The Next Windows--Plans Are Revealed

Shortly after the release of the long awaited Windows Vista, Microsoft has revealed plans for the next version of Windows. Posting on his blog, an employee of Microsoft Denmark released a PowerPoint describing the major updates that would be made. Although Microsoft says it is "not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows," the basic plan for the new operating system has been released.

Codenamed "Windows Seven," the new project intends to improve the almost 20 year old operating system in four areas: functionality, connectivity, security, and cost reduction. Microsoft plans to spend around $1 billion US on the new operating system, and various sources estimate its release in either 2008 or 2009.

As far as functionality goes, Windows Seven will have better, more integrated networking capabilities. The ability to use multiple computers in a household network will be improved, and made easier. There will be integrated backup systems, intended to preserve valuable data, and improved cross-application data sharing, allowing programs to work better together, in keeping with the recent trend in software development. Finally, Microsoft intends to "improve the user experience," presumably intending, along with other things, to improve on Vista's system of a keyword based file system.

Windows Seven will also catch up in the area of mobile technology, improving its connectivity. The improvements will be intended to make it easier for a computer to function in the context of various mobile and wireless gadgets. Ad-hoc networking capabilities will be improved, allowing multiple computers to be wirelessly connected to each other, (rather than a base station) improving the ability to transfer data directly. This will be useful in the context of home networks, in which it will be easier to share data and throw files back and forth. While improving the abilities of wireless technology, and improving the operating system's functionality with existing wireless hardware, Microsoft plans to also allow for improved data security, most likely involving some sort of mobile backup software.
Microsoft will also improve security in the new Windows, adding useful and necessary backup mechanisms, and also adding monitoring technology. This monitoring technology will make it easier for employers to spy on their employees, making sure they are working rather than playing solitaire. This "improvement" will be welcomed by some and hated by others, depending on which end of it they are on.

Finally, while not speaking of cost reduction in terms of reducing the cost of the actual software, Microsoft intends Windows Seven to require less technical help, cutting corporate costs. The system will be more intuitive, and will do more by itself, allowing multiple applications to work together without elaborate setup. Windows Seven will also be better able to easily adapt itself to hardware, without elaborate setup.

We will soon see how big an improvement this will be.