I’ve just finished reading an article talking about the latest round of partners stepping up to develop plug-ins or add-ons to Windows Home Server.  For those of you who haven’t don’t know what I’m talking about – Windows Home Server helps families with more than one PC easily centralize, share and protect their digital pictures, music, documents and videos.  To put it more simply – this is the box that is going to sit in the closet/basement/under the stairs/somewhere out of the way and greatly simplify the in home experience.

“Digital devices and digital media are now an essential part of so many aspects of our lives, and their importance continues to grow,”  Bill Gates, WinHEC 2007

Here is a list of the partners that were mentioned:

• Diskeeper Corp.’s Diskeeper 2007 software will support Windows Home Server to enhance system speed and reliability. 
• Embedded Automation Inc.’s mControl software will integrate with Windows Home Server to help consumers manage home lighting systems, security cameras, climate control, and audio and visual components. 
• F-Secure Corp. software will interoperate with Windows Home Server to help protect consumers against computer viruses and other threats from the Internet and mobile networks. 
• Iron Mountain will integrate its data protection services with Windows Home Server. 
• Lagotek Corp.’s Home Intelligence Platform for home automation will support Windows Home Server. 
• PacketVideo Corp.’s PacketVideo Connect will enable DLNA 1.0-certified, DLNA 1.5-compliant and universal plug-and-play media streaming from Windows Home Server to a variety of entertainment devices in the home. 
• Riptopia CD loading service for Windows Home Server will convert and load a customer’s entire CD collection for storage and protection on Windows Home Server. 
• SageTV media server software for Windows Home Server provides a complete, “always on” digital entertainment experience for the enjoyment of personal media and online content on any TV or PC screen, at home or away, with SageTV Placeshifter software.

All I can say is WOW – this is truly going to change the digital lifestyle experience.

At the same time we announced the new partners, we also announced a new challenge called Windows Home Server Code2Fame with Cash prizes of up to $10,000.  Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver/challenge for more information.

The guys over at on10.net as well as channel9 are also talking about Home Server.

If you want to follow the latest news about Windows Home Server check out their blog: http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver and more specifically their links to the actual press release http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/archive/2007/05/15/winhec-billg-home-server-partners-and-jade.aspx.