Microsoft Said To Be Considering A Free Version Of Windows 8.1

Microsoft is looking at a cost conscious crisis, relative to both mobile and desktop hardware, and on the heels of the news that it might be reducing its Windows Phone software license fee, there’s new evidence that it’s looking at pursuing the same strategy for the desktop. The Verge reports that Microsoft has an experimental free version of Windows 8.1 called “Windows 8.1 with Bing.”

Windows 8.1 with Bing sounds like it’ll be a lightweight version of the full OS that focuses on bundling Microsoft apps and services in order to drive monetization through use of those, rather than through up-front software costs. This version of software would be positioned as a free (or low-cost) upgrade option for users still on Windows 7. It could also help PC makers with devices priced at under $250, which is a category that Microsoft is apparently targeting in order to help it compete with Google’s Chrome OS devices, including Chromebooks.

The nomenclature makes it sound like Windows 8.1 with Bing might be pretty heavily focused on the browser and its role as a potential platform play, so what we could end up with might look a lot like Chromebooks, in fact. This is all said to still be experimental, however, so it’s not guaranteed that it’ll ever hit the market.

Microsoft moving into platform distribution that doesn’t involve charging OEM partners licensing fees would represent a significant shift in its business, but the business models of its primary competitors pretty much necessitate the change. Google doesn’t charge anything for Android, for instance (though various license holders for tech in its use, including Microsoft, do charge OEMs to use it) and Apple has begun offering its desktop OS X software to end users for free as of the last major update.

For now, it looks like Microsoft will retain a paid tier for OS software and just offer low-cost or free options to capture more of the bottom end of the market, but if the focus shifts to software and services, we could be on the brink of a sea change that sees a larger shift to free when it comes to platform technologies.

Source : Microsoft Said To Be Considering A Free Version Of Windows 8.1 | TechCrunch

^Too much true to be false.

lol this is MS,very few believers and takers..

Why don't they bring out a free version of Win 7???

^^ There will be legal issues making win 7 free. And this is the post PC era.. win 8.1 is the future of windows.. if windows has any future at all.

I was speaking to broadband install guy, he said rarely any homes have PCs these days where he install broadband.. all homes had laptops.
And now people are moving to tablets, my parents want tablet no laptop any more for browsing, skype and everything else.

the only use of PC i see is for developers, and at workplace.. for photoshop, cad, design etc.

the kids i spoke too, aren't aware of PC gaming at all.. They know only tablet and phone games.
I met over 800 kids the other day. a small group of these kids had used the PC to edit the short movies they had made.

a_k_s_h_a_y said:
^^ There will be legal issues making win 7 free. And this is the post PC era.. win 8.1 is the future of windows.. if windows has any future at all.

I was speaking to broadband install guy, he said rarely any homes have PCs these days where he install broadband.. all homes had laptops.
And now people are moving to tablets, my parents want tablet no laptop any more for browsing, skype and everything else.

the only use of PC i see is for developers, and at workplace.. for photoshop, cad, design etc.

the kids i spoke too, aren't aware of PC gaming at all.. They know only tablet and phone games.
I met over 800 kids the other day. a small group of these kids had used the PC to edit the short movies they had made.

I grieve for the younger generation

S

^^^^Yep

Shiva

Nerevarine said:
I grieve for the younger generation

Actually, you should not. Saying this is like the previous generations who worked on university mainframe machines grieving for those who were part of the PC generation. But change is inevitable and M$ is trying to adapt. However, the PC will remain as long as intensive applications and enthusiast gamers exist.

S

Thank you Microsoft...<3

This would be so limited I guess.

its the only paid major os now

Finally! Duh
who wants to pay for their shat

The other versions would continue to exist. This one is mainly for chromebook type devices with no licensing fees a la Android.