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Microsoft OS Smart Phone for Developing Nations
YesSir writes "The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft CTO Craig J. Mundie and Bill Gates are talking about the idea of a specially designed cellphone that could be converted into a full-fledged computer through a connection to a TV and keyboard. They hope to use this product to bring computing to the masses in developing nations and be a Windows powerd alternative to Nicholas Negroponte's $100 free open-source powerd laptop."
Here's a great example of the closeminded view seen at Microsoft so often. He can't get his mind about the concept that to make a developing nation customer pay for their operating system, or for the software needed to use it, is a tad obscene when there's a free or nearly free alternative.
Crippling the hardware to make up for this software royalty (ever try producing a large document on a mobile phone screen?) isn't the answer. I'm not sure Negroponte has it right either - low cost PC boxes and CRT monitors that are unsellable in the West are going to be a cheaper alternative in the short term .
Looking forward, this does make business sense.
1. General purpose computing is not processor intensive (especially when you combine it with ASP style internet apps). We could fit it into a phone, easily.
2. This could drive more powerful and efficient processors for smaller devices. $100 is not improbable in a short time.
3. Cell phone penetration is good in developing world too (India/China). Its good to have a device with other uses too.
4. MS might have Windows Live! in mind. Ultimately this might be available world-wide, along with free subscription of Windows Live.
Overall, here is an interesting strategy:
1. Home Entertainment+ = XBox 360
2. Value+ = , Pocket PC, Windows CE
3. Servers = Windows on x64, IA64
4. Desktops and Laptops - Windows Vista
The interesting this is, there is very little overlap between the target markets here. And they have got all the bases covered.
Life is just a conviction.
Thanks, MS, for providing a nice refreshing dose of vaporware to make sure any competitor trying to do something innovative gets crushed.
Assuming the used machine runs on batteries powered by solar cells, pedals, small windmill, crank, etc.
You people need to get out of the city more. It would save me lot of time pointing out that in much of the world there simply no place to plug in a computer; and much of that world is exactly where this idea is targeted.
Infrastructure is not ubiquitous.
KFG
Here in Brazil today it's hard to find young people who don't have a cellphone. There are some problems like closed and no standard and shared SMS system (you can't send SMS in MSN/ICQ because of that), slow GPRS, very small market for applications.. but still there are a huge market for mobiles, cards (most people here use pre-paid system with cards that star from R$ 20 - kind of 8 U$, it's cheaper than having to pay every month, you have 2 months to use a card), download of tunes/music, etc. Current numbers talk about more than 80 millions of people with cellphones, from a total popullation of (aprox) 185 million. And microsoft is basically out of this market, nokia is the big player with symbian, and other like motorola and siemens follow. This is computing for the masses, a simpler, cleaner one sure, but you can have email, use WAP or opera mini to read slashdot. Now if they could get better prices for GPRS (it's R$5 for each MB), once more powerfull phones, like the ones running linux, arrive, people could tell goodbye for their big computers and phone lines.
It's a sort of FUD that is part of the MS method of Extend, Embrase, Extinguish.
The objective is to derail Negroponte's attempt to put computers into the hands of children world wide (who, while otherwise equal to you and I in the grand scheme of things, happen to have the misfortune of being born into poverty).
Why? Because Microsoft desperately desires to maintain its foothold on the third world. MS executives believe that if an Open Source operating system were to be distributed in large quantity to populations whom would no doubt become tech leaders in their respective countries that Microsoft would likely be poorly positioned in the future. In fact, they are so afraid of being unable to compete, they insist on going well out of their way to disrupt aid to underprivileged kids.
With this vaporware propoganda, they seek to undermine credibility in the Negroponte-platform and create the illusion of a superior alternative in order to give pause to adoption by influential world leaders.
Of course, the more skeptical among you may imagine: "Psst. You don't want some weird devices running unsupported software which is far too complicated for your people. Bah, silly open source mumbo jumbo! We've got something planned that might be better when we think about doing it later. Even other well-financed megacorporations in the telecom industry think its a good idea to rely on Microsoft solutions over cellular networks. Plus, your local energy monopoly believes wind-up solutions are not sustainable. I tell you what, Honorable Mwgabe... why don't we give you a nice vacation to think it over? Perhaps in a more relaxed atmosphere, you'll decide to tell the UN and other companies not to 'waste their time' supporting that silly initiative trying to put a practical and durable laptop in the hands of children everywhere."
Let Negroponte get going; you're not ready! If you develop something kewler in a couple few years, then spend your own massive war chest to distribute your solution for free. That'll put you back into a competitive position without preventing Good People(tm) from trying to help kids around the globe.
In a parallel universe, the Microsoft executives would lead, follow, or get out of the way. But no, they engage in Carlinesque obstruction.