Microsoft codename 'Threshold': The next major Windows wave takes shape

[Matsuda]

When I blogged recently about Microsoft's plans on the operating-systems front following Windows 8.1, I mentioned a couple of "spring 2015" releases. It turns out the Microsoft codename for that wave of deliverables is "Threshold."

A couple of my contacts have confirmed that Microsoft Executive Vice President Terry Myerson recently mentioned the Threshold codename in an internal email about plans for his unified operating-system engineering group.

If all goes according to early plans, Threshold will include updates to all three OS platforms (Xbox One, Windows and Windows Phone) that will advance them in a way to share even more common elements.

(The codename Threshold, for those wondering, derives fromthe planet around which the first halo ring orbited in the original Halo game launched back in 2001. Threshold joins "Cortana," Microsoft's answer to Siri, as yet another codename with its origins in the Xbox franchise.)

From what I've heard, Threshold doesn't refer to a single Windows OS -- not even the expected, converged hybrid comprised of the Windows Phone OS and Windows RT. Instead, the codename refers to the wave of operating systems across Windows-based phones, devices and gaming consoles.

The Xbox One OS, Windows 8.x OS and Windows Phone 8 OS already share a common Windows NT core. As we've heard before, Microsoft is working to deliver a single app store across its myriad Windows platforms. Company officials also are laboring to make the developer toolset for all three of these platforms more similar.

But Threshold will add another level of commonality across Microsoft's various Windows-based platforms, sources said. With the Threshold wave, Microsoft plans to support the same core set of "high value activities" across platforms. These high-value activities include expression/documents (Office, and the coming "Remix" digital storytelling app, I'd think); decision making/task completion (Bing, I'd assume); IT management (Intune and Workplace Join, perhaps?) and "serious fun."

CEO Steve Ballmer mentioned this concept of high-value activities at back in July when he announced Microsoft's cross-company reorg to make the company more focused around its new "One Microsoft" mission.

Before Microsoft gets to Threshold, the company is on track to deliver an update to Windows 8.1 (known as Windows 8.1 Update 1) around the same time that it delivers Windows Phone "Blue" (Windows Phone 8.1).

That's supposedly happening in the spring 2014/Q2 2014 timeframe, from what my sources have said.

I've asked Microsoft officials if they'd confirm any of this information about Threshold. No word back so far.




Source

[nuthut]

And let the waves of "This new OS is gonna suck!" begin... :unsure:

[janedoe]

Post Threshold when the OS convergence starts to happen is where it'll really get interesting. Of course Metro haters will not be enthused since it's not going anywhere and is now present on all of Microsoft's platforms i.e. Windows/RT/Phone and XBox.

[Chancer]

I wonder if there will be a start button :P

[Dodel]

I wonder if there will be a start button :P

As long as it comes with an off button :D

[mjall]

MS is swimming - why would they want to release an OS every second year or so; they had windows 95 which was the most successful for years, including XP, and windows 7 is ok but suddenly we got 8 because of the craze of the stupid mobile industry and touch screen and now another OS system; cant they see that people and corporations hasn't moved from XP till day! I think they lost it

[tezza]

MS is swimming - why would they want to release an OS every second year or so; they had windows 95 which was the most successful for years, including XP, and windows 7 is ok but suddenly we got 8 because of the craze of the stupid mobile industry and touch screen and now another OS system; cant they see that people and corporations hasn't moved from XP till day! I think they lost it

WZOR explains

all ku!

the fact is that Microsoft has changed the manufacturing process of operating systems.

If before the creation of the system took 2.5 years after the release of Windows 7, Microsoft realized that actually lags the market of operating systems and the latest trends .....

Google's aggressive promotion of its portable platform Android has forced Microsoft to revise cycles of creation - to upgrade their systems. It should also take into account that the company APPLE yearly releases updates for operating systems with the introduction of the new features.

So, Microsoft will no longer issue in the usual form of the so-called service pack (Service Pack) are only correct errors without introducing new features and functions!

In place of service pack (Service Pack) comes the so-called extended support system, ie, with patches of holes will be introduced and new features!

Creation time - release of these packages also reduced to one year. Ie, the first official release of the service pack to Microsoft Windows 8 should be expected in the fall, and in the summer it will be available to partners.

Frankly, all these attempts corporation can not save the situation, Microsoft is losing ground on all fronts ...

Uncle-TSYA

[x3r0]

I think main the problem is: no one wants to pay for new OS because almost everyone still thinks, Windows XP and 7 are the perfect OS for the desktop. Microsoft needs to find way to make money instead giving free updates to those OS. And now they see touch potential OS, but the problems are, the new OS lacks of touch friendly applications and most users are using it as non touch desktop OS.

[tezza]

Microsoft to Launch Windows 8.1 Spring GDR Update in April – Rumour

Microsoft’s press release website revealed by mistake that the next BUILD developer conference would be held in San Francisco in April, hinting that a major launch is coming.

Just like it did earlier this year at the same event, Microsoft is expected to present some Windows goodies, this time in the form of a large update aimed at both desktops and tablets.

Word is that Microsoft is preparing a major rollout for Windows 8.1 called Spring GDR update and the upcoming BUILD developer conference seems to be the perfect timing for users to get it.

[LeeSmithG]

MS is swimming - why would they want to release an OS every second year or so; they had windows 95 which was the most successful for years, including XP, and windows 7 is ok but suddenly we got 8 because of the craze of the stupid mobile industry and touch screen and now another OS system; cant they see that people and corporations hasn't moved from XP till day! I think they lost it

A.T.M. still run XP.

My GP practice runs XP.

My dentist 7.

Some banks, I am sure my bank Santander do still, if my memory serves.

I am getting sick and tired of cell-phones, tablets, touch screen systems.

My T.V. provider got rid of the text service which meant no more sitting in front of T.V. and using remote control and finding out the information.

Now you have to have a wireless tablet, a cell-phone or go to a computer and use the internet to use the text service.

bskyb is the buggers, a.k.a. sky.

I don't have a tablet, nor a cell-phone, I have a home built P.C. but, I am not going all the way upstairs to check football scores, or weather, lottery results or news.

I will be kicking into touch bskyb when contract up.

My words are, ''we are being forced to buy and use things we don't want''.

[MindHACKer]

they toped all other os vendors by Win NT, Win XP & Win 7

and at the same time

they screwed win Millennium2000, win vista & win 8
for what its worth lets hope they dont screw this "new wave" too.