Microsoft revealed a significant shift in its strategy yesterday, introducing two new and drastically different Windows products at its annual Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles.
Analysis: How to Microsoft's platforms fit together?
First, there is Microsoft's cloud-based Windows system, Azure, which takes the focus away from the individual PC and has Microsoft customers relying more on web services instead of desktop applications. Then, there is Vista's successor, Windows 7, which serves as Microsoft's next operating system (OS) - but without the bulk.
Azure is being billed by Microsoft as a cloud operating system, or an OS that exists within a network. Developers will create services and applications based on the framework. Consumers will then use those applications in a hybrid desktop-online manner, similar to how Windows Live Services such as Windows Live Photo Gallery function now. For example, you can access and manage your photo library via either a web browser or a Windows Live Photo Gallery - blurring the line between web service and desktop application.
Then there is Windows 7, slated for release in 2010. It presents users with a leaner OS, pushing consumers to rely more on Windows Live Services such as Windows Mail or Movie Maker. Gone will be the plethora of built-in software applications, with programs instead being downloaded a' la carte as desired.
Windows 7 and Azure Herald Web-Centric Era
As Microsoft works to move into the more network-driven world of modern computing, the two new approaches raise questions over the future of the operating system. Are the days of the heavy duty, client-centric OS coming to an end?
Both Azure and Windows 7 are designed to ensure you rely less on your PC's hard drive, though to varying degrees. The transition is not a surprising one, as competitors such as Google continue to make headway in the network-based business model.
"The Microsoft developments portend something that's been happening in the mobile computing world and in other parts of the IT world for quite a while," said Charles King, principal analyst with Pund-It. "Consumers of IT have become more and more disassociated from packaged software. So much of the way that people engage with information via the computer has to do with information sources and applications and applets that are really very amorphous."
Less bloat, more web
Still, for a company that last released an operating system bashed for its bulging nature, the products represent an undeniable 180 degree turn in tactics. The age-old idea of buying a computer full of applications will be replaced by a philosophy of: "You want it? Come and get it."
In Azure's case, the online reliance will be absolute - but even in the setting of Windows 7, which will still depend on a locally-based core, the level of internet integration is a step away from the package-defined OS we've come to know.
"It's critical for vendors like Microsoft to be ready for that and to find a way that they can continue to play and be relevant," King says.
Comments
Rioghal said: The age-old idea of buying a computer full of applications will be replaced by a philosophy of You want it Come and get it and we will charge you ya back teeth for it ha ha haLets face it It will have to be something special to encourage users to move from the relatively stable platform that is XPBring it on Bill and as with Vista we the buying public will give it the thumbs up or thumbs down
GarryF said: I do care where my data is stored I dont want it on Microsofts or Googles servers where I am not sure what is happening to it No Ill keep my hard drive and a back up on a seperate but secure medium thank you very muchAm I the only one who can see the power this cloud computing will give to a select few holding the masses data within thier grasp
Paul B said: Doesnt sound a very sensible idea Any power outage or a loss or reduction in speed in your broadband connection and you will not be able to access any of your data or use your applications Then if they do manage to persuade you I think that you will soon be paying a higher overall price as theyll not want to make the investment at their end without getting a good return Any volunteers to be held to ransom
Robin Kaye (Preston) said: An OS from Microsoft that isnt blOated - Ill believe it when I see it
GraemeP said: Why Azure Surely the sky is blue but the clouds are not So why name the cloud after the colour it most certainly isnt
Not-Really-A-Critic said: Im not really trying to criticise Microsoft or Windows in any way but this idea of Azure being a cloud OS has already been done as it were with Linux in the Ubuntu based distro gOS which places a lot of emphasis on using the internet as providing the a lot of core aspects of the operating system Ill wait until more information is released about Azure before judging but I think if this is a direction that MS is heading in then why should I probably have to pay for the use of online services which will probably be provided for free in the linux community
eon said: My big question in relation to Azure is about the possibility of extending the XBox Live ecology to work with Azure applications However since the XBox is PPC based I guess it wouldnt be a shoe in idea However if some of the concepts could cross over to the XBox then it could user in a new realm of usability just as web apps for the AppleTV via its own App Store of sorts would bring netcomputing to the livingroom It looks like a paradigm shift is upon us More so than the NetBook scene which is bringing back the form factor of the tiny computers of the 80s and 90s ie the PowerBook Duo series the tiny Toshiba computers of yesteryear and more
latenightviewerzZZ said: people really didnt see enough positive changes from xp with vista to warrant a move so hopefully the next op system fares a little better with true enhancements if not ill hope it doesnt just end up as being a new op system with change for changes sake cant say im that excited it does sound fairly interesting but the new op systems will have to be truly special to get people to move from xp or vista
itsdark said: 180 360 web based terminals main frames bill built the z8088 an then windows that allowed pcs in homes now what terminals in living rooms or pay by the min for apps an copy windows all u like