Microsoft Launches Windows 8 in Singapore
New offers, apps and range of hardware options offers choice and opportunity for customers as Windows 8 becomes globally available.
Singapore – 25 October 2012 – Today, Microsoft announced the availability of Windows 8 for its customers in Singapore and around the world. Beginning on Friday, October 26, consumers and businesses worldwide will be able to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer: a beautiful new UI, a wide range of apps with the grand opening of the Windows Store, available on more than 1000 Windows 8 certified PCs and tablets.
Microsoft held the launch event at the Esplanade in Singapore showcasing the new Windows 8 on different vendor’s AIO and notebooks.
Helene Auriol, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore gave the opening speech at the launch event.
Windows 8 will be available for download to upgrade existing PCs in over 140 markets and 37 languages at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com, and at retail locations around the world including Singapore. Over 50 Windows 8 devices from a wide range of manufacturers including Asus, Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba – will be available at more than 120 IT retail stores across Singapore, including Challenger, Courts, Harvey Norman and Newstead. Customers will be able to choose from a range of new models, including notebooks, tablets, all-in-ones, touch-enabled ultrabooks and convertibles, all built for Windows 8.
“With the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft is unveiling a reimagined Windows to the world,” said Helene Auriol, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore. “Windows 8 delivers a no-compromise computing experience to individuals, families and businesses, where they no longer need to choose between the fun and convenience of a tablet and the power and productivity of a PC.”
Windows 8 – Many Shapes and Sizes
Windows 8 will be available in two versions at retail, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. And for our business customers, Windows 8 Enterprise offers new possibilities in mobile productivity with features like Windows To Go, DirectAccess, and BranchCache, as well as enhanced end-to-end security with features including BitLocker and AppLocker.
Launching at the same time is a new member of the Windows family designed for ARM-based tablets, Windows RT, which will be available pre-installed on new devices.
Windows 8 features the new fast and fluid Start screen that gives people one-click access to the apps and content they care most about, the entirely new Internet Explorer 10 that is perfect for touch, and built-in cloud capabilities with SkyDrive.
In addition to the range of new devices available, consumers can also upgrade their existing PCs. Through the end of January, consumers currently running PCs with Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, are qualified to download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of S$49.99 from windows.microsoft.com. And eligible Windows 7 PCs purchased between June 2, 2012, and January 31, 2013 in more than 140 countries can download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of S$17.99 with the Windows Upgrade Offer, available at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com. New Windows 8 licenses can be bought at all leading IT retail stores for S$89.00.
Windows 8 is All About the Apps
Windows 8 comes pre-installed with powerful apps, which include Mail, People, Calendar, Photos, Weather, Xbox Music and SkyDrive. An integral part of the Windows 8 experience is the addition apps that users can download from the Windows Store, be it productivity tools, news, or simply games. The cloud-connected Windows Store can be accessed via the Windows Store App on the Windows 8 Start Screen and is a central place for users to manage their downloaded apps across multiple Windows 8 devices.
Microsoft has officially opened its Windows Store for Singapore as part of Windows 8 launch today. At launch, Windows 8 users can immediately download quality local apps from Channel NewsAsia, The Straits Times, Stomp, NomWhere, Razor TV, Photo Monkey, SG Cab, NomWhere, SG Deal, Wego.com, SingTel, StarHub, Merlion Words and iProperty and many others directly from their Windows 8 devices.
Helene added: ”We have put in place a compelling app platform for Windows 8 users to customize their Windows experience, built on our strong ecosystem of app developers, IT partners and enterprise customers. Our partners and customers are very excited about the Windows 8 app and Windows Store opportunity. With the strong pipeline of quality apps that are submitted to the Windows Store every day, we are confident that Windows 8 users will have a good breadth of apps that makes Windows 8 central to their lifestyles.”
Windows 8 is ready for Singapore
A multi-million dollar campaign has been rolled out in Singapore to drive awareness and excitement about Microsoft’s latest OS together with hardware and retail partners. Microsoft kick-started the launch of Windows 8 in Singapore with a launch event held on 25 October at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. More than 600 Windows enthusiasts, partners and enterprise customers attended this Windows 8 Singapore launch event. Partnering with hardware and retail partners, Microsoft has also organized special Windows 8 zones in more than 20 major IT retail stores across Singapore from 26 to 28 October 2012 for consumers to experience and buy Windows 8 devices.