Microsoft Keeps Mum on New Plans to Monetize Windows, Will Reveal Strategy in 2015

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Along with a new OS release comes a new strategy to make money

Things are going to be different with Windows 10 in a number of ways, and all presumably for the better (or so we're hoping and knocking on wood with Hulk-like force). It's not just the features and design that Microsoft is altering, however, but also its business model. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner spoke at a Credit Suisse technology investment conference recently, revealing that his company is looking at new ways of making money off of Windows.
One of the strategies has already been put in motion, and that's the removal of royalties on devices with screens that are 9 inches or smaller. The intention there was to fight back against the Chromebook push and reinvigorate the low-end laptop market with Windows machines. As a result, it's now possible to find plenty of Windows laptops in the range of $200, and a few that even go for half that much.
However, giving Windows away for free isn't something we should get used to, as Microsoft has no plans of making Windows 10 a loss leader. According to Hexus.net, Turner revealed that Microsoft will instead make up some of the difference in revenue by looking at other ways to make money from Windows, though he didn't say exactly what they would be.
"We've got to monetize it differently. And there are services involved," Turner said. "There are additional opportunities for us to bring additional services to the product and do it in a creative way. And through the course of the summer and spring we'll be announcing what that business model looks like."
Turner added that Microsoft's first 39 years was highlighted by "one of the greatest business models of all time built around" Windows, though said that's in the past. Looking to the future, he sees opportunities in "becoming a cloud OS, a devices operating system, having first party hardware light up those experiences," while also providing a dual-user experience (work and play, basically).
Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook


More...