Windows 8 application to promote tourist spots

CEBU, Philippines - The Microsoft Windows 8 Operating System will have a special application that will help promote the famous destinations in the Philippines.

Microsoft Philippines managing director Karrie Ilagan announced that the introduction of Windows 8 will not just provide the technology-savvy users with power and versatility to users, but it will also help the country, with its campaign “It’s more fun in the Philippines” be well promoted to the millions of Microsoft users around the world.

Cebu for instance, will be in this Windows Store application in the Windows 8 OS, with its “Amazing City Cebu” icon showcasing various things such as what to do, where to go and shop, among others.

According to Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines will be working closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT), in order to provide more applications that will also showcase other provinces in the Philippines.

Initially, Microsoft is eyeing 50 provinces that will be included in the tourism related applications under the new Windows Store, that will be accessed globally at least to the over 40 million Microsoft licensed users worldwide.

Ilagan was in Cebu recently to provide Cebuanos with additional insights on the power and versatility of the all-new Windows 8 and Microsoft’s latest innovation, the New Office, to help enhance their lives and strengthen productivity of the City’s local busines.

Windows 8 was launched in Manila last year in October and now available nationwide for all Filipinos in over 30 of Microsoft’s hardware partner devices, including Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.

“We are bringing our innovative solutions to the progressive City of Cebu to help users and businesses to seamlessly and effectively work towards enhancing their lives and strengthen the productivity of their businesses without compromise, said Ilagan.

“Windows 8 is the most tested, reviewed and ready operating system in Microsoft’s history. It is the platform that can seamlessly and effectively bridge the gap between PC, laptops, tablets and mobile phones, and this is something we’d like to share with every Filipino to help them live better lives,” she added.

Significantly, the inclusion of  Windows Store to the platform could also add excitement to the users, as it features thousands of apps, many of which have been developed locally to help enrich the lives of Filipinos.

Aside from the tourism related applications under the Windows Store, it also provides other local apps such as ABS-CBN, for the latest news updates, Sulit.com.ph, for great buys, SM Cinema, for convenient entertainment, BPI for banking services, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, for easy account updates, LBC for easy tracking of courier packages, Cebu Pacific, for fast and convenient travel purchases and more.

“Our objective is to provide the best experience Windows 8 has to offer which is why we developed local apps to complement the lives of every Filipino,” said Mae Rivera-Moreno, Windows Client Business Lead at Microsoft Philippines, in a press conference.

“Along with the no-compromise promise Windows 8 brings, these apps were created to ensure a seamless shift between work and play, as one shifts from his PC to tablet or mobile device. We are excited to share this local content and other global apps which are now all available in the Windows Store,” Moreno added.

Meanwhile, Ilagan said that Microsoft also reinforced its position as a leader in innovation and the Cloud by introducing another groundbreaking productivity solution with the arrival of the highly-anticipated New Office. (FREEMAN)