Why Microsoft is betting big on consumer cloud services

[Brink]

Microsoft officials are big believers in the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend.

It turns out they're also betting big on the potential impact of bring your own services (BYOS) or bring your own cloud (BYOC) -- whichever acronym you prefer.

Microsoft management increasingly gets the question: How are you going to make money if you're giving away software and services for free? Free OneDrive storage. free OneNote apps for Microsoft and non-Microsoft platforms. Free Skype apps and services. Nice for consumers, but how will the company monetize these things beyond the possibility of ads?

After reading through a transcript from last month's JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference appearance by Judson Althoff, President of Microsoft North America, I think I have a better understanding of what the Softies are thinking on this front.

Read more at: Why Microsoft is betting big on consumer cloud services (Hint: It's about the enterprise) | ZDNet

 

[Layback Bear]

I can see this happening.
Remember when Microsoft gave schools operating system or very cheap.
If you get the youngsters hooked on Windows in schools they will buy Windows later on in life.
It's kind of like a lost leader item in a store.
I'm not sure of the security problem with BYOD.
Those devices could have all kinds of infections and then hook into a cloud system.

 

[ThrashZone]

If you take notice at the new advertisements "slate pro's" at 800.00 u.s.
The ones I've seen only have a 64 gig hard drive
Unless your into flash drives cloud is your only other option,
Best thing for Microsoft is a monthly payment for storage/ office apps.. the new business model,
Clouds okay until you run out of free space
Cheers.