Yesterday, July 2nd, 2008, Microsoft announced a new consumer targeted subscription service called "Microsoft Equipt". The program is priced at $69.99 per year, and will be available through Circuit City starting later on this month.

The Subscription includes what is basically the $149 Office Student and Home edition; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, along with a Microsoft Live OneCare, and a series of other live services.

Live OneCare is Microsoft's consumer anti-virus suite, which includes backup and restore capabilities.

The subscription allows you to install the products on up to 3 computers.

I just mentioned in our last show, that I thought Microsoft was going to start pushing really hard towards a subscription based model. I think this is really the early stages, and I bet we're going to see a really hard push in the business market, with some really competitive prices, really soon.

The Student and Home edition retails for $149. I looked around, and didn't see it, but I think you are allowed to install the student and home addition on at least 2 computers with one license.

Still, with the addition of a Anti-Virus, and subscription updates, I think that Equipt is going to become fairly popular. I hope Microsoft expands its availability beyond Circuit City though. (7/4/08 Update: The deal is going to be offered at other retail outlets in the future. Thanks Art)