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

Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microsoft"

[msobkow]

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.

Re:Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microso

[Jax Omen]

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.

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.)

Dear Microsoft.

[Lumpy]

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.

Re:Dear Microsoft.

[msobkow]

Au contraire. The system came with Windows pre-installed. I had to go to an *effort* to install Linux on it.

I didn't save a damned dime.

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.

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:Hard-coded with Bing

[Cro Magnon]

Unless they already have a preference for Google. Or if Bing is so bad it drives people away in droves.

Re:Ya Don't Say

[meglon]

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.