Microsoft will develop a cut-price Windows XP edition for first-time users in the Philippines in order to promote the technology in the country, a Microsoft official said Thursday.

The Windows XP starter edition at entrance level is a simplified version of the Window XP operating system. The development of the starter version will begin this year but the time to release it to market is not fixed yet, according to Mark Yambot, Corporate Affairs Director

Microsoft has already offered similar Windows XP starter editions in Thailand, Malaysia, India, Brazil and Mexico.

Typically the starter edition allows three applications to run at same time and connection to Internet, but it doesn't support network printing and home network.

Pricing of the starter edition in Philippine language has not been set. In other counties the version is priced at around $ 30, less than half of Windows XP.

By People's Daily Online