Windows 8.1 With Bing Might Be Offered For Free - Will It Attract Consumers?
In a bid to persuade customers to upgrade to latest versions, Microsoft is planning to announce a free version of the Windows 8.1 operating system. According to a report in The Verge, a new version called âWindows 8.1 with Bingâ could be given away at a developersâ conference in April. This version will bundle key Microsoft apps and services. Early versions of the software have already been leaked online and it looks like âWindows 8.1 with Bingâ is an experimental project that will bring a low-cost version of Windows to consumers.
The report also suggests that Microsoft is aiming to position Bing-powered version of Windows 8.1 as a free or low-cost upgrade for Windows 7 users. This version may also be offered to PC makers as a part of recent license cuts. It is not completely clear on how committed Microsoft is regarding these plans but the experimental project is a part of its number of initiatives to push its cloud services and apps. Microsoft is largely betting on Bing as a platform, it can monetize in future. It is also considering low-cost or free versions for Windows Phones. Further, the company is mulling towards merging its Windows RT and Windows Phone software into a single version. Major changes have already been made to Windows 8 in order to make it more appealing to customers. It aims to make the new system easier for touchscreen users and give same experience across PCs, phones and tablets.
Bing-powered apps are currently bundled into Windows 8.1 and the leaked version of "Windows 8.1 with Bing" does not appear to reveal any significant changes. Recently, Microsoft launched its Windows 8.1 spring update and the company is expected to make a detailed update at its Build developer conference in April.
Should Microsoft ultimately decide to give away Windows for free? Share your views in comments.
Source: Microsoft experimenting with free version of Windows 8.1 - The Verge
The report also suggests that Microsoft is aiming to position Bing-powered version of Windows 8.1 as a free or low-cost upgrade for Windows 7 users. This version may also be offered to PC makers as a part of recent license cuts. It is not completely clear on how committed Microsoft is regarding these plans but the experimental project is a part of its number of initiatives to push its cloud services and apps. Microsoft is largely betting on Bing as a platform, it can monetize in future. It is also considering low-cost or free versions for Windows Phones. Further, the company is mulling towards merging its Windows RT and Windows Phone software into a single version. Major changes have already been made to Windows 8 in order to make it more appealing to customers. It aims to make the new system easier for touchscreen users and give same experience across PCs, phones and tablets.
Bing-powered apps are currently bundled into Windows 8.1 and the leaked version of "Windows 8.1 with Bing" does not appear to reveal any significant changes. Recently, Microsoft launched its Windows 8.1 spring update and the company is expected to make a detailed update at its Build developer conference in April.
Should Microsoft ultimately decide to give away Windows for free? Share your views in comments.
Source: Microsoft experimenting with free version of Windows 8.1 - The Verge
Replies
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Kaustubh KatdareFree may not be the best way to make Windows popular. uBuntu is being offered free of cost for long; but it hasn't really been able to gain bigger market share. One thing is sure; Microsoft's experimenting interesting things under new CEO Satya Nadella.
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Rajni Jain
I have a different thought on this,Kaustubh KatdareFree may not be the best way to make Windows popular. uBuntu is being offered free of cost for long; but it hasn't really been able to gain bigger market share. One thing is sure; Microsoft's experimenting interesting things under new CEO Satya Nadella.
A few days back Microsoft announced that windows OS price will be cut by over 90%; now 'THE NEWS' is they had made their mind to distribute 'Windows 8.1 with Bing' as freebie?
May be this is an attempt to fight with Open source community as well 😏
Nadella may be the reason behind the experimental strategy? -
Abhishek Rawal
Isn't Window RT = Windows Phone software ? 😨Chirayu SamarthFurther, the company is mulling towards merging its Windows RT and Windows Phone software into a single version
I am eager to see who will bring 'convergence' first : Canonical or Microsoft ? The one who does first & better will be ruling! And it seems that Ubuntu will do it better with it's new Mir display server!Rajni JainMay be this is an attempt to fight with Open source community as well 😏
Since MS is closed source, we don't even know what they're developing under hood for convergence, but in Ubuntu I been testing it regularly and it is improving! But I cannot expect convergence before October 2014. -
Rajni Jain
For me, This ('convergence') shouldn't be point to proof greatness, and actually we are not discussing who is better than who.Abhishek RawalI am eager to see who will bring 'convergence' first : Canonical or Microsoft ? The one who does first & better will be ruling! And it seems that Ubuntu will do it better with it's new Mir display server!
Who knows the attempt to make it free is a new step on business front (umm.... Not open source but something similar?)Abhishek RawalSince MS is closed source, -
Abhishek Rawal
Convergence is a BIG proof of greatness because it will change computing world. Think about one OS image that can be installed in desktop, netbook, tablets, mobile,TV, phablet ... any form factor! It is where OS future is leading.Rajni JainFor me, This ('convergence') shouldn't be point to proof greatness
(I don't think mark Shuttleworth is that dumb to go against Intel's Weston/Wayland technology & invest developers to work on Mir technology & code it from scratch for convergence)
I am sorry if I dragged debate in other direction. But, world(technology) is all about competition & innovation takes place only because of competition. So, if I don't compare two rivals then It won't be fair.Rajni Jainand actually we are not discussing who is better than who.
Yep, it might decrease price of gadgets shipped with pre-installed Windows. However, I don't think it will happen as large amount of revenue is gathered because of OS itself. Companies like Windows run by developers who are paid hefty amount & selling their work for free will hurt MS.Rajni JainWho knows the attempt to make it free is a new step on business front (umm.... Not open source but something similar?)
On otherside, opensource OS are community driven, lot of normal users & devs not working in Canonical (or Suse or Fedora or anyother project) give their time & skill in community to improve it, and they don't even care about income. -
Rajni Jain
Everybody in this world is not a techie person,Abhishek RawalConvergence is a BIG proof of greatness because it will change computing world. Think about one OS image that can be installed in desktop, netbook, tablets, mobile,TV, phablet ... any form factor! It is where OS future is leading. (I don't think mark Shuttleworth is that dumb to go against Intel's Weston/Wayland technology & invest developers to work on Mir technology & code it from scratch for convergence)
OS's are made for 10% of tech world and 90% of non-Tech world, what do you say about that?
Actually you should feel sorry, for an attempt for running the one of the most viewed thread for a pointless discussion.Abhishek RawalI am sorry if I dragged debate in other direction. But, world(technology) is all about competition & innovation takes place only because of competition. So, if I don't compare two rivals then It won't be fair.
Please stop this discussion here, and have another thread for that. -
Abhishek Rawal
This sentence was truth in 1990s. Scenario has changed now. Keep it 35-65 ratio 😉Rajni JainEverybody in this world is not a techie person,
OS's are made for 10% of tech world and 90% of non-Tech world, what do you say about that
Sorry for speaking my mind ? Never! I am only speaking the fact on what future OS will be like and trying to discuss anything related to OS & on state of convergence from author's sentence ofRajni JainActually you should feel sorry, for an attempt for running the one of the most viewed thread for a pointless discussion.
(which is nothing but convergence in technical term)Chirayu SamarthFurther, the company is mulling towards merging its Windows RT and Windows Phone software into a single version.
Who are you ?Rajni JainPlease stop this discussion here, and have another thread for that. -
Kaustubh KatdareEasy.
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Rajni Jain
Their is entire world for speaking your mind, as if you are trying to prove that you are a physics scientist by writing physics answer in chemistry papers...Abhishek RawalSorry for speaking my mind ? Never! I am only speaking the fact on what future OS will be like and trying to discuss anything related to OS & on state of convergence from author's sentence of
Who doesn't fear to speak the truth, no matter if its against the current or past staff members.Abhishek RawalWho are you ?
@#-Link-Snipped-# - Please pitch in to stop this and running a amazing thread. -
Kaustubh Katdare
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Jason Estibeiro
WinRT and WinPhone are not same.Abhishek RawalIsn't Window RT = Windows Phone software ? 😨
Windows RT is the Windows 8 version for tablets. An example of devices using WinRT is Microsoft Surface tablet series.
Windows Phone is an OS for smartphones. An example of devices using WinPhone is Nokia Lumia series. -
Abhishek Rawal@#-Link-Snipped-# Thanks for information 👍
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Madhava Verma DantuluriFinally, something been offering by MS.
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S.RAGHURAMGood thing , MS is offering something for people to go to 8.1
You are reading an archived discussion.
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