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Microsoft Wants To Enable Cellular PCs, But Will Carriers Bite? (computerworld.com)

Posted by msmash on from the future dept.

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.

4 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Just what Corporate Security needs... by geekmux · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...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.

    1. Re:Just what Corporate Security needs... by mlts · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This. You have your internal network nice and secure, and then a blackhat uses the cell interface to enable IP forwarding and turn a PC into an open gateway to the Internet for all and sundry to get on the subnet.

  2. Re:non-removable programmable SIM so ATT can lock by spire3661 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Think bigger. Unremovable cellular cards so that they can always be used to spy, even if not actively being paid for.

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    Good-bye
  3. Re:Hol. ly. Sheeeeeit. by Enigma2175 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

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    Enigma