Microsoft Predictions for 2008: Games group housecleaning continues (Microsoft in 2008: 10 Predictions)

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My predictions.

1. Microsoft has learned a hard lesson in hoping others build products using Windows. I expect to see Microsoft move into hardware manufacturing in a much bigger way than the past.

2. They will have to fight law suits over their "authentication certificates" for code signing, possibly a class action suit. (Hiding behind VeriSign won't protect them.)

3. Windows 7 will be accelerated for release due to the poor showing of Vista sales. (Sorry but XP is still the clear winner on the Windows desktop.) The other driving force is that Windows Vista and XP (and Windows apps) can't take advantage of quad (or more) CPUs in any meaningfull way and the hardware is leaving the software behind.

4. Microsoft Office (14) will be a half step in using the .NET programming language and WPF which will leave users scratching their heads on why they are running into problems. Especially where backwards compatibility is an issue. (VBA development will be a nightmare and alienate even more devlopers than the current version has.) (Also see number 2)

5. They will face more anti-trust suits in the EU and I suspect the US DOJ and State AGs will ask for extending oversight and possibly bringing new charges concerning monopoly abuse.

6. Economic pressure will force a major reduction in the cost of Windows OS around the world, including the US.

7. OOXML will be ratified as a "standard" despite all the whining over it.

8. Microsoft will find the new Democratic President and staff to be a lot less friendly than Bush and company. Gawd help'em if Hilary wins.

9. The Microsoft MVP program will undergo huge changes or be eliminated. It simply isn't working out as MS hoped and these folks are getting sick of MS trying to "control" them. (I get that from a couple of MVPs. Not crtain if they are correct but it sounds like trouble in the love fest.)

10. The Expression Suite will undergo huge changes and in a year you won't be able to recognize it compared to todays offering. Expect some heads to roll in that business unit.

Posted by: No_Ax_to_Grind   Posted on: 12/18/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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