I am going to list some of the things Microsoft is going to be launching in the next year or so and my opinions of them. Please discuss your thoughts on each. (Not in any particular order)
1. Zune HD - Will most likely not garner much marketshare but the device looks fantastic. OLED touch screen, Tegra powered, nice design, etc. This device launch will most likely be coupled with an update of the already stellar Zune Software. I would guess some further integration with XNA through the Zune Software. Possibly offering the smooth streaming technology through the Zune Software. ( http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm )
2. Silverlight 3 - The release of Version 3 of Silverlight puts it in parity with the latest Flash player in terms of features and even surpasses it in some regards. Some new features of Silverlight 3 are: smooth streaming technology for streaming HD content through a variety of connection speeds, much improved APIs for talking to backend systems, enhanced graphical capabilities such as gpu accelleration, enhanced 3D capabilities, ehanced 2D capabilities, 2D objects in 3D space, effects and pixel shaders, dynamic image and sound creation, and out of browser functionality. The main hurdle with Silverlight 3 is adoption. It is currently estimated that 1 in 3 computers connected to the internet have Silverlight, but Flash has a 99.9% adoption rate. It helps when they create big partnerships, such as Olympics streaming, Netflix streaming, etc.( http://videos.visitmix.com/MIX09/T14F )
3. Office 2010 - The biggest news of all out of there Office 2010 announcement today is that there will be free versions of the Office suite software available online to all Windows Live members. Some could say they are canabalizing one of their own core business sectors, but there are gains to be made and they will most likely be skimmed down versions where corporate users will still want the desk top versions. The free versions will be ad supported so there is a revenue stream there. If it is implemented in Silverlight, that would definitely help with the adoption issues of Silverlight. Also, expect some search functionality through Bing, which will definitely help that service as well. They are also offering cloud based services as well, such as document collaboration and storage. Some of the new features of the software can be seen here: ( http://www.pcworld.com/article/168292/office_2010_a_complete_overview_of_whats_new.html)
4. Windows 7 - This is easily the biggest of the initiatives that MS has upcoming. After Vista, MS is ready to wipe that memory free and offer a compelling OS right from the start. Buzz has been good for the OS and it will most likely be a success, helping to increase the revenue from their OS sector. There has been a recent study released saying that 6 of 10 businesses will not upgrade to W7.
5. Azure - MS's cloud services offering. This allows developers to use a rather extensive set of services using HTTP, REST, and XML. Not too much is known about MS's plans for Azure, but it will probably be a rather large focus of MS in the future.
6. Natal - Probably not launching until Fall 2010, but it is definitely something that MS will be backing in a big way. Natal combines facial recognition, voice recognition, and 3D motion tracking into one hardware and software offering. While these 3 things are nothing new, when the technology is offered in one toolset with one API and with no processing cost, developers are going to be more easily able and willing to embrace and create. This can have implications in entertainment, education, and business. I fully expect MS to extend this technology outside of the 360.
7. Streaming music service - It was announced today that Microsoft will be entering the streaming music arena. It will be like Spotify. Most likely offering a free ad supported version as well as a paid ad free version. It will most likely integrate with the Zune as well. Not sure what this will be like as I am unfamiliar with Spotify( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/microsoft/5817049/Microsoft-is-launching-a-music-streaming-service-this-month.html )
8. Updated 360 dashboard - There are a number of new features coming to the dashboard this Fall. Smooth streaming instant on 1080p videos, improved NXE performance, Avatar store, Avatar unlockables, Facebook integration, Twitter integration, Sky integration, party video viewing, Game Marketplace, User Rating system(for Arcade only I believe), last.FM, and Netflix instant movie browsing. I have probably missed some, but these should enhance the experience for all of the userbase in some way regardless of what they are into. Facebook and Twitter are quite big at the moment, so there is no telling how these services will take off. The smooth streaming technology is quite neat and will most likely be ubiquitous in the future. Not sure if these things will bring in any new customers, but it definitely offers more for current ones.
9. Windows Mobile 7 - Not much is known about this OS, but it is expected to embrace touch(duh!) and offer a completely revamped UI(good god, hopefully). I have not been very fond of MS mobile OS, but hopefully they can offer a compelling reason for me to get a WM phone. It is set for release in July 2010.
Overall, they seem to have a diverse and impressive line up of upcoming releases. Can Microsoft remove the tarnish that has formed on their brand?
I may have missed some of their other projects. Please discuss.
