Microsoft and AMD Announce ``Pay-As-You-Go'' PC Program to Drive Personal Computing in Emerging Markets; Innovative New Business Model is Essential to Meeting the Goals of AMD's 50x15 Digital Inclusion Initiative.SEATTLE -- AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AMD) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ) today announced an agreement to jointly support flexible business models for emerging markets powered by Microsoft(R) FlexGo(TM) technology. The initiative reflects both companies' efforts to bring affordable access to technology to consumers around the world. At the 2006 Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. (R) Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle, the companies stated their commitment to support the initiative through a pilot program that provides consumers the opportunity to purchase PCs through a combination of innovative technology and a pay-as-you-go computing model. Through the joint development that is underway between AMD and Microsoft, Microsoft's FlexGo technology will also be incorporated within key AMD microprocessor products. "AMD's joint effort with Microsoft on pay-as-you-go computing will help us reach our shared customers with technology they want in ways they can afford," said Will Poole Will Poole (born July 24, 1981 in Beckley, West Virginia) is an American football cornerback. He was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Southern California. , senior vice president of Microsoft's Market Expansion Group. "We are pleased to embark on this new initiative together, utilizing AMD's deep knowledge of emerging markets to expand our trials to China, India and beyond." Today's announcement with Microsoft represents a key strategic component of AMD's 50x15 Initiative, which seeks to apply new and sustainable business A business is sustainable if it has adapted its practices for the use of renewable resources and holds itself accountable for the environmental and human rights impacts of its activities. models to help narrow the global digital divide. Through AMD's 50x15 Initiative, the company and its partners are building sustainable ecosystems that incorporate the full range of hardware, software, infrastructure, micro-financing, and entrepreneurial experience necessary to provide affordable, relevant technology to people in high-growth markets. "We've seen in our 50x15 Initiative learning labs around the world that consumers benefit most when companies develop flexible business models tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of people living in high-growth markets," said Dr. William T. "Billy" Edwards, AMD's chief innovation officer and senior vice president. Dr. Edwards is responsible for a diverse set of forward-looking efforts at AMD, including establishing a new set of businesses known as Innovative Systems, which focus on creating new solutions that will help expand AMD's ability to reach and serve greater portions of the global community. "Pay-as-you-go powered by Microsoft FlexGo FlexGo is a technology developed by Microsoft to enable users to pay for using a fully-featured personal computer based on the amount of time it used for, similar to pay as you go for cell phones. Another method of payment would be a monthly subscription. does exactly that by delivering affordable, modern computing technology to people around the world," Dr. Edwards continued. "We have seen great success under this same model with cell phones and we're very optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op that Microsoft and AMD will enjoy the same kind of success with PCs. More importantly, this new program will greatly accelerate AMD's 50x15 Initiative, which aims to connect 50 percent of the world's population to the Internet by the year 2015." Unveiled today, the pay-as-you-go computing model enabled by Microsoft's FlexGo technology allows customers to have a fully featured PC at home by paying only for the time as they use it through the purchase of prepaid pre·pay tr.v. pre·paid, pre·pay·ing, pre·pays To pay or pay for beforehand. pre·pay  ment n. activation cards or tokens. Microsoft has been
running trials of the program in Brazil for more than a year and will
soon be expanding to select markets in India, Russia, China and Mexico.
As Microsoft's lead technology partner, AMD intends to develop
processors designed specifically to support Microsoft FlexGo technology.
About 50x15 AMD's 50x15 initiative is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions that will help enable affordable Internet access See how to access the Internet. and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. With the global population estimated to reach 7.2 billion people in 2015, there is tremendous potential for 50x15 to bring billions of people into the digital age. Pay-as-you-go computing with Microsoft FlexGo extends current joint efforts by AMD and Microsoft to connect the world to accessible and relevant technology. AMD's Personal Internet Communicator The Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) is a simple and affordable consumer device designed by AMD in 2004 to allow people from the emerging countries like India, Mexico or the Caribbean to allow access to the internet. (PIC), for example, is now in use in every major region of the world and runs a modified version of the Microsoft Windows CE operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. . The PIC is just one of a fast-growing portfolio of devices that includes everything from modern 64-bit computers and servers, to thin clients and Internet access devices which will be enhanced by the upcoming addition of Microsoft FlexGo technology and capabilities. About AMD Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and consumer electronics markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to delivering superior computing solutions based on customer needs that empower users worldwide. For more information visit www.amd.com. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft, Windows and FlexGo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. |
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