The news that Microsoft will launch a free version of the Windows 8.1 operating system has not been officially confirmed by Microsoft and is only hearsay. The Verge, the US Science and technology news website, quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that Microsoft would launch a free version of Windows8.1, which is currently being tested.
There are signs that Microsoft is adjusting the operating system's product strategy, and February 23, Joe-belfiore, Microsoft's operating system's partnership with the computer industry, released an official blog post about Windows8.1 's strategy for the PC industry, which says: "We will allow our partners to launch Low-cost hardware with excellent Windows experience at a highly competitive price level," he said. However, Bale did not disclose the level of "highly competitive price" in posting, as well as the price reduction of Windows8.1 itself, one of the costs of PC makers.
There have also been recent reports that Microsoft will slash Windows Phone's operating system license fee by 70%.
News frequently, quite "Shanyu" meaning. There is a real possibility that Microsoft is offering a cheap version or a free version of the operating system.
First, the operating system charging mode has become "old"
The trend towards free IT infrastructure is obvious, with Apple and Google moving to the operating system for free, with the profit model turning to hardware and service charges. This strategy has helped them to win large numbers of users in a short time.
PC side because of Microsoft's dominance in the operating system, whether it will adopt a free strategy has been a concern. But because operating system sales account for a large proportion of Microsoft's revenue, Microsoft has not been able to resolve to implement a free strategy.
The poor performance of Windows 8 forces Microsoft to find new solutions. Windows8 in Microsoft even compared to Vista. Enterprise surveys show that they want to upgrade directly from Windows7 to WINDOWS9. In addition, Hewlett-Packard also launched a Windows7 old version of the system notebook.
Putting a lot of camp into a product is a big risk in itself. If Microsoft can change its strategy, rely on free operating system to retain users, and then set up a platform to achieve service charges, not only for users, but also the long-term development of Microsoft more reliable protection.
Second, Microsoft free operating system is likely to bundle Microsoft services
There is news that Microsoft's free version of the operating system, Microsoft 8.1 with Bing, will be bundled with a whole host of other content and services, such as the Bing Smartsearch (Bing Smart Search) feature, that allows you to search for users ' PCs at once, OneDrive and Web content.
Microsoft has used various methods to attract consumers to use their services. The recently released Android phone Nokia X will be pre-installed with Windows OneDrive and provide free Skype calls. Nokia and Microsoft hope the move will attract Android users who have never touched Microsoft's smartphone app. If users can enjoy these apps, they will naturally want to try devices that have Windows Phone operating systems installed.
According to a report by the foreign media The Verge, some anonymous sources show that Windows 8.1 with Bing can provide free or low-cost upgrades for Win 7 users, and that the introduction of a free version of the operating system is also one of the steps Microsoft has taken to respond to Windows 8 failures.
Third, Microsoft needs to accelerate the transition to the mobile end
Microsoft's new CEO, Nadra, said in a media interview that "the future will be a mobile first, cloud-First World", emphasizing Microsoft to accelerate the pace of transition to the mobile Internet.
Microsoft had previously adopted a "cloud strategy" for multiple terminal devices such as PCs, laptops and tablets, but it has not been successful. Microsoft has not been able to transfer large users on the PC side to the mobile end.
The reason is not that the Microsoft operating system itself has a fatal flaw, but because Microsoft as a platform, not able to provide services to meet the needs of consumers.
Imagine, if the future of a large number of PC users to mobile phones, Microsoft operating system sales fell sharply, and the mobile end of the position is not established, Microsoft's situation?
Therefore, Microsoft adjusts the operating system operation strategy, enlarges to the application the promotion dynamics, this is the Microsoft Ego adjusts the need.
See more highlights of this column: http://www.bianceng.cnhttp://www.bianceng.cn/OS/home/