Speaking at a software conference in London, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed that Microsoft plans to unveil a new operating system by the end of the month, dubbed “Windows Cloud,” although the official name and other details will be rolled out at Microsoft’s annual developer conference to be held in Los Angeles from October 27 through 30. The new operating system will be aimed at developers working on cloud computing applications, which have become all the rage as the industry shifts from “Web 2.0” to the next big thing. Cloud computing—with its promise to enable users to get to their communications, data, and media anywhere they can tap into the Internet—looks to be it.
Although Ballmer mainly teased about the new operating system rather than offering specific details, Windows Cloud appears to be aimed at helping developers build and deploy cloud applications, with the promise that developers will simply be able to build their application and, when they’re done, push it out into the “cloud” without having to deal with hosting services, application management, and the physical and logistical complexities of offering a cloud-based resource. Ballmer implied developers would be able to use Microsoft’s long-standing .NET framework to build applications that target browsers, servers, clients, and cloud platforms. Ballmer added that he sees integrating cloud capabilities into the Windows OS will enable new business models that will first take root in the consumer space, although enterprises will eventually get on board.
