Microsoft Corp will give away its upcoming Windows 10 operating system as a free upgrade to users of the most recent versions of Windows and Windows Phone, as the world's largest software company tries to retain customers in the mobile era.
微软公司将免费向最新Windows与WP用户推送Windows 10操作系统，该公司试图以此保住移动领域的用户群。
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella touts Windows 10 and HoloLens capabilities as a glimpse at a new generation of computing involving laying 3D images over the real world, at a press event at the technology titan\s main campus in Redmond, Washington on January 21, 2015 in Redmond, Washington.
The 'free' strategy is a calculated gamble for Microsoft, designed to put Windows in as many devices as possible. The company would then make up for any lost revenue by selling services such as Office over the Internet, or cloud.
During an event on Wednesday in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the company's advances will make it a more seamless experience for Windows users.
"Windows 10
ushers4 in an era of more personal computing in a mobile first cloud first world. We are building into window the experiences from productivity to gaming how
Spartan5 and the
browser6 comes together, how Xbox live comes together, to enable that seamless cross over across devices as you move around at home and at work. We want to make Windows 10 the most loved release of Windows," said Nadella.
The
immediate7 revenue hit is unlikely to be large, as Microsoft gets no more than $500 million of its $20 billion or so annual Windows revenue from upgrades,
analysts8 said. The vast majority of Windows revenue comes from hardware
makers9 installing it on new personal computers and businesses paying for multi-year
licenses10.
Investors11 were not impressed. Microsoft shares fell 1 percent to $45.91 on Nasdaq shortly before the close.
The company is expected to say more about the financial effects of the new approach when it reports quarterly
earnings12 next week.
Windows 10, expected on the market this autumn, will be available for one year as a free upgrade to users of Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft executive Terry Myerson said.
Industry and Wall Street analysts described the move as
inevitable13.
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