[RUMOR] With Windows 10, The OS Becomes A Service Instead Of A Series Of Major Releases

[wakjak]

Don't know if it's been posted before but.

 

 

Microsoft is moving to a different kind of software model with Windows 10. A developer evangelist noted that Windows 10 would be the

[PGHammer]

Don't know if it's been posted before but.

 

http://techcrunch.com/2015/05/11/with-windows-10-the-os-becomes-a-service-instead-of-a-series-of-major-releases/#.gos5au:tcGP

It has been posted before - and, as much heat as Microsoft is taking for the approach, it is, apparently, what users want.

Even with Windows 7, there was marked resistance to a complete OS upgrade - instead, folks are quite willing to settle for small feature-light change, as opposed to large changes.  Evolution - not revolution.

[DeusProto]

Monthly fees? Hell no.

[margrave]

The subscription market in gaming is currently on its last legs.

 

The free to play market took over. Looks like MS is late to the show again.

[BajiRav]

How is this a [RUMOR]?

[Draggendrop Veteran]

Monthly fees? Hell no.

I'll second that.....

[Stoffel]

MS has stated repeatedly that they are not going to a subscription model with Windows 10

Once you are on Windows 10 you will get free updates for as long as your device lives basically.

[nosense]

Not this again....

[PGHammer]

Monthly fees? Hell no.

NOT monthly fees; instead, small changes, as opposed to large ones.  Updates (similar to the rolling-release model of Debian) as opposed to the big-release model Windows has followed traditionally.

[MikeChipshop Member]

I'm not sure how many more times Microsoft can say they're not moving to a subscription model. Are people actually ignoring them or what?

[firey]

I'm not sure how many more times Microsoft can say they're not moving to a subscription model. Are people actually ignoring them or what?

It's because MS has said that 10 will be the last OS release.  All updates and such will occur through windows update (akin to 8->8.1) and people aren't sure what that means for MS as the new OS releases are a big chunk of money for them.

[DConnell Member]

Monthly fees? Hell no.

 

When has MS ever said they're doing monthly fees? The article mentions Adobe Creative Cloud, but nothing states that there's going to be a subscription. Just because Adobe does it, and is mentioned in the article, that doesn't automatically mean Microsoft will follow suit.

 

I wish people would stop harping on this. At least until something official is stated on the subject.

It's because MS has said that 10 will be the last OS release.  All updates and such will occur through windows update (akin to 8->8.1) and people aren't sure what that means for MS as the new OS releases are a big chunk of money for them.

 

You'll still be buying it for new installs, and OEMS will be buying it for system building. Copies will still be sold, much as they currently are. Most people only upgrade when they buy a new system anyway, so this probably won't affect the bottom line much at all.

 

It's a pretty major jump to conclude that "constant updates" = "subscription model".

[MikeChipshop Member]

It's because MS has said that 10 will be the last OS release. All updates and such will occur through windows update (akin to 8->8.1) and people aren't sure what that means for MS as the new OS releases are a big chunk of money for them.

MS makes pittance from regular joe public upgrades. It's clear Microsoft's plan with regular users is to get them in to the ecosystem and make money of various store sales rather than the very low amount of money they make via licence upgrades.

People are just working themselves up in to a tizzy actively hunting out (or plain making stuff up) a grim future.

MS will never go to a subscription model, it makes no business sense.

[chrisj1968]

MS says this is the last relase of the OS. So this tells me that its moving to a linux like system of updating the OS through incremental updates.. so start with windows 10.1.0001.1 then through updates hit windows 11 by a year of small updates.

 

I think MS is using the linux model "almost". however using the apt-get-update linux context, Windows seems to be leaning this way.

 

will this be the death kneel to Windows? time will tell.

[MikeChipshop Member]

MS says this is the last relase of the OS. So this tells me that its moving to a linux like system of updating the OS through incremental updates.. so start with windows 10.1.0001.1 then through updates hit windows 11 by a year of small updates.

I think MS is using the linux model "almost". however using the apt-get-update linux context, Windows seems to be leaning this way.

will this be the death kneel to Windows? time will tell.

Out of interest, why do you think this may be a death nell?

[DeusProto]

MS makes pittance from regular joe public upgrades. It's clear Microsoft's plan with regular users is to get them in to the ecosystem and make money of various store sales rather than the very low amount of money they make via licence upgrades.

People are just working themselves up in to a tizzy actively hunting out (or plain making stuff up) a grim future.

MS will never go to a subscription model, it makes no business sense.

They are making money hand over fist with Office 365. So the logical next step would be for them to "ease" consumers into paying for major updates for Windows... Eventually. I will be shocked if in 2 years time there isn't concrete confirmation of Windows as a Service becoming subscription based. It'll probably be $4.99 a month by 2018 for the cheapiest tier (security updates) and $9.99 for feature additions.

[Guest]

will this be the death kneel to Windows? time will tell.

 

Face flipping palm.

[MikeChipshop Member]

They are making money hand over fist with Office 365. So the logical next step would be for them to "ease" consumers into paying for major updates for Windows... Eventually. I will be shocked if in 2 years time there isn't concrete confirmation of Windows as a Service becoming subscription based. It'll probably be $4.99 a month by 2018 for the cheapiest tier (security updates) and $9.99 for feature additions.

Apples and oranges. 365 is a piece of productivity software, Windows is now a multi device platform. They want you on that platform so they increase its usage and give them a much better route to market for other services and software.

[chrisj1968]

Face flipping palm.

 

face palm all you want. MSFT has made more mistakes in the last 10 or so years than ever before. Vista, 7 did well then 8 and 8.1. then 10.. which is a super steroid version of either a desktop or windows 8.2 version of windows and this being the supposed last OS release... msft has fumbled the football so many times I don't think they'll be able to right the ship. but that's just an opinion.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

MS makes pittance from regular joe public upgrades. It's clear Microsoft's plan with regular users is to get them in to the ecosystem and make money of various store sales rather than the very low amount of money they make via licence upgrades.

People are just working themselves up in to a tizzy actively hunting out (or plain making stuff up) a grim future.

MS will never go to a subscription model, it makes no business sense.

It is far too early to discount a subscription based model from Microsoft.

 

Office has already moved largely to a subscription based model and Windows may not be far behind. Of course, this would be easier for MS to accomplish if Windows 10 adoption is very strong on release due to the free upgrade window. It also isn't very clear yet how Microsoft would consider going about the subscription model. Possibly via a "freemium" model where certain features are unlocked when people buy in or if they will do it via services like Sky Drive.

 

If anything, the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 is strong indicator for MS going to a subscription based model. What remains to be seen is how that looks and what it entails.

 

Microsoft won't announce anything until they are ready to get it off the ground. The potential backlash would be too strong and could make the effort a DOA deal. Especially if they are hoping Windows 10 installs will make the transition easier on them.