Microsoft Unveils Works Suite 2006

Microsoft updated its entry-level bundle Wednesday with new versions of several of the programs in the collection aimed at consumers and home office users.

Works Suite 2006 includes Works 8 -- a word processor, spreadsheet, database, calendar, and e-mail integrated package -- Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2006, Digital Image Standard 2006, Money 2006 Standard, Streets & Trips Essentials 2006, and Word 2002, the stand-alone word processor from Office XP.

Digital Image, an image editing tool, now handles video as well as still images, and can be used to burn CDs to make copies of photo or video collections, while Encarta features a revamped interface, said Microsoft.

Works 8, however, remains unchanged, and is the same small-scale home user productivity bundle as when it launched more than a year ago.

Works Suite 2006 is available immediately for $99.95.