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Windows 9 to Put an End to “Big Mammoth Updates”


Windows 9 is definitely going to bring quite a lot of changes to users worldwide, but one of the biggest modifications that Microsoft is expected to make to its operating system is a different approach in terms of updates and new features delivered to computers running it.


Basically, Windows 9 might be the very latest Microsoft operating system using the numbering scheme for its name, so instead of rolling out new stand-alone versions of the product every once in a while, Redmond might just improve a single one with regular updates.
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What does that do to Microsoft's revenue stream?

If they don't have a new OS to release every 3 years where is the money going to come from?
Are they going to start charging for updates or at least for updates that deliver new function?

Are they going to start charging for updates or at least for updates that deliver new function?
My guess is that they will charge an annual subscription price. Time will tell...

My guess is that they will charge an annual subscription price. Time will tell...
That's the feeling I get after reading that article too. They mention "like office 365" which is subscription based. So yeah, if they do that you'll end up paying if you want continued updates and upgrades.

I see a potential flaw with that though. Office 365 will run on just about any PC on the planet, Windows not so much. Some users are already stranded on Windows 8.0 with no way to upgrade to 8.1 because their processor doesn't meet the hardware requirements for 8.1. They can't upgrade even if it is free. Eventually More PC's will be unable to apply the latest update, what then? Some updates are prerequisites for any further updates. So what are you to do when you can't do the latest upgrade, buy a new PC just so you can continue to get updates?

That's the feeling I get after reading that article too. They mention "like office 365" which is subscription based. So yeah, if they do that you'll end up paying if you want continued updates and upgrades.

I see a potential flaw with that though. Office 365 will run on just about any PC on the planet, Windows not so much. Some users are already stranded on Windows 8.0 with no way to upgrade to 8.1 because their processor doesn't meet the hardware requirements for 8.1. They can't upgrade even if it is free. Eventually More PC's will be unable to apply the latest update, what then? Some updates are prerequisites for any further updates. So what are you to do when you can't do the latest upgrade, buy a new PC just so you can continue to get updates?
The hardware companies will be jumping for joy!

Windows 9 to Put an End to “Big Mammoth Updates”