Microsoft's next OS to be subscription based?
Mikey 7 comments
Ars Technica are saying there is mounting evidence to support the long held theory that Microsoft's next operating system (Windows 7, codenamed 'Vienna' ) will be modular, meaning it can be subscription based.
What does that mean? Modular means the OS can be broken down into smaller components, which makes it very likely users will have to regularly pay for certain functionality. So we could be seeing messages like:
"You have selected the 'Control Panel' option. This feature is available for $2 per month. Click here to enter your credit card details."
OK so that might be a worst case scenario but you can easily see where this can lead. I'm not convinced just yet, but it wouldn't be the first time Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot. Worth a read.
Jim
Tuesday 25th March 2008 | 07:14 PMAt the least the subscription for games is for server upkeep and whatnot. Then again, that's why I won't play WoW or any other subscription based game. If done the right way, MS would release the OS for a fairly small fee and charge only for things your not likely to use. Office would be a great thing to bundle with Windows, but I won't pay for it, I like my Open Office tons better.
andrew
Tuesday 25th March 2008 | 08:17 PMand bill gates just gets richer...
Kim OJ
Tuesday 25th March 2008 | 11:27 PMSounds like a good way to chase so people of to Linux.
Angie
Wednesday 26th March 2008 | 07:13 AMI'm with you on this I'm not convinced either.
Mark
Wednesday 26th March 2008 | 08:21 PMGreat - this would open the doors to competition and in theory should make the OS cheaper because its cost won't need to cover so many freeloaders (ahem)
Jim - Just A Guy
Tuesday 25th March 2008 | 09:16 AMThis could get bad, real bad. However I think that we would see anti trust issues come up again if they were to charge on a subscription base. I blame it not on Microsoft but the subscription based RPG world that has made this an acceptable practice to sell some one software but make them continue to pay to use it. The gamers have doomed us all.