News
Microsoft reinvents Windows
Andrew Wooden Oct 28 2008, 12:42pm
Comments (5)
Software giant releases details of new web-based OS, which could revolutionise the entire industry
Microsoft has unveiled its ‘game changing’ new initiative, which not only has the potential to transform the nature of operating systems, but the whole PC industry as well.
The software, called Azure, facilitates the transition from information storage on a personal hard drive, to a network of servers across the globe. This ‘cloud’ makes personal photos, videos and documents accessible from anywhere on the planet.
The technology already exists, and reduces the need for huge hard drives of stored data, or even a personal computer since all documents could be accessed and edited from any internet enabled machine. However with the full backing of such an influential player as Microsoft behind it, cloud technology looks much more likely to transform the IT landscape as we know it.
The move follows similar online-only software pushes from other tech firms, most notably search giant Google.
Details and initial code of Azure was released at Microsoft’s Professional Developer Conference in Los Angeles yesterday, with the intention being that the developers privy to it will develop a string of applications entirely housed within the internet.
The move represents a genuine change in strategy for Microsoft – which is built on the more traditional personal hard drive based software. However Azure will be launched alongside Windows 7 in a couple of years, proving the firm is expanding rather than replacing its core product.
“Today marks a turning point for Microsoft and the development community,” said Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s chief software architect. “We have introduced a game-changing set of technologies that will bring new opportunities to Web developers and business developers alike. The Azure Services Platform, built from the ground up to be consistent with Microsoft’s commitment to openness and interoperability, promises to transform the way businesses operate and how consumers access their information and experience the Web.
“Most important, it gives our customers the power of choice to deploy applications in cloud-based Internet services or through on-premises servers, or to combine them in any way that makes the most sense for the needs of their business.”
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Comments
“MS reinvents windows”
Posted by: Phill - Oct 28, 1:17pm
"How safe will all this be...?"
We know hackers en all, seem duty bound to go where they please, so what about Azure and all our data stored on the 'cloud'?
“Sound like google”
Posted by: Craig - Oct 28, 1:18pm
Some what sounds like they are finally doing what google do with all their online apps.
Just bring some thing new to the plate that aint been stolen ideas from other companies
“...and the cost?”
Posted by: JimC - Oct 28, 1:34pm
MS are not best known for offering low-cost products or services and there's no doubt they see a great future in online apps and storage. The apps may be useful but I'd much rather keep my data on a hard drive (or two) thanks and not be locked into doubtless expensive, storage fees.
“Good for Fast Internet Access”
Posted by: Ed Tily - Oct 28, 3:14pm
Sounds great for all those with high speed access. I live on an island off the west coast of Scotland and there are many parts of the island who do not have access to broadband (farmers and more remote addresses), some are limited to 512K down 256K up. I live in quite a good area and I only get 1.5M down 336K up.
It can take ages just to download updates for XP or Vista. We'd never get anything done if everything needed internet access to make it work.
I'm sure that this would be a great thing for people living in cabled cities or operating off exchanges running fibre-optic cables to homes. Until Microsoft can persuade BT or the government to invest in modern cabling across the entire UK though, it has to be a non-starter for most users.
“Re: Good for Fast Internet Access”
Posted by: UK IT Reseller - Oct 28, 3:51pm
@3 – Actually, from what Ballmer said at his recent speech in London, you'll be able to choose what to store on your own PC/Data Centre. If you only want 10% of your company to be based in the cloud, that's fine, if you want it 100% then, again, that's fine.
However, Google's option isn't like that. It's 100% in the cloud or you **** off and lump it.
Granted, it remains to be seen whether or not that remains the case, but for once, I think Microsoft has got one over on Google with its offering.