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Microsoft Shares Details on Windows 7

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

July 23, 2007, 11:38 AM

Forget another five-year wait for the next version of Windows. Microsoft has shared a few details of its next-generation operating system, tentatively named "Windows 7," due in 2010. The next version will come in both 32 and 64-bit versions, and include both business and consumer versions. Microsoft is also looking into the concept of subscription service as a way to extend the functionality of the operating system.

More importantly, the company is now focusing on Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which some news sources are saying may be available by the end of the year. "As part of our ongoing outreach to enterprise customers and partners, Microsoft has begun sharing plans for how they will continue to deliver value to businesses in the future, including Software Assurance customers in particular," Microsoft said in a statement.

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By cannie

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 4:27 AM

They follow the path of crypted TV. In a near future you shall have to pay a monthly fee to use your computer normally. The old standalone spirit of the 3.4, 98 or ME versions died long ago: piracy killed it. Now your computer relies on server software, and is totally dependent from others which you cannot control. They are aware of their incredible strenght and they make use of it.

Score: 0

By rsx508

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 12:51 AM

Holy crap. So, after having been late on nearly every single major product release in their entire history, they're suddenly expected to release something major within a stated year? Pa-leez. 2012 is my bet. Anyone giving odds?

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:00 AM

Yup totally agree with you :) I very much doubt they will meet the 2010 date. 2 Year push back at LEAST

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 12:06 PM

Yeah, 2010 may be for the stable SP 2 or 3 of current release....unless if they're planning a reprise of 98E/ME/2K/XP concurrency fiasco.

They better be careful to first fix Vista + don't get bogged down w/ too much to do- as in another SP for current XP, Server, etc., plus Longhorn, 2K7, Vista, etc. in both 32 / 64 & what, as many as 5 versions of each...

And 32 bit again??? Please, Vista should only have come in 64bit.

I sure hope 7 is much better than 6... Ms is opening the door for Apple & Linux-- they've been lucky so far that moron Jobs can't help stepping on his own shoelaces.

Score: 0

By cap737

edited Jul 24, 2007 - 8:07 AM

What percentage of the features proposed in the new OS will ACTUALLY make it to final production??

I'm targeting 60-70%! I think Vista was somewhere around there, too.

Score: 0

By Ryusennin

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 9:52 PM

End consumers are always talking about 64-bit as if they had any idea what it actually does. But somewhere out there, you also have *corporate* users and admins, which represent a huge part of the OS market and still use 32-bit OSes like 2000 and XP. Who needs a fancy GUI for a hidden file server? And even some end consumers amongst us (the so-called "retrogamers") still have a strong need for legacy 16-bit and 32-bit support.

If you really want a full blown 64-bit rig, well, I don't know... Why don't you just install Linux on your PS3 and "feel the difference".

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:04 AM

The memory limitation is real, and it's here now. Not much of a deal-breaker for consumer space, but it's been an issue for corporate world for a while.

In short, nobody should be building 32-bit servers anymore. It doesn't scale well, and the cost difference is nil, so why would you ever go 32-bit again?

Score: 0

By smarterthanyou

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 3:12 AM

If you need support for obsolete 16-bit programs, use virtualization software such as Microsoft Virtual PC or VMware (if you don't mind spending the extra cash). Otherwise, 64-bit Windows XP and 64-bit Vista are 100% backwards compatible with all 32-bit Windows software. If Vista is any indication, future operating systems are going to need massive amounts of memory that 32-bit operating systems can't provide. This is not because of unnecessary code bloat. This is because the more advanced operating systems get the more memory they will require. With integrated graphics using more and more memory and with operating systems growing in size, 1GB or 2GB of RAM will soon no longer be enough.

Score: 0

By bigsexy022870

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 8:53 PM

Another nightmare in the making. Sure it might work. And sure it might even be way better and do lots a great stuff. But will i have to shell out tons of money on a new hardware. Vista sucks cause to be honest, you need at least 4 gigs of ram for it to work good. Yes some of you will say different. But I am a gamer and use lots of demanding apps. And 4 gig's made all the headaches go away. There's nothing that Vista does better then XP. XP was and is a great OS that needed some help to make it perfect. They decided not to do that and made a bloated hog of a OS. It eats so much memory it's almost insane. I'm not even sure it needs to eat so much memory. What it's doing with that memory and if it's even using it for real remains to be seen. So what will this next OS need 8 GIGS OF MEMORY OR MORE. Microsoft really needs to get with the program and stop making crap.

Score: 0

By cranbers

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 8:51 PM

Oh microsoft can release a new os in 3 years, its called ME when 98 came out, we all know what kind of success that was. Buggy, networking didn't work right half the time. And it had lots of pretty icons. So yeah, they can do it just don't expect anything more then you get currently with Vista with some upgraded 3d effects or something. I have no doubt this one will include a new feature called "onecare" which will no doubt be bolted to the os, this is the subscription thing there talking about.

Score: 0

By smarterthanyou

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 8:17 PM

Idiots. There is not a single consumer that needs a 32-bit OS if they're running Vista. If a computer can run Vista and still be usable, there is a very good chance it uses a processor that supports AMD64 or IA64e. Microsoft should have given hardware manufacturers a swift kick in the balls and discontinued sales of 32-bit operating systems with Vista. Hardware companies have had ample time to develop 64-bit drivers for both 64-bit Windows XP and 64-bit Vista.

Score: 0

By kashin

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 5:49 PM

"Forget another five-year wait for the next version of Windows."

Riiiiight. I'll believe it when I see it! Microsoft releasing a new operating system in just three years would be nothing short of a miracle.

Score: 0

By idondon

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:32 AM

Win200 to WinXP was only two years, granted XP was not a big release but it was still two years.

Score: 0

By Ramhound

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 5:45 PM

Support for 32-bit/x86 really depends if Intel/AMD continues to support it.

If for example in 2009 Intel/AMD decides that they see at trend that x86 is no longer being used by new purchases, then they could drop it.

Wouldn't affect anyone with a current product really. Since they would continue to support those till the EOL on those products.

It also depends on the software that is released, if people are smart and start to only support x64 users by 2009, then we might see a postive trend that happens.

Right now I feel its to early to be using a x64 OS because there isn't anything out there that really needs it for the average computer user.

I might never happen we might see a new design for that happens which could mean x128,x256,x512 anything at this point could be possible really.

The amount of changes that can happen is shocking. I am by no means saying those new designs are even being worked on. I also say that I never thought I would see x64 starting to be mainstream.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:18 AM

I'm afraid I don't understand your post.

Why would AMD or intel give up the most popular, successful CPU architecture, ever? It shows no signs of failure.

x64 is a natural evolution, due to the memory barriers inherent in 32-bit computing. Amazingly as it may seem, 64-bit computing will eventually hit a barrier as well. Not for a very very long time however.

We don't build computers with less than 2 gigs of ram (laptops) workstations have 3 gigs, and servers have a MINIMUM of 4 gigs, but most have 16 gigs now. You must think of scaling to the future, not the here and now. Don't think about having too much memory for 99% of the time, think about the 1% of time where that memory comes in use, and you've saved time(money) for doing so.

Score: 0

By slinkys_delsol

edited Jul 24, 2007 - 1:39 PM

Windows Vista is the Windows ME of it's day!

Lack of Software and Hardware Support and total compatibility problems.

Plus, if MS has such confidence in Vista then why is the new Windows is slated for 2009 - 2010? Bottom line, Apple put it's new OS out this year too and MS (Like they did with ME) simply wanted a product on the market.

If you like "Pretty" and "Incompatible" then Vista is for you.

Also, all those people that ran out and bought Vista to find they are having a TON of Issues, bottom line, NO ONE put a gun to your head made you go to the store, buy the OS and install it. YOU simply wanted the latest (Not the Greatest) on your PC.

Stay with what works and is most reliable for you.

Also if any Hardware Manufacturers / OEM is listening. You should consider offerng your system OS Free and Cheaper. I say this from the point of I work in IT, and in many organizations. With that, any PC we bought, the initial / factory build got blown away. I would not expect stores to carry OS Free systems, but it should be a special order and give the consumer at least a $100 cheaper price overall.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:20 AM

I agree: Vista Gold is equivalent to Windows ME.

Vista SP1 will be the best consumer/corporate level OS MS has ever created. And it is then, and only then, that I will consider using it in production/recommending it for home users.

I consider Vista still an "RC" class OS.

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited Jul 24, 2007 - 4:01 PM

Except its not because the problems with Vista is its resources and still lack of support.

Windows ME problem was it was very unstable crashed if you turned it on, usb still had issues and system restore was poorly implemented.

Score: 0

By cap737

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 8:02 AM

Your comment sounded good up... until the troll comment.

Score: 0

By Babylon2x

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 3:26 PM

I thought they said Windows Vista was the last 32-bit OS? Oh well.

Score: 0

By flake

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 10:41 PM

Nope, I think you're mistaking their statment about Windows Server 2008 (Longhorn) being the last 32-bit server OS. They haven't made such a statement about a desktop OS

Score: 0

By pforbes

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 2:27 PM

Excellent news for Linux.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 7:52 PM

An obscure OS that has little appeal to the mainstream, right.

Linux will forever be in the basement until they can decide what they really want.

Score: 0

By zridling

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 2:04 PM

"Microsoft is also looking into the concept of subscription service as a way to extend the functionality of the operating system."
________________________________________________
Sucks to be a Windows user this century. Glad my primary OS is now GNU/Linux — all free, all the time, forever and ever. Make the Move! and start laughing at Microsoft's subscription taxes all the way to your bank.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 2:19 PM

I didn't think people could spam this site...

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

edited Jul 23, 2007 - 2:00 PM

Yea a Consumer subscription service would fail, I don't see how that would increase functionality.

Other than that, I don't see a reason why 3rd party software companies and device companies aren't doing things 64 bit, they're holding back consumer security.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 1:03 PM

The subscription service would likely be for updates and maintenance releases and would only really apply to IT / Enterprise groups. It would also likely be opt-in, and you'd be able to opt-out at any time.

I don't think anyone seriously believes they'd drop the "buy-once" model completely without implementing something like this first.

Score: 0

By zridling

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 2:06 PM

Then you're wrong (again). Google FlexGo. The Microsoft Tax is about to skyrocket over the next decade. Symantec's been paving the way if you want a preview of where it's going.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 3:11 PM

Then you're wrong (again).

..as if you could possibly know this.

*laughs*

FlexGo is an option right now in developing countries. It works there because of the locations and the economies of those ares, not to mention the using habits of the people it's targeted to.

It is *no* indication of what they may be planning for developed countries where economies are radically different and computer use is much more prevalent.

Score: 0

By ZenWarrior

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 7:02 AM

Once again, Tool does the very thing of which he accuses another. (Yawn. Another boring day. Some things will never change.)

"...No indication....?" Where did you get your advanced marketing and/or business degrees, Tool?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 9:51 AM

Once again, Tool does the very thing of which he accuses another.

How's that?

No indication means what it means, dude. I'm not saying that it will specifically be one way or another. Neither did I do so in my original post. I simply stated (perhaps too simply for some?) that it is asinine to claim without a doubt that because it's done one way in one place, it'll be done the same in areas under radically different circumstances.

Got some inside information for us to prove it one way the other? No?

Didn't think so.

Score: 0

By AntiochMedia

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 12:07 PM

Ed is trying to fill a quota here. BetaNews may consider a snipped corner. However, I must STILL maintain that Ed's articles lack reference material -- no external links AND the quote is attributed to 'Microsoft' - not to a representative at Microsoft.

So yes, it's neat that MS doesn't plan to stop supporting 32-bit processors. And they've always had business and consumer version since XP (or NT if you want to consider NT a business version)... so ... really the only bit of news here (to my knowledge) is that Microsoft is considering turning their software into a subscription service... which I think is horrible.

I think it would only work if the OS itself is either free or there is a free version available. Similar to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux ...

And that isn't going to happen =)

Some good news would be if Windows 7 had a Linux or BSD Core and was not backwards compatible with existing software similar to how OSX broke tradition in order to properly move forward.

Score: 0

By cap737

edited Jul 23, 2007 - 2:03 PM

That's true about apple. Tiger has a 64-bit core but the interface was 32-bit. Now leopard is a 64-bit core and interface and is backward compatible with 32-bit progies, all on intel systems. I guess this is only good because apple makes their own hardware and software so it's guaranteed to be compatible.

PC users struggle with manufactures providing drivers for 32 and 64-bit versions of XP and Vista. Some people can get it working fine but a lot of people, from what I read in forums and such, are having driver and software issues. I agree with Tool on 32-bit vm within a 64-bit OS.

Score: 0

By dkratter

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 12:28 PM

I think I'd rather they ditch the 32-bit support for Windows 7. 64-bit is no longer new at this point, and companies/people have been given plenty of warning (Windows 2003 has been out for years already).

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 1:01 PM

They had enough flac for dropping support for an outdated driver model in Vista. I can't even imagine the holy hell they'd catch for dropping 32-bit support.

A far better idea would be to ship only a 64-bit OS and execute 32-bit progs in a seperate 32-bit VM for backwards compatibility.

Score: 0

By rsx508

posted Jul 24, 2007 - 12:53 AM

Softricity/Softgrid.

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 2:12 PM

"A far better idea would be to ship only a 64-bit OS and execute 32-bit progs in a seperate 32-bit VM for backwards compatibility."

Hmmmmm....now that's an idea.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 3:06 PM

Do it. Make the switch, or don't. But for goodness sakes, do something. Vista, as is, really disappoints with 64bit.

Score: 0

By JeremyGNJ

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 12:48 PM

I agree. Providing both platforms only contributes to hardware vendors finding reasons not to provide solid 64-bit drivers. in fact it just makes it more expensive for hardware vendors to have to do development and testing for both versions.

Score: 0

By the artist

posted Jul 23, 2007 - 1:06 PM

...But one sad truth is that the world is NOT diggin into x64, because the chain is broken yet. Only a very small percentage of SOFTWARE has made the transition and that translates into a poor platform, which no one bites except for us geeks who want the latest and greatest.
The "rest" of computer users don't care sh*t about this and don't need "dunno what complicated new crap that those computer geeks are trying to change again". Most only need their pc to be a pool of pictures and videos + office + mail (of course, advancement is always pushed by geeks and capitalism). And software devs uninterest in switching is holding this quiet too.

Score: 0

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