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Strategy Shift In The Air For Microsoft
mrdaveb writes "In the face of a declining market for MS Windows and MS Office, Microsoft's recent statements and acquisitions point to a future in which .NET is a key driver behind a strategy which will see Windows CE devices taking the limelight. This article explores the problems which Microsoft face in maintaining their stranglehold, and their likely route to keeping Windows on top."
The author suggests that Microsoft is moving to hardware independence with .NET apps running on the upcoming Cell processor and VirtualPC to run old non-.NET software. The Cell processor is a joint product of IBM, Sony, and Toshiba. It's hard to imagine Microsoft getting into bed with longtime foes IBM and Sony, while kicking Intel out from under the sheets and onto the floor.
Also, the author suggest that Microsoft has a version of NT4 that could be used on the allegedly PowerPC-compatible Cell. This flies in the face of what Microsoft has been doing for the last 3 years in developing the next version of Windows code-named 'Longhorn' which is being developed for x86 and x86-64 rather than PowerPC.
The author seems to be attempting to create the idea that Windows will run on Cell but that is not in anyone's plans and is not likely to ever be, unless the Cell performance is much better than even its hype. The Cell design seems to be adapted entirely to real-time processing of massive amounts of data rather than as a competitor for x86 processors, and will likely find applications in video devices, cameras, scanners, printers, copiers, automobiles, and similar embedded device applications rather than general purpose desktop computers.