The talk of a wholly cloud powered flavor of Windows is not new, the chatter could be heard even before Microsoft launched the modern version of its operating system, Windows 8.
However, while we are a fair while away from that reality, another one could be here much sooner.
Redmond is said to be working on a new cloud-based Windows OS, which according to the always reliable Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet is set to arrive in 2021. She got wind of this new version of the operating system via a job posting.
Currently, it is called Cloud PC.
And yes, it is a play at bringing back the thin client, whereby business users will be able to use their existing computers as one. Customers will be able to use computers that are managed by Microsoft in the cloud, and they will come preloaded with software like Windows, Office, and Teams.
This is how the job describes this new venture:
“Microsoft’s vision of Cloud PC is that it is the only M365 powered user compute experience delivered from azure and managed by Microsoft – at a flat per user price. Microsoft Cloud PC is a strategic, new offering that is built on top of Windows Virtual Desktop to delivering Desktop as a Service. At its core, Cloud PC provides business customers a modern, elastic, cloud-based Windows experience and will allow organizations to stay current in a more simplistic and scalable manner. It has never been a more exciting time for us to start this initiative!”
Exciting, indeed.
This new offering is built on top of Windows Virtual Desktop, and the technology giant plans to use the power of the Azure cloud platform and the Windows operating system itself to deliver what it calls Desktop as a Service.
The job listing promises a flat, per-unit price, which implies that Microsoft will probably offer this as a set subscription service that user can use as much as they want.
As opposed to the current Windows Virtual Desktop pricing that is based on how much resources are consumed while using it.
Not the first time the company is exploring something like this, as rumors were rife not too long ago about a Windows 365 subscription service. Done right, this could very well become another cash cow for the software titan.
We should learn more about this new service, ahead of its launch in spring next year.
Perhaps around BUILD 2021.
