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Microsoft Wants To Enable Cellular PCs, But Will Carriers Bite? (computerworld.com)
Microsoft is aiming to enable the installation of non-removable programmable SIM cards and data radios in PCs and Windows tablets. In the company's vision, users will then be able to purchase cellular data for those cards through the Windows Store. The announcement was made at the company's WinHEC conference for device manufacturers in Shenzhen, China. From a report on ComputerWorld: Users would also get settings to help them better manage the use of data plans, so it's easier for them to control how much data apps can suck up. But there's a wrinkle in that plan: Cellular carriers will have to get on board with selling plans through the Windows Store, which will likely be a tougher sell.
non-removable programmable SIM so ATT can lock them to ATT only like the ipad's from att?
MS needs to say no carrier locking!
Sorry, but I don't need another data plan in addition to my phone. I'll just hotspot from my phone plan as needed.
...another fucking interface to hack.
While you've got the hood popped, why not just IoT the BIOS while you're at it.
Yet another design change justified by maximizing recurring revenue for vendors. I grow very tired of being told what I want in a product. Shit is getting old.
Trying to figure out if Microsoft wants to eventually extinguish the cell phone or the PC... judging by the amount of sense they've been making lately, it's probably the PC.
Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
That seems like a much better question than if the carriers would do it. Since, you know, that would be the first step to convincing the carriers to get on board. By showing demand.
The biggest problem with Microsoft getting near a data plan is that you could easily see a scenario where most of your data was getting sucked up by Microsoft's ever-present upgrades. That, and, having to wait an extra 10-15 minutes when you really want to restart your phone.
Think bigger. Unremovable cellular cards so that they can always be used to spy, even if not actively being paid for.
Good-bye
What could possibly go wrong???
A better question is "Why does Microsoft need to be involved in this?" I can currently buy a data card from one of the cell carriers or I can tether my computer to my phone. How is having to pay Microsoft going to improve the current state of things? Just make the OS, jackasses, stop trying to use your near monopoly to force your way into other industries -- you are really bad at it.
Enigma
He, he, you're too late buddy. Why do you think batteries are soldered to the phones now?
How this is improving things? Easy, where is the cut for MS in the current scenario?
Oh, how is it improving things for you, you mean? Not at all, why would it? Why should MS give a shit about that?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
I don't buy this for a moment. Microsoft "telemetry" is several gigabytes per month. No existing data plan could cope.
No sig today...