”We are going to have our services and their endpoints everywhere. We are not bolting on apps, we are seamlessly harmonizing experiences,” said Nadella. “We are going to have services everywhere. Nadella set out a vision of the company offering services rather than boxes of software. Microsoft has stopped giving specific figures for Windows’ revenues, but they were eclipsed by its Office suite of services in 2013. The first version, Windows 1, was launched by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in November 1985.
The decision to offer Windows 10 for free is a major shift for Microsoft, which used to make the majority of its money from selling its operating system. The move comes shortly after Google scrapped the development phase of Google Glass, its internet-enabled headset project.
“Holograms can become part of our everyday life,” said Microsoft’s Alex Kipman. In a surprise move, the company also unveiled a new headset, Hololens, that will work with Windows 10 and allow people to interact with 3D holograms, including holographic Skype calls. He said the system would “support the broadest device family ever”.
“Windows has always been grounded in the idea that technology should help individuals and organizations do great things,” said Microsoft executive vice president of operating systems Terry Myerson. “We want to move from people needing Windows to people loving Windows.” What it means to our customers, our partners and Microsoft,” said Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive officer.