"Microsoft Corp. today announced significant product line enhancements along with pricing and availability of the
Microsoft Expression Studio for creative professionals. Also Microsoft announced plans for iView MediaPro to become part of the Expression Studio in 2007. Here are some highlights of the announcement:
• iView MediaPro will become
Microsoft Expression Media.
• Expression Media will be cross-platform: For Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X.
• Expression Media will be available for purchase in the second quarter of 2007, either individually or included as part of the Expression Studio.
• The estimated retail price for Expression Media is $299 USD.
• iView MediaPro 3 will continue to be sold for $199 (USD) until Expression Media is released.
• Expression Media will be a free upgrade for registered users of iView MediaPro 3 (on both Mac and Windows). A free download will be available for those users for a limited period of time. iView MediaPro 3 customers will also be eligible to receive a discount on an upgrade to the full Expression Studio set of tools.
• Expression Media will include a new tool: Expression Media Encoder, a complete solution for the preparation, encoding and deployment of rich video and audio for Web and Windows experiences.
Expression Studio comprises
Expression Web for creating standards-based Web sites;
Expression Blend for designing rich interactive experiences for Windows;
Expression Design for the design of visual elements for Web and Windows experiences; and
Expression Media, the next generation of iView MediaPro which provides digital asset management and unifies team workflow across the suite. Expression Web is shipping today, and the full Expression Studio is planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2007"