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Microsoft Trademarks "Windows 365"
jones_supa writes The talks about a subscription-based Windows have begun again. With Windows 10 those ideas did not materialize in the way that many had speculated. Even though Microsoft has not fully detailed its Windows 10 pricing strategy, it is not believed that Microsoft is targeting an annual subscription charge for Windows at this time. However, it turns out that Microsoft has recently filed for a trademark for Windows 365, which adds a bit of fuel to the subscription based version of Windows. As of right now, Microsoft has only claimed this branding right, but as for what they will do with it, only time will tell. Deep inside the company, the idea is clearly still bubbling there.
... but what happens on a leap year? Will Windows be unusable on that day? I mean, more unusable than it already is.
You'll have the choice of paying extra for Windows 366 on those years, or else leaving your computer off for an entire day.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
"Windows 8 suxxxxxxs, what to do?"
"Windows 8.1 as a stopgap. And rush Windows 9 into production."
"No, we need to give the perception of totally abandoning 8. Skip 9 and call it 10."
"Might not be far enough. How about 360 like X-Box? Release in 2016."
"Nah sounds like a toy. How about Windows 365 -- The everyday computer for the everyman?"
"Everyperson."
"Ok, do it."
2016 rolls around. $2 billion in ads come out.
"Microsoft proudly introduces Windows 365! The everyday computer for the everyperson!"
"Oh my god."
"What?"
"2016 is a leap year."
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
I can picture the situation quite clearly: "I'm very sorry Mr. Surface Pro 5 Owner, but with the current release cycle your hardware will no longer be supported at the end of this year... and we do not offer subscriptions for legacy hardware." At least with Windows XP, Mac OS 10.5.x, etc "sunsetted" OSs can continue to be used (albeit with increased security risk) perpetually. Will Microsoft offer this same policy with 365 users as feature and requirements outstrip aging hardware? I think not.
Microsoft already tried the corporate subscription model with Win XP. Their marketing division talked a lot of their corporate customers into signing on to a 3 year contract instead of outright buying XP. The contract promised an upgrade to their next version of Windows, which was expected to happen 2-3 years after XP was released. Previous releases of Windows had been:
Windows 3.0 - May 1990
Windows 3.1 - March 1992
Windows 95 - August 1995
Windows 98 - June 1998
Windows 2000 - Feb 2000
Windows XP - Oct 2001
So roughly 2-3 years between releases. Most companies knew full well Microsoft was pushing a subscription model, and were wary. But Microsoft priced it so that considering you were getting two releases of Windows, it was a good deal compared to buying the licenses outright. Most signed the 3 year contracts in 2002-2003.
Vista wasn't released until Nov 2006 (volume licensing) and Jan 2007 (retail). More than 5 years after XP, and 1-2 years after most of those 3 year contracts expired. There were howls, mudslinging in corporate press, and lawsuits. I think Microsoft ended up extending those contracts by an extra year for free, which still left some customers out in the cold. And on top of that, Vista wasn't considered a very good upgrade so most companies ended up sticking with XP until Windows 7 was released in Oct 2009.
The companies which signed up for Microsoft's subscription model 3-year support contract felt they'd been royally screwed. It will be a cold day in Hell before they ever sign up for a Windows 365. This is also the best argument against a subscription model - the constant revenue stream makes life easier for accounting, but it destroys the market incentive for the company to make improvements, add new features, and release them on a timely schedule.