At its much-touted Build 2014 conference in San Francisco, USA today, software giant Microsoft threw a curve ball by announcing it was planning to release Windows for the Internet of Things (IoT) soon. The shocker was at the end of this announcement – the price of this software could well be nil.
The IoT refers to the phenomenon of everyday objects like refrigerators, watches and cars becoming increasingly ‘connected’ to the Web as well as to each other. With many other IT companies such as Intel, Cisco and even Internet giant Google making rapid advances in IoT, it is clear Microsoft does not want to stay behind.
During the event, Microsoft had a giant piano running on the new IOT version of Windows run on a tiny computer. It hopes that companies will want to put this operating system on every product, so that developers can, in turn, build apps for them. Furthermore, the company is now making Windows for phones and tablets less than 9 inches in size available for free.
At Build 2014, Microsoft unveiled the latest Windows software for phones, Tablets, and PCs. Windows Phone 8.1 for smartphones now comes with a Start screen, the fastest keyboard on the market, and Cortana – the only personal digital assistant built around the user.
Microsoft said with this release of the Windows developer platform, it set out to accomplish three major goals:
1) Reach customers across phones, Tablets, and PCs
2) Deliver innovation that supports developer investments
3) Make cross-platform technology easier and more capable
This new IoT version of Windows will run on small computers that fit on a human palm. The new version of Windows will run on Intel’s tiny Galileo computer board, which is similar to the Raspberry Pi computer.
Development hardware like the Intel Galileo board will allow users to read temperature sensors, power robot servos, check for intruders, blink a bunch of LED lights, or even make a little music, claimed Microsoft.
Image Credit: Microsoft
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