Microsoft taps Canon to bring Vista into color

LOS ANGELES--As part of its effort to boost the graphics abilities in Windows Vista, Microsoft is expected to announce Tuesday that it has partnered with Canon to include an all-new color matching system as part of the new operating system.

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Rallying point for Redmond

Developers gather in L.A. to hear the latest on Windows Vista, Office 12 and more.

The Windows Color System is designed, among other things, to help make digital photo prints that better match the images that appear on the screen.

"There have been advancements made in the past to try and solve the fundamental problem that what I see on my screen doesn't match what I see from my printer," said Josh Weisberg, Microsoft group product manager. "Those advancements have helped for professionals and advanced users but didn't really do much for the rest of the world."

The new color system is part of several changes Microsoft is making with Vista that are designed to improve how Windows displays graphics. The other primary enhancements include its Avalon graphics engine, now known as the Windows Presentation Foundation, and its Metro printing engine.

Vista, the successor to Windows XP, is expected to debut in the second half of next year.

"It is a real focus to make Vista the best platform for imaging, presentation and graphics," Weisberg said.

Digital photography in particular is an area that Microsoft is targeting. The company already announced plans to support the uncompressed RAW files used by high-end digital cameras. And Weisberg said there is more to come, beyond the color system news.

"You'll see over time how this whole picture comes together," he said. "There are other pieces of this story coming that make this a really great platform."

Printer makers have had their own method for dealing with the fact that PC images don't match the prints--encouraging consumers to skip the computer entirely. Many printers from Hewlett-Packard, Canon and others contain small displays and memory card readers that allow people to print photos without a computer.

While Microsoft is trying to improve the graphics, it is also trying not to make obsolete all of the PCs out there, particularly corporate machines, that may not have such top-of-the-line abilities.

The company's answer has been to offer a tiered approach, with some computers able to tap all of Vista's graphics power and some older machines really not looking a whole lot different than Windows XP or Windows 2000.

"We want them all to take advantage of the other enhancements we made--security, performance, et cetera," Greg Sullivan, Windows lead product manager, said in a presentation Monday ahead of Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference here, which kicks off Tuesday.

Initially, Microsoft feared that many machines might not have the power necessary to show Vista's transparent windows and slick animations. However, because Microsoft has taken longer to get Vista onto the market, Sullivan said, many more people will see Vista at its best.

"The majority of the PCs that are shipping today will support the highest-end graphics," he said.

[jwmoreland]

Another Mac OS X catch up

Apple has had accurate color matching for years. I am glad they
are getting Canon to help. As a designer it's important that
clients can see a color accurate electronic version with out being
at the mercy of their monitor.

[jwmoreland]

Another Mac OS X catch up

Apple has had accurate color matching for years. I am glad they
are getting Canon to help. As a designer it's important that
clients can see a color accurate electronic version with out being
at the mercy of their monitor.

[jean.luc.picard]

what a hoot!

First a quote:
'However, because Microsoft has taken longer to get Vista onto
the market, Sullivan said, many more people will see Vista at its
best.''

Is this MS trying to spin the failure of the extremely late arrive of
Vista as a benefit to PC owners? Give me a break. LOL.

Secondly, aren't they about 15 years too late in bringing colour
management to the PC. Macs have had system level colour
management as a feature since the second half of the 1980s!

How generous of the author of this article to suggest that Vista
will be ready in the 'second half' of next year (next year!) when
even MS is suggesting that it will be near the end (yes, I know
that is still the second half) of the year. And pundits are
suggesting that it might even be later.

Frankly, I think they will not ship until 2007 because they will
have to wait to incorporate the new features of Mac OS X 10.5
which should debut in about 12 months.

[jean.luc.picard]

what a hoot!

First a quote:
'However, because Microsoft has taken longer to get Vista onto
the market, Sullivan said, many more people will see Vista at its
best.''

Is this MS trying to spin the failure of the extremely late arrive of
Vista as a benefit to PC owners? Give me a break. LOL.

Secondly, aren't they about 15 years too late in bringing colour
management to the PC. Macs have had system level colour
management as a feature since the second half of the 1980s!

How generous of the author of this article to suggest that Vista
will be ready in the 'second half' of next year (next year!) when
even MS is suggesting that it will be near the end (yes, I know
that is still the second half) of the year. And pundits are
suggesting that it might even be later.

Frankly, I think they will not ship until 2007 because they will
have to wait to incorporate the new features of Mac OS X 10.5
which should debut in about 12 months.

In a related story...

Microsoft has announced that in partnership with
Ford Motor Co. it has developed the
revolutionary Microsoft Wheel 2.0. Microsoft CEO
Steve Ballmer explains: "We asked ourselves
'where is the greatest opportunity for
innovation in the auto industry today?'
Something where Microsoft could leverage its
vast software development experience and apply
it to the automotive industry... What was it?
The wheel!"

Yes, Microsoft's Wheel 2.0 sports an innovative
quadralateral profile and reinforced concrete
cross-section that optimizes vehicle stability.
"We've completely eliminated roll-back,
flat-tires, and the new design even deters
theft," boasts Ballmer.

The new wheels will be featured on Ford's latest
SUV offering, the all new 2006 Ford Stationary.

In a related story...

Microsoft has announced that in partnership with
Ford Motor Co. it has developed the
revolutionary Microsoft Wheel 2.0. Microsoft CEO
Steve Ballmer explains: "We asked ourselves
'where is the greatest opportunity for
innovation in the auto industry today?'
Something where Microsoft could leverage its
vast software development experience and apply
it to the automotive industry... What was it?
The wheel!"

Yes, Microsoft's Wheel 2.0 sports an innovative
quadralateral profile and reinforced concrete
cross-section that optimizes vehicle stability.
"We've completely eliminated roll-back,
flat-tires, and the new design even deters
theft," boasts Ballmer.

The new wheels will be featured on Ford's latest
SUV offering, the all new 2006 Ford Stationary.

speaks volumes about canon's future

I have had a Canon printer (S820) And have loved it--until I moved to Linux. My search for Linux drivers has been fruitless, the reply from Canon was " we dont support Linux" My reply to them was "my next printer will NOT be a Canon.

speaks volumes about canon's future

I have had a Canon printer (S820) And have loved it--until I moved to Linux. My search for Linux drivers has been fruitless, the reply from Canon was " we dont support Linux" My reply to them was "my next printer will NOT be a Canon.

[Llib Setag]

Microspeak

Microspeak Translator 1.0

Future Shorthorn Avalon (Aero) = Existing Mac OSX Aqua

Future Shorthorn Metro Printing = Existing Mac OSX Liquid PDF
GUI

Future Windows Color System = Existing Mac OSX ColorSync
( developed in 1980s & updated through today)

Future MS Shorthorn "Vista" Wintel = Past Mac OSX 10.1

Future Wintel ? = 2006 MacIntel for Mac OSX + Windows + Unix
+ Linux on one computer.

Microspeak response = D'oh!

[Llib Setag]

Microspeak

Microspeak Translator 1.0

Future Shorthorn Avalon (Aero) = Existing Mac OSX Aqua

Future Shorthorn Metro Printing = Existing Mac OSX Liquid PDF
GUI

Future Windows Color System = Existing Mac OSX ColorSync
( developed in 1980s & updated through today)

Future MS Shorthorn "Vista" Wintel = Past Mac OSX 10.1

Future Wintel ? = 2006 MacIntel for Mac OSX + Windows + Unix
+ Linux on one computer.

Microspeak response = D'oh!

[Andrew J Glina]

One useful comment above

Why do you guys read and comment on these stories? Only one person (Wayne Wi) had a useful comment to make. If you don't like Microsoft then don't read the stories.

[Andrew J Glina]

Additional Point

Apple have a major bug going on with iTunes but the story has no comments (yet). Just shows that Apple fanboys have the most attitude. Get a life guys!

[Llib Setag]

Future MS Vista = Existing Technology

That's the point to my comments.

After your two comments, where's your contribution to the
article.
Typical, snipe at others with no ideas of your own, just like
Citizen Gates.

Also, MS HATES the success of Apple's iPod especially on the
Windows platform, Redmond drones have to hide their iPods on
Jurassic Park Campus in Redmond for fear of retribution.
After all the recent "security upgrade patches/band-aids" that
have been downloaded recently to plug the holes in the swiss-
cheese OS, do you think that maybe, just maybe, Citizen Gates &
Big Brother Ballimer have "updated" WinOS to NOT work with
iTunes for PC?
Put up or shut up troll....run along.

[Andrew J Glina]

One useful comment above

Why do you guys read and comment on these stories? Only one person (Wayne Wi) had a useful comment to make. If you don't like Microsoft then don't read the stories.

[Andrew J Glina]

Additional Point

Apple have a major bug going on with iTunes but the story has no comments (yet). Just shows that Apple fanboys have the most attitude. Get a life guys!

[Llib Setag]

Future MS Vista = Existing Technology

That's the point to my comments.

After your two comments, where's your contribution to the
article.
Typical, snipe at others with no ideas of your own, just like
Citizen Gates.

Also, MS HATES the success of Apple's iPod especially on the
Windows platform, Redmond drones have to hide their iPods on
Jurassic Park Campus in Redmond for fear of retribution.
After all the recent "security upgrade patches/band-aids" that
have been downloaded recently to plug the holes in the swiss-
cheese OS, do you think that maybe, just maybe, Citizen Gates &
Big Brother Ballimer have "updated" WinOS to NOT work with
iTunes for PC?
Put up or shut up troll....run along.

[sanenazok]

This should be left

to third party suppliers of printers and displays rather than the OS. Printer ink varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. As do displays. My Canon drivers support color matching as do the HP drivers I've seen. Windows should not be going into this business, since it will just do a poor job.

As far as Mac having this built in - it will also suffer from the same problems of ink variations, unless of course the hardware is all locked, which it mostly is. I guess that's the trade off on the Macs.

My mid-90's Lexmark printer had color matching (did MacOS 7.6?) - and it was under Windows 95. You could even buy a monitor calibration tool, but otherwise you used an onscreen method. I worked fairly well (until I had to buy ink for the monster).

[Andrew J Glina]

I agree

Having Canon help will give them a potential advantage over other manufacturers.

[Llib Setag]

Bill the Borg of "creative" computing

REPOSTING of past posting regarding the MS repeated attempts
to kill Adobe, Macromedia & Apple with regards to professional
publishing.
SINCE C/NET repeats their articles on their "sugar daddy" about
this topic, I think I can repost my thought on it as well...LS

Hello Adobe/Macro/Apple: It's MicroSith.
Posted by: Llib Setag
Posted on: June 20, 2005, 1:27 PM PDT
Story: Microsoft and Adobe to square off?
It is painfully obvious that Citizen Gates is out to be the Darth
Vader of creativity computing.

MS has attempted for years to topple Adobe & Apple in the
arenas of professional press publication, ColorSync, Acrobat &
digital photo / video processing.

Citizen Gates even went to the great lengths of buying millions
of photographic rights, building a huge digital photo database &
opening Corbis as his own company outside of MS, so he could
control & make billions of royalties from professional
photographers & publishing houses.

MS has lamely attempted to put out "prosumer" PhotoPC
software for years without success to the point that they have to
give it away with "Discount Dells".

Citizen Gates has also attempted to alter & undermine native
Java / Flash coding with "Windows-compatible" versions of their
own "interpretations" of Java/Flash in order to derail & dillute
NON-MS coding on the Internet.

Gates has recently be very public about developing an Adobe
Acrobat PDF killer-app within ShorthornOS in 2006/07/08/??.

MS doesnot have a built-in / included "Apple iLife Suite"
equivilant (not even close) with MSXP.

This is such a slimy attempt to kill Photoshop/iPhoto/RAW file
protocols within the entire digital creative industry in order to
have world dominance in the realm of digital media all being
"managed" through MSOS.

DOJ are splineless drones bowing down to the one they serve. All
Hail Darth Gates!

[Andrew J Glina]

But...

Isn't Apple trying to kill Adobe, Macromedia and Microsoft?

[rose petal]

llib setag

Hello Mr. Gates:

Rose Petal not around the rose

[rose petal]

llib setag

Hello Mr. Gates:

Rose Petal not around the rose

[sanenazok]

This should be left

to third party suppliers of printers and displays rather than the OS. Printer ink varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. As do displays. My Canon drivers support color matching as do the HP drivers I've seen. Windows should not be going into this business, since it will just do a poor job.

As far as Mac having this built in - it will also suffer from the same problems of ink variations, unless of course the hardware is all locked, which it mostly is. I guess that's the trade off on the Macs.

My mid-90's Lexmark printer had color matching (did MacOS 7.6?) - and it was under Windows 95. You could even buy a monitor calibration tool, but otherwise you used an onscreen method. I worked fairly well (until I had to buy ink for the monster).

[Andrew J Glina]

I agree

Having Canon help will give them a potential advantage over other manufacturers.

[Llib Setag]

Bill the Borg of "creative" computing

REPOSTING of past posting regarding the MS repeated attempts
to kill Adobe, Macromedia & Apple with regards to professional
publishing.
SINCE C/NET repeats their articles on their "sugar daddy" about
this topic, I think I can repost my thought on it as well...LS

Hello Adobe/Macro/Apple: It's MicroSith.
Posted by: Llib Setag
Posted on: June 20, 2005, 1:27 PM PDT
Story: Microsoft and Adobe to square off?
It is painfully obvious that Citizen Gates is out to be the Darth
Vader of creativity computing.

MS has attempted for years to topple Adobe & Apple in the
arenas of professional press publication, ColorSync, Acrobat &
digital photo / video processing.

Citizen Gates even went to the great lengths of buying millions
of photographic rights, building a huge digital photo database &
opening Corbis as his own company outside of MS, so he could
control & make billions of royalties from professional
photographers & publishing houses.

MS has lamely attempted to put out "prosumer" PhotoPC
software for years without success to the point that they have to
give it away with "Discount Dells".

Citizen Gates has also attempted to alter & undermine native
Java / Flash coding with "Windows-compatible" versions of their
own "interpretations" of Java/Flash in order to derail & dillute
NON-MS coding on the Internet.

Gates has recently be very public about developing an Adobe
Acrobat PDF killer-app within ShorthornOS in 2006/07/08/??.

MS doesnot have a built-in / included "Apple iLife Suite"
equivilant (not even close) with MSXP.

This is such a slimy attempt to kill Photoshop/iPhoto/RAW file
protocols within the entire digital creative industry in order to
have world dominance in the realm of digital media all being
"managed" through MSOS.

DOJ are splineless drones bowing down to the one they serve. All
Hail Darth Gates!

[Andrew J Glina]

But...

Isn't Apple trying to kill Adobe, Macromedia and Microsoft?