Imaging Suite Hints at Future Services

Microsoft’s top-of-the-line digital imaging software, Digital Image Suite 9, released in Aug. 2003, has gained new organizational and storage functions. A Digital Image Library helps users acquire, create, edit, organize, share, and archive digital images such as photographs. Digital imaging features bear watching because of the likelihood they will be integrated into future versions of the MSN client and could be part of future Windows client versions, such as Longhorn, as Microsoft adds features that match Apple’s trend-setting “iLife.”

Why Digital Imaging Matters

While Microsoft makes money from its digital imaging software and digital imaging is the fastest growing consumer software category, of more interest is the role digital imaging plays in online services and as a potential feature of the Windows client.

Microsoft’s own entry-level digital imaging software, Picture It!, is the basis for MSN Photos, an online photo storage and organization service that was free until Apr. 2003, when it became part of the fee-based MSN 8 service. As Microsoft continues to look for ways to make MSN profitable and compete with other services, additional digital imaging features could be added to sweeten the pot and encourage users to subscribe to MSN.