Apple A Threat To Windows Vista. Re Write Confirmed

The marketing director of a key Microsoft partner has confirmed that key elements of Windows Vista are currently being re written.

Mr Raymond Vardanega, the Marketing Director, of Acer Australia has confirmed independently of SmartHouse Magazine that Microsoft is having major problems with its Vista operating system. He said “The decision to delay Vista into the consumer market will have an impact on hardware sales particularly in the Media Centre market. We have been told that Microsoft has bought in programmers from the Xbox team to work on the problems. We have also been told that up to 60% of the code will have some form of re writing or changes made. We are told that Microsoft is concerned at the impact that the delay will have on hardware manufacturers. We have raised our concerns directly with Microsoft”.

A major problem for Microsoft is that the current version of Media Centre (MCE) is clumsy and prone to crashing. It contains code which is not productive in delivering an entertainment experience for consumers. While on one hand custom installers want an MCE server type environment to load and operate home automation applications consumers simply want a bullet proof system that allows them to download movies, play games, and manage entertainment and family content. They do not want to combine application computing with their media centre which in most cases is strategically located close to a large screen or music system.

What SmartHouse is told is that Microsoft is working on Vista modular structure that allows a consumer to install only what they want in a specific environment. They are also working on Vista better interfacing with the new Viiv hardware environment spanning Hi-Fi, Wireless for portable audio distribution right the way through to a new generation of Viiv compliant hardware such as LCD TV’s that will come with a 350GB hard drive wireless and the ability to load the Vista operating system directly into the Viiv compliant TV. The TV will then be used for gaming, downloading movies, music and TV shows. It will also interface with a Hi Fi or music system either over an IP based cable system or via wireless.

We are told that current testing of the consumer version of Windows Vista for consumers still needs a lot of work to cohesively pull these elements together so that the next version actually meets consumer expectations.

We are also told that Microsoft is concerned that Apple could release a media centre solution built on the Viiv platform. They know that Apple’s iPod strength, iTunes sites and relationship with content providers and vendors who are now delivering home entertainment accessories built around the Apple’s 17pin iPod connector will have an impact that could well stop Microsoft gaining a dominant position in the home with Vista.