Microsoft To Release Low-Cost Windows 10 With Bing Branding

jones_supa writes: Linux-based Chromebooks have experienced a huge growth in sales during the last couple of years, so much that Microsoft is getting nervous. The company is working with partners to bring cheaper devices to the market, and part of this plan is Windows 10 with Bing, a special version of the new operating system that would only be addressed to original equipment manufacturers. This low-price basic version of Windows comes with hardcoded Bing branding, although the search engine can be changed by the user. Microsoft wants Windows 10 to be installed on as many devices as possible, and the company's roadmap expects 1 billion PCs, tablets, and smartphones to be running it until 2017. The build for Raspberry Pi 2 is still in the works as well.

Comments

Re:Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microso

[drinkypoo]

Before everyone jumps on this with their "Hatez the Microsoft" commentary, let me just point out that Android relies on exactly this kind of branding, except it's Google instead of Bing.

If I install AOSP and don't install gapps, then it really doesn't say Google anywhere. Ditto for Cyanogenmod. And if I install Firefox on Cyanogenmod then my default search is Yahoo (ugh.)

Re:Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microso

[Anonymous Coward]

YOU are allowed to get rid of the bingware. The OEM isn't. I.e. Yahoo or Google can't pay an OEM to change the default search engine - the "with Bing" version sets it to Bing the first time the OS install runs. That's it.

Re:Dear Microsoft.

[JamesTRexx]

If by cheapskate you mean taking effort to decide on a distro, desktop environment and applications, create installation media and install from scratch making sure all hardware is supported to create a comfortable computing experience, yeah, I guess I'm one of those cheapskates.