“Microsoft may be nearing a free Windows 8 release if recent rumors are true,” Robert Weinstein writes for TheStreet. “‘Windows 8.1 with Bing’ is an upcoming free version that Microsoft may be targeting at current manufacturers now installing Google’s Chrome.”
“A free scaled-down version of Windows does follow a recent pattern to position Microsoft software on a level playing field with Google’s myriad of free offerings. A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced several new budget-priced hardware partners in Asia including ZTE, Gionee, Longcheer, and Xolo. Microsoft also stated that Windows Phone 8.1 will allow the phone makers to operate Windows 8.1 on current Qualcomm powered Android hardware,” Weinstein writes. “In order to effectively compete against a free Android operating system in the budget arena, Microsoft must sell Windows Phone software incredibly cheap or give it away for free, and that’s precisely what some are saying Microsoft intends to do.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “David E.” for the heads up.]
I guess its the short or the long road to the graveyard for Microsoft.
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SPAM! REMOVE PLEASE! THANK YOU!
MDN, please delete this crap.
Yeah delete Ronald but not before delivering a really nasty wedgie and severe noogie patrol treatment.
Your sister must be a pig if she only gets $81 for an hour of sex. You should be pimping her on droid forums. And doing it in a computer must be downright painful.
“Google has picked Microsoft’s low-hanging fruit”
Google picked BLN?
Perhaps BRN hangs lower?
I think a free Windows could gain some traction but I don’t know how much it will help Microsofts bottom line…
They’ll make it up in volume. 🙂
They’ll make more charging fese to sell on their online app store.
Based upon the name it’s likely to be heavily ad-laden.
That’s an ugly image – Google Picking Microsofts Low Hanging Fruit
The next step in Ballmer’s cunning plan is to mail out hundreds of millions of free AOL style cd-roms containing a Windows 8 installer. Let’s see google compete with that kind of market share.
Unfortunately by the time they get around to doing so, CD ROMs will be ancient history.
MS faces the real prospect that everyone has moved to phablet software except for their workplace which still runs Windows XP or a lookalike. Irrelevance beckons.
Buffett said he didn’t understand the long term economics of a software only business like Microsoft.
Microsoft better get into hardware in a major way faster than they are now, but that take years to execute, so …
I have been Windows free for years…
Microsoft can still charge for its mobile OS, *IF* they can Guarantee it is Malware-Free, works Reliably All The Time, and they offer Good Quality Technical Support: all the things Android is not. Their Slogan: You Get What You Pay For.
Given the current state of Microsoft’s management, and their continuing Bumbling Efforts with Founder Bill Gates still hindering improvements at the company, it might take a Hurculean Effort even to get this modest idea across.