Vendors Rally While Windows Sleeps

Anti-Globalism sends along a PCWorld article outlining two technologies from Intel and Dell that do an end run around Windows. "Dell, Intel and their partners announced last week new technologies that represent major leaps forward for mobility. The companies seem to have discovered the secret to making such bold leaps: Cut Microsoft out of the deal. One technology involves enabling users to gain instant access to a laptop's e-mail, browser and other basic functionality — without booting Windows at all. The second technology enables an Internet-based message to wake a Windows PC from sleep mode. These new technologies are perfect metaphors for what's happening in the industry... Windows is asleep while Microsoft's own partners give users what they really want."

Comments

Re:It's the BIOS, not windows

[jackchance]

It doesn't matter if it's in the BIOS, or uses a second processor.

It does matter that it uses a 2nd processor that is very power efficient. I haven't used a windows laptop in a while, but if you just wake your computer from sleep how long does it really take?

I think the real advantage of this is battery savings from running on an ARM processor.

From the article:

If you use only the Latitude ON system, battery life lasts not hours but days, according to Dell.

Re:They're missing out on a great opportunity

[Anonymous Coward]

We'll get the next version of Windows a year early!

There was a delay in the release of Vista... and look how buggy it is. Now you want them to release it much earlier? I say, let them take all the time they need!

Re:Sensationlist much?

[ozmanjusri]

This is retarded and sensational.

No, this is just another example of how a monopoly impedes progress.

The fact that industry is having to work around Microsoft's stranglehold instead of simply shifting to another vendor is a sad indictment of governments' handling of an abusive monopolist.

Microsoft should have been split at the original DoJ antitrust case. It still should.

Re:Sensationlist much?

[ozmanjusri]

If Microsoft were adding features to Windows, like when they added an internet browser and media player, would you be happier?

Yep, provided they were:

1. Easily replaceable by OEMs
2. Easily replaceable by my own choices
3. Coded to follow open standards
4. Costed separately from the core OS (So I could save $10 by deselecting IE or WMP, for example.)

Those constraints would allow fair competition. If Microsoft were then able to produce better browsers and media players than the competition, they'd deserve my money.