Gala launch of Microsoft's new software

Acrobatics, blaring music and plenty of hype accompanied Microsoft’s long-delayed debut of its new Windows Vista computer system.

Hours before the software went on sale in New York, dancers clad in Microsoft colours dangled from ropes high above street level yesterday and unfurled flags to form the red, green, blue and yellow Windows logo against a building wall.

Later, two explosively loud, percussion-heavy rock bands riled up Microsoft enthusiasts amid flashing lights at the Nokia Theatre – temporarily renamed the Windows Vista Theatre – in Times Square.

As employees at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters watched live video feeds, company-coloured balloons dropped from the ceiling, a few wielding prizes. Vista was set to go on sale in 70 countries today, along with new versions of Microsoft Exchange e-mail software and the flagship Office business suite, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Several retailers had even scheduled midnight openings.

Earlier in Tokyo, about 80 people lined up last night at the Bic Camera Department Store to become among the world’s first consumers to own Vista.