Smile and Say 'XP'

Baldwin Louie — Mon, 13 Aug 2001 15:00:00 -0700

Microsoft had a Kodak moment over the weekend, deciding to revise the way its upcoming Windows XP operating system handles digital photos. Eastman Kodak had complained that XP's menus would make it too hard to find software or offline photo processing by anyone other than Microsoft or its partners. One of the people who heard the complaints out of Kodak's Rochester headquarters was Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who, since Judge Jackson has been muzzled, has emerged as the most vocal critic of Redmond on the federal payroll.

The story got plenty of play over a slow tech-news weekend, though many outlets ran wire copy. Reuters cited the Wall Street Journal, whose report by John R. Wilke paired the announcement with the other major Microsoft news of the weekend: a Friday filing by the Justice Department and 18 states, urging the appeals court to boot the antitrust case to a new judge, saying there was no reason for the Supreme Court to "disturb it, or even choose to review it." Microsoft, of course, is in no hurry, and it wouldn't mind if the Supreme Court scheduled the case on its 2004 docket, since it wants to ship Windows XP out the door in October without any surprises - such as the delay Schumer has been calling for.

Digital photography is one of the new markets, along with music and video, that critics worry Microsoft will creep into by leveraging its desktop monopoly. By throwing a bone to Kodak, Redmond shows that it wants to be a good neighbor to the established corporate honchos in their own niches, and may even get Schumer off its back.

The Associated Press managed to get Windows' lead product manager Jim Cullinan on the phone on Sunday, who said, "We worked with Kodak to make these changes, and we think these changes are good." A Kodak spokesman said Microsoft had made "significant positive changes" but Kodak failed to roll over completely, saying it still has "other concerns about Windows XP."

Microsoft, Kodak agree on photo services in Windows XP
SiliconValley.com (AP)

Microsoft, Kodak settle dispute
CBS MarketWatch

Microsoft Takes Steps To Reach a Kodak Deal
The Wall Street Journal
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Microsoft agrees to change Windows XP photo features
CNET

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Smile and Say 'XP'