As
reported by News.com, in Beijing Bill Gates unveiled a new low-cost bundle of Office and Windows. Microsoft will offer the
$3 Student Innovation Suite to governments that agree to directly purchase PCs for students to use in their schoolwork and at home. The collection of software, which starts shipping in the second half of this year includes
Windows Xp Started Edition,
Office Home and Student 2007,
Windows Live Mail Desktop and several educational products.
The $3 price includes the software license.
In order to be eligible, governments must pick up at least half of the tab for the PC, though the software can also be used on refurbished computers, which can cost as little as $50. Microsoft is expecting these programs and others will help it reach more than 5 billion people who have yet to benefit from the PC revolution.
Microsoft is also announcing several other projects. It will nearly double to 200, the number of local innovation centers it has over the next two years. Microsoft will also set up an employability portal aimed at helping more of India’s technology workers find jobs. It is working with the Asian Development Bank to help build additional technology capacity.