Microsoft's Fight Against Innovation

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2011-06-03 19:10:17 UTC
Modified: 2011-06-03 21:49:31 UTC

Barcode Summary: Realisation that Microsoft not only impedes development in software but also development in hardware, mostly for anti-competitive reasons (but spun as the opposite)

DEVICES which run Linux (sometimes Android) are likely to be hobbled by Microsoft's dirty schemes in which it pays hardware companies to impose artificial limitations. It helps show just to what degree Microsoft is against innovation; its dogmatic approach makes the products which everyone uses a lot worse and a lot more expensive. We coverred this throughout the week, but there is newer information now. According to this report, having failed in the hardware market itself, Microsoft is trying to gain influence over hardware makers (although it mostly fails because now they have other options to go to, notably Linux). To quote part of this report:

Microsoft wants to influence PC manufacturers over such details as the aspect ratio they choose for displays, where buttons and radio antennas are located, and even the width of the bezel, or rim, around the edge of the screen.

As we pointed out before, we are seeing Microsoft do just what it did a couple of years back when GNU/Linux was growing on sub-notebooks. Microsoft's Windows profits declined after that. Be prepared Microsoft to spin and lie about it -- pretending that the problem was GNU/Linux or Android itself and that Microsoft is doing this to offer "better experience" or something along those lines. Who is that a "better experience" for? Microsoft shareholders?

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2011-06-04 01:44:11

Trolls over at Pogson's blog spin Microsoft's manipulation of OEMs as an attempt to "standardize ARM platforms" and something that will be good for other OS like gnu/linux. They claim, despite all evidence to the contrary, that gnu/linux has problems booting on various ARM platforms. They don't bring technical details up because forcing OEMs to choose one and only one chip maker is a marketing deal designed to limit competition rather than to create any real standards.

ITWorld seems to be spinning Microsoft's massive power grab as Microsoft trying to be more like Apple. They do this because Apple, sadly, enjoys a good reputation for taste, reliability and relatively innovative, mass marketed gadgets. I can't really compare the details of secret agreements but Microsoft's industry wide deal is more threatening than most of the stuff Apple does and Microsoft's taste is usually awful. All those with brown Zunes can reclaim their pride by installing Rockbox or similar.

The ITWorld report about OEM Activation 3.0 is alarming.

Activation keys are a way for Microsoft to ensure people are using legitimate, licensed versions of its software, as part of its efforts to fight piracy.

Want to bet Microsoft's conditions include making sure each device is a jail that can never run gnu/linux or Android?

This just in, "Microsoft delays Windows 8 program after vendor outrage"

Microsoft has delayed its Windows 8 program after vendor outrage over the extremely tight restrictions that it would have placed on chip vendors and OEMs developing Windows 8 devices. DigiTimes is reporting that Microsoft has postponed its Integrated Development Program (IDP) for Windows 8 over the next two weeks. After undertaking further discussions with chip and hardware vendors, Microsoft expects to issue a revised IDP. Acer is one of the hardware vendors particularly unhappy with planned Microsoft’s restrictions.

See also Microsoft saying that Vista 8 won't be out in 2012, despite what Ballmer said.

Microsoft is going nowhere fast. Vista, Zune, Vista 7 and Vista Phoney 7 are in the toilet. OEMs are not going to give Microsoft more control in exchange for another loser.

Microsoft's Fight Against Innovation

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