Cool news on the side, especially for music lovers and composers: it’s the first time that windows based keyboard workstation will be played live at the Super Bowl - until 30 minutes ago I didn’t even knew we made or sponsored research for instruments, but hey… :) - The Consumer ISV team successfully supported numerous consumer ISVs announcing integration/support for Windows Vista, helping to promote the release of Vista for the following scenarios: Music, TV & Movies, Memories and productivity. Of particular interest is the Open Labs announcement regarding the use of it’s keyboard workstations during Prince’s performance on the Pepsi Super Bowl XLI halftime show on Sunday, February 4th, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. The event marks the first time that windows based keyboard workstation will be played live at the Super Bowl. Check out the press release for more information.

Prince NPG keyboardists Morris Hayes and Renato Neto will be playing Open Labs Gen3 MiKo and NeKo during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLI halftime performance; This first Windows-based Keyboard Workstation is the first musical instrument to use Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Documents for more info about Vista and music and consumer ISV support for GA: We supported 9 Partners/10 Press Releases featured on the Windows Vista/2007 Microsoft Office System Virtual Pressroom including:

• Cakewalk SONAR 6.2 First Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to offer native support for Windows Vista (.doc file, 34KB)
  Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces native support for Windows Vista, new features, and refinements in the free SONAR 6.2 update.
• EASTWEST’S Virtual Libraries Gain More RAM with Windows Vista (.doc file, 28 KB)
  EASTWEST (www.soundsonline.com), the industry leader in soundware development and distribution, today announced it is delivering five new additions to its Quantum Leap Virtual Instrument range: Gypsy, Pianos, Ministry of Rock, Stormdrum 2 and Voices of Passion, as well as the Fab Four Virtual Instrument.
• MaxxAudio Delivers Bigger Better Sound in Windows Vista (.doc file, 183 KB)
  Waves announced today that it is delivering its MaxxAudio PC solution for evaluation and licensing to major PC manufacturers. MaxxAudio is a suite of psychoacoustic technologies that enable small loudspeakers, such as those found in notebook PCs, to sound dramatically larger, deeper and more powerful.
• MOTU Ships Windows Vista-Compatible Virtual Instruments and Hardware Drivers (.doc file, 48 KB)
  MOTU, Inc. is now shipping Windows Vista-compatible drivers for all MOTU FireWire, PCI and USB hardware interface products.
• Propellerhead Software Announces Full Compatibility with Windows Vista (.doc file, 144 KB)
  After extensive testing, Propellerhead Software today announced that all Propellerhead software products are now fully compatible with Windows Vista. All applications comply to Microsoft’s Works with Windows Vista.
• Nero Announces Major Nero 7 Update as Microsoft Releases Highly-Anticipated OS (.doc file, 60 KB)
  Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announces major updates to its premier Nero 7 digital media software suite, which is Windows Vista Ready.
• New Pinnacle PCTV Tuner Kits A Must-Have For Complete Media Center Experience on Windows Vista
  Avid Technology inc. today announced that its consumer division, Pinnacle Systems, Inc., has expanded its Pinnacle PCTV product family to include the Pinnacle PCTV Tuner Kits for Windows Vista.
• Sonic Ships New Vista-Enabled OEM Products
  Sonic Solutions, the leader in digital media software, today released a new line of Vista-compatible photo and video products developed specifically for PC OEM’s for inclusion in the first wave of Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs.
• UNIVERSAL AUDIO RELEASES UAD-1 V.4.5.1 64-BIT DRIVERS FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP X64 & VISTA Sonic Ships New Vista-Enabled OEM Products
  Universal Audio, a manufacturer of high-quality vintage audio hardware and DSP software plug-ins for digital audio workstations, today announced the release of v4.5.1 software which is a preview (public beta) release focused on 64-bit driver support for Microsoft Windows XP X64 and the forthcoming new Microsoft operating system, Windows Vista.