01.13.10
Vista Mobile 7 Likely Delayed One Year; Vista 7 Always Rented, Not Sold
Summary: Microsoft’s vapourware tactics continue to expose themselves as key products are pushed back again and again; clarifications about “rental”, which is a permanent condition for all users of any version of Windows
THE mobile reality of Windows is rather pathetic and two days ago we wrote about several sources that say Vista Mobile 7 will arrive a year late (yes, “Vista Mobile”, like Vista 7, which perpetuates a failure). IDG News Service further fuels these projections in a new article titled “Windows Mobile 7 Delayed Until 2011?”
Google’s Android mobile operating system is stealing the spotlight from Windows Mobile 7, so much so that reports say Microsoft’s latest OS is delayed (again) due to Google’s success.
One day ago we wrote about the fact that Windows cannot ever be owned by its user/s. This is a point which is stressed quite strongly in the following new article form SJVN:
You might think that, as an individual user, you own the operating system that came on your PC — but you’d be wrong. You can’t sell the Windows that’s pre-installed on your PC. You can sell a used copy of Windows, if you bought a copy and then deleted it from your computer. So, for example, if you bought a copy of Windows 7 to upgrade from your old PC’s pre-existing Vista, you can’t sell that copy of Vista, but you can sell the copy of Windows 7. This is one of the many reasons I prefer desktop Linux.
Are we entering a generation when people actually own their software, thanks to the GPL? Google does allow rooting of one’s own Android phone, unlike the Hype Company.
This morning we shared one story about the implications of DRM-laden books — books that are falsely advertised as ones that can be “purchased” when in fact they are only being “licensed” (for access by a person on his/her one rigid device while it lasts, unless/until shot down or confiscated remotely). █
your_friend said,
January 13, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Happy January 13th, 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union we seem to be seeing the fall of another evil empire. At CES vendors openly displayed ARM devices running GNU/Linux. The iPhone stomping keynote speaker must not have been happy about that but there’s little he can do to stem the revolt. Microsoft’s programmers have not been able to deliver “job number one” security or stability despite a decade of lip service. Nor have they been able to catch up to free software GUI. People have not bought Vista or Windows 7 so there’s little reward for retailers and OEMs who remain loyal. There will be a few more punishments for companies and customers that part ways. There will be no end of empty threats but the rest of this story is obvious. Microsoft can’t compete and Windows users will soon resemble former Soviet victims, stumbling into the free economy. The walls have come down and change is in full swing.
Dennis Murczak said,
January 13, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Yep, in the free market sense, the x86-based end user market indeed closely resembles USSR and friends. Devouring or transforming it from below using a good dose of ARM can only change things to the better. We have had fat inefficient x86 boxes for long enough. It’s time for disruptive change and I think it will happen in the not too far future.
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Actually, I worry that the West (including the UK) is the new USSR. The world’s most advanced places are in the far east, where loans are being made to the West (huge debt that cannot be repaid). It’s also where a lot of production and export is centralised (except arms and “IP”).
your_friend Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 12:18 am
When and if China shakes off its censorship, we may have a better view of what’s really going on there. Until then no one really knows.
Microsoft’s downfall is a good sign for everyone. Information freedom makes it harder for tyrants to abuse the rest of us. There is a virtuous circle at work where freedom begets more of the same.