Mobile Computing News

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Windows 7 SP1, the first major update to Microsoft’s latest OS, has been scheduled for a beta release at the end of July.

Service packs bring stability

The Microsoft Windows service packs have historically been means for squashing various bugs and adding greater stability. In addition to that, however, this service pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 focuses on preparing these software platforms for the challenges and risks associated with cloud computing.

The contents of the upcoming Microsoft Windows service packs are in line with Microsoft’s stated corporate strategy of being ‘all in’ when it comes to cloud computing. And this service pack update is indicative of Microsoft leveraging the competitive advantage afforded to the company that owns the world’s most ubiquitous operating system.

What Microsoft claim it will do

Microsoft released a statement indicating their plans for Service Pack 1. It read: ‘The new virtualisation tools in SP1 will help Windows Server 2008 R2 users prepare for cloud computing, Remote FX provides rich 3D graphical experience for remote users, and Dynamic Memory enables more control to adjust memory usage without sacrificing performance.’

In addition, the statement also indicated that the various incremental updates performed for Windows 7 will now be collated in one place.

Cloud computing is not everything

Bob Muglia, who is president of Microsoft’s Server and Tools division, felt the need to assure Microsoft customers that the company is still committed to ‘on-premises software’ even with this newfound focus on cloud computing capabilities through Microsoft Windows service packs.

But Muglia’s stance is actually problematic. The desktop, Windows 7 and Office 2010 are legacy businesses for Microsoft. The fact that the company is ‘all in’ when it comes to cloud computing is indicative that there is a realisation that the computing landscape is being radically altered.

However, if the execs who are leading this charge toward cloud computing and web-based productivity feel the need to reassure Microsoft’s customers (and investors, indirectly) that its business as usual, then perhaps Redmond is not ‘all in’.