<IT WORLD> Microsoft cranks up '7' hype
By Martin J Young
HUA HIN, Thailand - News of the release of a new Microsoft operating system has
never failed to generate excitement among both geeks and end-users alike. Since
Windows 95 revolutionized (at least for Microsoft customers) the operating
system and "desktop" experience, each new iteration of the world's most-popular
platform has sparked more fervor for information and technical specifications
prior to its release.
Microsoft has had its ups and downs with each of its operating system versions,
starting with Windows 98, then with ME, 2000, XP and now Vista, which seems to
have generated the most complaints. There may be light at the end of the tech
tunnel for disappointed Vista users, but the tunnel is long and the light may
just be another oncoming train.
Microsoft has made further announcements this week about Windows 7, the highly
anticipated replacement for its problematic Vista operating system. According
to a statement on Monday, the server version of Windows 7 will not be a major
release and will take on the name Windows Server 2008 R2. Usually, the R2
moniker is adopted when a product has been given an overhaul and it is not used
for a completely new operating system, which is what everyone is expecting from
Windows 7. So this leads us on a train of thought that ends at a station called
Vista SE (second edition), along the lines of Windows 98.
At the same time, Microsoft has made not made it a secret that it is developing
a Vista replacement and the company has admitted to having more than 2,000
people working on Windows 7.
Expect an enhanced version of Vista with a few funky features thrown in, such
as touch-screen technology or "pervasive multi-touch" as the gurus like to call
it. A new blog called Engineering Windows 7 is being written by Jon DeVaan and
Steven Sinofsky, the top two developers on the project, to showcase its
features and increase public awareness.
The features being touted, aside from smudged screens, include greater support
and connectivity with the Windows Live environment, which is a move towards
cloud computing, where everything is stored on centralized servers accessible
via the Internet, rather than on customers' computers; 64-bit versions of
Windows will be more common, to take advantage of multi-core processors, and
more than 4 gigabytes of RAM (the current limit on 32-bit operating systems).
Virtualization, former chairman and founder Bill Gates' favorite buzzword, will
make it easier for businesses to deploy and upgrade to the new operating
system, something most major organizations have struggled with in the past.
The Professional Developers Conference and the Windows Hardware Engineering
Conference in October will offer the first look at the technology behind the
new operating system, which has been slated for release in January 2010.
Microsoft cannot really afford to make any mistakes this time around. Vista has
not been popular and neither has the decision to stop selling Windows XP, as we
found out this week.
An example of the current wave of discontent comes from Taiwan, whose Fair
Trade Commission has launched an investigation into whether Microsoft is
abusing its monopoly to coerce consumers into buying Vista by halting sales of
XP, its more popular operating system.
The investigation follows an accusation by the Consumers Foundation that
Microsoft violated Taiwan's fair trade act by ending XP sales. Government
officials have stated, "We are just beginning to probe Microsoft's conduct,
looking at whether it uses the monopoly advantage in the market to sell Vista.
We want to ensure fair market competition will be maintained."
Microsoft consumers across the globe generally still prefer XP to Vista, which
has yet to hit the spot following compatibility and security problems and
despite some of these being resolved by its first service pack. Hopes are now
pinned on what could be lucky number seven for Microsoft, although we will face
a long wait before seeing if it causes another round of Windows woes.
Telecoms
Google's all new singing and dancing Android-software driven phone has been
making headlines this week following the long-awaited approval from the US
Federal Communications Commission. Carrier T-Mobile can now launch the product,
which should be in stores before the end-of-year holiday shopping season. One
of the largest mobile device makers in the world, Taiwanese company HTC is also
preparing for the launch of the new smart-phone, named "Dream".
The unit boasts a touch screen, Wifi, a full web browser and Google
applications such as Gmail, Maps and YouTube. Google has released version 0.9
beta of the platform to its developer community and the final version is set
for a September or October release to coincide with the Dream. Android software
is finally in the game but devices using it have a long way to go before they
catch up with the iPhone.
Another publicity campaign was launched this week by Google called
"FreeTheAirwaves". The movement will request that the Federal Communications
Commission reserve unused airwaves, called white spaces, for free public
broadband use.
Television broadcasters and wireless providers are against the idea for fear of
interference issues between signals. The FCC is expected to vote on whether the
airwaves should be shared by the end of the year. If Google's campaign is
successful it will open up more wireless broadband options in the US.
Martin J Young is an Asia Times Online correspondent based in Thailand.
(Copyright 2008 Asia Times Online (Holdings) Ltd. All rights reserved. Please
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