Why Microsoft is calling Windows 10 ‘the last version of Windows’ appeared on The Verge.
It is difficult to overstate the impact of this announcement and the change in course it represents for Microsoft. Since the late 1970s Windows has been the centerpiece of Microsoft’s industry dominance and the engine of its vast profitability.
If Windows 10 is truly the ultimate release, then it also marks a profound shift from a strategy based on Operating System (OS) to a strategy based on the cloud, and specifically Office 365.
It may also be an acknowledgement of the maturity of Windows as an OS. The basic interface has remain largely unchanged since the release of Windows XP in 2001. Aside from better integrating Windows into the cloud, it is difficult to see how it might be improved.
If we are seeing the maturation and stability of the desktop interface, that will be good news for IT staff and users who are often reluctant to learn new technology. It also means that Microsoft can focus its energy on innovating in other areas.
