Microsoft released on Thursday its Works Suite 2006, a collection of software from the Home Retail Division marketed as a time-saver for busy families to get the most out of their home PCs.

The release includes refreshed or new versions of several Microsoft consumer products. Among them: Upgrades of Digital Image Standard, which now supports video, hierarchical keywords, and labels for organizing photos; and Microsoft Money Standard, which now includes a multiple bill payment tool, which allows users to pay multiple bills from numerous accounts all at once. Other new additions to the latest Works suite include a sorting tool for Encarta and "Locate Me" technology for lost travelers in Streets & Trips Essentials.

Microsoft Works Suite 2006 also replaces the 2005 versions of Money, Encarta and Streets & Trips. It also replaces Picture It! Premium with Digital Image Suite 2006.

One feature in the new Works Suite that is leading many to scratch their heads, however, is the inclusion of Word 2002 rather than a more current version, such as Word 2003.

"The version of Word is 2002, the same found in four-and-half year-old Office XP, rather than the newer Word 2003," said Jupiter Research Senior Analyst, Joe Wilcox. "I do think the decision coveys a dangerous message: That Word 2002 (and maybe even Office XP) is good enough for most consumers and at a time Microsoft evangelizes Office 2003 and Office 12. I think Microsoft would have been better to offer Word 2003."

At $99.95, the new Works suite is nearly twice the price of the standalone Works 8 which includes a stripped-down word processor and spreadsheet program, calendar, and PowerPoint viewer.