference in Tokyo in which Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was also present.
However, Gates said that Microsoft remained neutral and was not pitching its support for either side. “Microsoft values our strong relationship with Toshiba, a company we admire for its long-standing commitment to innovation. This agreement demonstrates our desire to share our innovations with other companies in ways that promote the spread of new ideas - and benefit customers by accelerating the development of exciting new products,” he added.
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