We previously covered Pinoy Windows. At the Microsoft Philippines 10 year anniversary, PGMA called it “Bintana”, to the surprise of Microsoft officials.
But then:
It turned out, however, that Arroyo was accurate all along as it was Microsoft Philippines managing director Antonio “TJ” Javier who personally briefed the president about the “unheard of” product…. Sought for confirmation, Javier admitted “Bintana” is indeed a real project that will be launched “within the year.” “It’s just awaiting approval from the company headquarters in Redmond, Washington,” the official said.
The excitement comes in with the claim that the Tagalog-localized “Bintana” is not the very limited Windows XP Starter Edition:
But the Microsoft executive clarified that “Bintana” is a full and complete variant of Microsoft Windows unlike the Starter Edition that the giant software maker has introduced as an entry-level version in developing economies such as Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
He said “Bintana” has all the networking features of Windows lacking in the stripped-down Starter Edition. It is also compatible with all Microsoft applications, including English version of MS Office.
Today, Jojo Ayson of Microsoft Philippines denies it:
Speculation is always the stuff of legends. Let me put this issue to rest…
THERE IS NO SUCH PRODUCT AS “WINDOWS BINTANA”.
Microsoft is committed to providing the tools and technologies required to develop local IT economies and enable language groups to participate in this growth. One of these is our global initiative called the Local Language Program that fosters the development and proliferation of regional language groups, enabling them to preserve and promote their language and culture while benefiting from continuing IT advancements.
Right now, we are working very closely with our colleagues in Redmond to bring this program to the Philippines.
So what really happened at the Microsoft Anniversary? Political grandstanding?