Today June 29, 2016 is the last day when you can apply the Windows 10 Upgrade from the eligible platforms, and the next August 2 is expected the Window 10 Anniversary Update, and the begin of Windows as a Service.
The idea is that Windows will be away from being a monolithic product with periodic major releases to a product that is continually updated and tweaked, in a similar a model how iOS, OS X are updated.
This idea is in line with new trends in the area of IT, where no longer the money is generated by selling software, and it is provided for “free” as a support tool for a service provided. This business model is already implemented by huge companies like Oracle, Google, etc. who provide the software for free to the average costumer and charge to companies or to everyone who need “advanced features” as an especial or premium service with a recurrent maintenance fee.
The other advantage for this model is that people love free stuff, and this generate an environment where the company generate buzz and goodwill to him; but also generate a growing base of users that know and feel comfortable with the provided product and who can expend a little amount of money in micro transactions ($3 or less) to get small improvements or functionalities in the software, but when we are taking about millions of users this 2 or 3 dollar can represent a big incoming.
Until today Windows 10 will be offered free of charge to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1, but the questions remain about the long-term implementation or this model, will be a pay-per-device, a yearly contract, pay per premium services or goods or some hybrid?
Julian Bolivar-Galeno is an Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Architect whose expertise is in telecommunications, security and embedded systems. He works in BolivarTech focused on decision making, leadership, management and execution of projects oriented to develop strong security algorithms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and its applicability to smart solutions at mobile and embedded technologies, always producing resilient and innovative applications.