Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) took a giant step toward the release of Windows 10 as it revealed that it will be free for many current Windows users.
Microsoft will offer Windows 10 upgrades to current Windows 7 and Windows 8 users completely free for the first year after its official release. At present, a Windows upgrade costs at least $119.99.
The intention behind this move is to amalgamate the Windows ecosystem. Microsoft Operating Systems Group VP Terry Myerson at the Windows 10 Consumer Preview event said that "With Windows 10, we think of Windows as a service. The question 'what version are you running' will cease to make sense."
Microsoft’s goal is obvious, to perk up the rates of Windows 10 adoption and protect its sagging market share.
This isn’t the first time a major technology company gave away its operating system. Apple (AAPL) did much the same thing with free upgrades to existing OS X users for Mountain Lion and Yosemite.
Even when free upgrades are offered, users at all times do not take advantage of them.
This could be attributed to a lot of reasons: inadequate hardware, technical issues, personal choice, compatibility with apps and peripherals, lack of knowledge about the availability of upgrade, uneasiness with performing a major OS upgrade, and the all time favorite "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude.
Microsoft is just getting rid of one hurdle: cost. The others remain.
However, releasing the Windows 10 upgrade for free will be good for adoption rates. It will function as an "apology" for Windows 8 users who felt cheated by the system that failed to meet expectations and hype.
Also, about the company hasn’t said how much people will have to shell out when the time comes, whether for a full copy or an upgrade. That being said, Microsoft's spokespeople mentioned that Windows 10 prices will be attractive to both users and enterprises.
New Features and More
The company rolled out the Windows 10 consumer preview yesterday, showcasing several features in the newest version of the operating system that powers the majority of the world's desktop PCs.
One of the biggest announcements was a new web browser for Windows 10, codenamed Project Spartan. It'll be the primary browser in Windows 10 and will be available on PCs, tablets and phones.
Microsoft had already announced that it would bring back the much-missed Start Menu, but it was disclosed at the consumer preview yesterday that it would also have a full-screen mode that includes more of the Windows 8 Start screen.
More was learned about Continuum in the preview. The feature in Windows 10 will help so-called hybrid devices change from one mode to another.
With Windows 10, Microsoft is also bringing Cortana to the PC. Users will be able to access it via a search bar next to the Windows logo in the taskbar. Cortana is also built into Spartan.
Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of the Operating Systems Group, Joe Belfiore demonstrated how Windows 10 would work on devices smaller than 8 inches, which would have a special version of the OS tuned to the exact touch capabilities required.
Windows 10 will also have a novel method to handle photographs, indexing and giving users a "collection" view of their photos that indexes all of a user's photos across devices, and disregardingsreplicas in a thumbnail view. It will also mechanically augment a few photos, just like Google's (GOOGL) auto-awesome feature.
Phil Spencer, Xbox head, disclosed that there would be an Xbox app for Windows 10.
Looking Ahead
Starting next week, the consumer preview version of Windows 10 will be available for PCs. The version meant for phones will be available in February. A few of the Windows 10 features Microsoft showed at the event would not be available right away in preview builds of the software, but would will roll out in the coming 3 to 4 months.
Microsoft hasn't yet set a date for the general release of Windows 10, but it's expected to be launched in the fall.
Only time can tell whether Windows will rise like a phoenix from the ashes (Windows 8) or will it be a huge disappointment for users again?
Microsoft currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors can also consider Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) as it holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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