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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.
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.
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
They already do that with Windows 8. I'm not sure how this is front-page slashdot worthy.
And, you know, this isn't exactly big new news...
Windows 8.1 with Bing has been around for a while.
the important takeaway is that THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VERSIONS is that THE OEM cannot change the default search software prior to sale. THE END USER CAN CHANGE WHATEVER THEY WANT STILL.
This is a good thing, anything that brings the price of the OS down for the average joe is a good thing. And maybe, if we're lucky, the Chromebooks will have to step up their game to compete with real Windows.
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.)
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Well, they've me too'd the phone/tablet OS.
They've me too'd the search engine.
They've me too'd an app store.
They forgot to me too any cool cachet.
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
Stop being idiots.
Just release 10 home for free to everyone. This will overnight solve a lot of problems and increase adoption back to the levels you want.
I thought the new CEO was a smart guy, but it seems he just doesn't get it.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
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.
Seriously. As long chrome or firefox can be installed there should be no problem.
Unless they already have a preference for Google. Or if Bing is so bad it drives people away in droves.
Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
The HP Stream 8 will serve as an example of a Win 10 upgradeable budget Win 8.1 with Bing tablet.
WIMBOOT with Compressed OS. If you are wondering why you haven't seen the Win 10 upgrade tray app on your RAM-starved tablet or laptop this is the reason. A solution is in the works.
As of 2015 it seems to be fine if Microsoft bundles IE/Bing/Onedrive/etc. with Windows as the monopolistic elephant in the room is now Apple restricting other browsers at their app store.
Windows 7 Starter Edition was a crippled version of Windows 7 Home. It had the same requirements, but you couldn't do as much. So of course it didn't do well.
Windows 8.1 with Bing is Windows 8.1, with Bing as the default search engine... and that's it. Nothing else is different. Same system requirements, but critically it's not crippled in any way. (It's not even locked to Bing.) No features have been removed.
So it's not really similar.
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
If they really really want it, they could make a decent fucking product that does what people want, and not worthless bullshit they don't want.... then again, it is Microsoft.... they're not as hardwired to fuck everything they touch up as Sony Online Entertainment was, but they're pretty damn close.
Fascism: An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. See also: NAZI's
"1 billion PCs, tablets, and smartphones to be running it until 2017"
So it's EOL'ed in less than 2 years?
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
This is a good thing, anything that brings the price of the OS down for the average joe is a good thing.
Linux has been free for over twenty years.
And it already runs just fine on the RPi and RPi2 and lots of other computers.
Linux has been free for over twenty years.
Not quite.
For most of those years -- possibly all of them -- Linux has only been free if your time is worth nothing.
...why, yes, I have had my share of problems with Linux on the desktop...