Boulder (CO) - Highlighting a big Microsoft launch while trying to set itself apart from another, Electric Rain has announced Standout, a presentation slideshow application for Vista that aims to be a better offering than the new Powerpoint available in Office 2007, which also launched today.

Standout Presentation Solution was developed specifically with Vista in mind, and offers what it is calling next-generation slideshow presentations as it stands against the market leading Powerpoint.

"With Standout, not only do designers profit from the ability to create amazing custom templates with graphics that jump off the screen, but business presenters can now develop jaw-dropping presentations that engage all of the senses," said Electric Rain CEO Mike Soucie.

The application is broken into a design component and an editing component, allowing users to separate the basic design of a presentation and the content in the individual slides. Like Powerpoint 2007, a full slate of professional slide transitions and animations are available in Standout.

The software, which will initially be available exclusively through Electric Rain's website, is scheduled for a Q2 2007 launch, at "a selling price that is competitive with similar presentation and design software applications," said the company in a press release.