Digital Trends
After the critical pounding Windows Vista has received since its release – although Microsoft insist it’s been successful – there’s a lot resting on Windows 7, the next OS from Microsoft. And yesterday it offered a first peek at the system at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.
As well as saying it will offer a more personalized experience, Microsoft senior vice-president Steven Sinofsky described it as an "exciting new version of Windows."
So what does it do?
It is, according to Microsoft’s chief software architect Ray Ozzie, “Windows for the cloud.” Yesterday at Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles he gave the first showing of the company’s cloud computing service, named Windows Azure, which is Microsoft’s grand entrance into the cloud computing business, and due to be released in conjunction with the next OS, Windows 7.
Although Microsoft might have a virtual stranglehold on PC operating systems, it’s far behind in the cloud computing stakes. Amazon is already there, and Google with its Google Docs, is far ahead, leading Sam Shillace, who runs Google Docs, to tell the BBC:
Life has certainly led Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates down a fascinating path. Famous for dropping out of Harvard to start his own software company—back in the days when there really weren’t any software companies—Gates went on to become one of the world’s most influential businessmen…not to mention the richest man in the world. Love Microsoft, hate Microsoft, or feel conflicted about Microsoft, there’s no denying that in the last 30 years Bill Gates has played a major role in shaping modern business, the technology industry, and even pop culture and modern lifestyles. Now, Gates is moving on to focus his energies on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on charity and philanthropic efforts around the world. Yes: Bill Gates’ new job is giving away his money - full time.
Microsoft has launched a tech preview of its Live Mesh service, which is designed to keep a person’s documents and media synchronized across a range of computers and mobile devices, while at the same time letting users selectively share items or folders, chat with friends and family, and keep up on news and current events. Live Mesh envisions using the Internet—or, rather, Microsoft’s Web-enabled services— as a central hub or “cloud” for a user’s documents, photos, and messaging, and lets users access those items from any compatible Internet-enabled device. The Live Mesh preview is initially limited to 10,000 users on Windows PCs, but Microsoft plans to extend the technology to selected mobile devices…and even Macs.
In a move no doubt calculated to appease antitrust officials in Europe and the rest of the world, Microsoft has announced four key new interoperability principles it intends to implement across Windows Vista, it’s .NET framework, and mainstream server technologies. The new interoperability concepts are intended to increase the openness of Microsoft’s products and provide opportunities for developers—in fact, the company is promising it won’t sue open source developers for implementing key Microsoft protocols. Microsoft has launched a new interoperability Web site to detail the program to developers.
In a surprise move on Thursday, Microsoft sent out word to the press to prepare for a “significant” morning announcement via teleconference. Although the release did not include details on what the surprise announcement would address, it did rule out the possibility that it would be related to Microsoft’s recent failed bid to acquire Yahoo.
Attendees will include Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, chief software architect Ray Ozzie, senior vice president of the server and tools business Bob Muglia, and the company’s general counsel for legal and corporate affairs, Brad Smith.
Back in April, Redmond software giant Microsoft announced it would be taking on Adobe’s market-dominated Flash technology with Silverlight, a new interactive platform for delivering "rich media experiences" across browsers and platforms. Today, Microsoft released version 1.0 of its Silverlight browser plug-in , and has announced it will be working with Novell to offer support for Linux.
"Our expectations for compelling, immersive experiences on the Web are increasing daily," said Microsoft’s chief software architect Ray Ozzie, in a statement. "With today’s release of Silverlight 1.0, we’re making it possible for developers and designers to deliver to individuals the kind of high-def experiences they crave by integrating data and services in rich and unique ways."
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced today that he plans to step back from Microsoft’s day-to-day operations over the next two years to focus on charitable, global health, and educational work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“This was a hard decision for me,” Gates added. “I’m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever.”
The addition of Groove products to the lineup of Microsoft Office System products, servers and services builds on the capabilities of Microsoft’s current collaboration products, allowing Microsoft to better meet the needs of organizations of all sizes that increasingly are creating borderless project teams comprising employees, customers, partners, suppliers, contractors and others.
The acquisition also brings to Microsoft the development talent and technology leadership of top Groove executives, including founder Ray Ozzie, a creator of IBM Corp.’s Lotus Notes. Ozzie will assume the role of chief technical officer, reporting to Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, chairman and chief software architect, with responsibility for influencing corporatewide communication and collaboration offerings and associated platform infrastructure. Ozzie also will continue his work with the Groove team, which will be part of Microsoft’s Information Worker Group.
Everyone wants to be an insider, and you can be one too! Choose your poison: sign-up for our Newsletter, join us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. Do all three and you'll be swimming in the the latest news, reviews, videos and more gadget goodness!
Become a DT soldier! Join us on Facebook and share the best news, guides, videos and other cool information directly with all your friends. Some might even thank you for it!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Facebook.
Do you like information in small snippets? Then our Twitter feed is just for you. Follow Digital Trends and you'll be able to catch up daily on our latest content, or even interact directly with our team. Tweet Tweet!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Twitter.
That’s Right, Sign-up For Our Monthly Random Prize Drawings and You Could Be That Winner.
