Updated: The alliance is intended to improve color fidelity and predictability, using Canon's Kyuanos technology.Microsoft Corp. and Canon Inc. unveiled a strategic alliance on Tuesday that will result in a new color management system for the forthcoming Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.
The new Windows Color System is intended to provide better color predictability and fidelity throughout the operating system.
This is especially important for screen-to-print matching as well as better color appearance overall on a computer's display.
The proliferation of digital devices that rely on color, such as digital cameras and color printers, prompted the alliance between Microsoft and Canon, the companies noted.
Pervasive use of color is no longer limited to designers but instead has become part of the mainstream, as consumers print out photos using special printers and work with color-based images with greater frequency.
The relationship between Microsoft and Canon is a natural outgrowth of how color is used in printing, photography and even with cell phones, noted Microsoft.
"WCS will improve the experience our customers have with color, providing greater color accuracy and predictability," said Josh Weisberg, group product manager of the Windows Client Division at Microsoft.
"Additionally, it provides a strong ecosystem for innovation among IHVs and ISVs, as it provides for consistent and reliable color matching across software applications, imaging devices, imaging media and viewing conditions," Weisberg added.
After forming the partnership, the two companies began working on several technologies for digital photography, including native support for Canon RAW images.
Other developments focused on areas such as connectivity based on XML Web services and products that used the XML Paper Specification.
Canon's contribution to the effort is with the company's Kyuanos technology, which is designed to support extended color space, greater bit depth and more effect color appearance.
By utilizing Kyuanos, the Windows Color System will sport a new color infrastructure and translation engine for Windows Vista that can compensate for differences in color that might appear among several devices, allowing for more uniform color reproduction.
"We are very excited that Canon's Kyuanos technology will help provide next-generation color management capabilities in Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista," said Masaki Nakaoka, chief executive of Office Imaging Products Operations for Canon, in a release. "Through this new alliance, we will continue to work with Microsoft to provide even more advancements in the field of color technology."
Polymer Vision touts new display technology. Click here to read more.
Users will be able to tweak colors through a centralized control panel, as well as a calibration wizard.
The system will also provide broad extensibility, according to Microsoft. This will give hardware and software developers the ability to enhance and extend Windows Color System to other applications and devices.
Having more reliable color could be a boon for consumers and professionals alike, noted Florida-based photographer Jeff Hawkins.
"It's a digital age, and that means that more photography will be processed through the computer," he said. "Obviously, having color that's the same on the screen as it turns out in print would be valuable."
In addition to assisting creative types with color enhancement, Microsoft also released on Tuesday a product that allows users to make lists of photos and turn them into slide shows that can be shared with other users.
Code named Max, the software is in preview release on the company's site.
Editor's Note: This story was updated to add company and expert comments.
Graphics Tools 
