Economist: Wintel alliance dissolution
Microsoft and Intel who hold power in the computer industry, and the "greedy" manner, such power. sony vgp-bps8 battery Thus, critics often say, Microsoft and Intel enjoy monopoly profits, and used to be competitors into a corner. However, in recent years, the computer industry has changed the situation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates (Bill Gates) announced his retirement, and donated a large property. The Wintel alliance has become the past. Rumor that Microsoft employees are conspiring against the current CEO Steve Ballmer (Steve Ballmer).However, these old-technology companies still have their own living space. Microsoft and Intel were in control of the computer industry, the two most important criteria: Windows operating system and Intel processor architecture. Currently more than 80% of the computer use the Wintel standard, on Windows systems and the market demand for processor chips is recovering. Microsoft and Intel announced a quarterly filing, the two companies last quarter profits were 4.5 billion and 29 billion dollars.
Therefore, the current fight against Microsoft and Intel, a good time. Intel is trying with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement agreement, which will help Microsoft and Intel is addressing long-standing antitrust issues. The company is also strengthening the relationship between ARM, which is one of Intel"s main rival. This means that Wintel alliance is being dismantled.
Critics often question the strength of Microsoft and Intel technology. Microsoft"s latest Windows 7 is an excellent product, and received by consumers. Intel"s processor products unparalleled in a full stop can be placed inside the size of the space 2 million transistors.
The two companies co-operation are often in the past, Microsoft is promoter of the League. Mid-90s, Intel CEO Andy Grove to Gates (Andy Grove) pressuring Intel to stop developing the software with Windows like, but Intel has made concessions.
From a technical perspective, Wintel alliance also is threatened. Processors Dell Latitude D610 Battery are getting smaller and smaller, even more powerful processing capability. Internet and wireless Internet access are becoming increasingly popular. This raises the centripetal force and centrifugal force, so that the computer data centers and mobile devices to both the development, which is Microsoft and Intel are not good at.
Other companies to fill the vacancy. As the iPhone and the iPod and other mobile devices from the success of Apple"s market capitalization has more than Microsoft. Through the Google data centers worldwide to provide Web-based services, similar services to compete with Microsoft.
Mobile computing and data centers to accelerate the development of the IT industry, "vertical affiliation." IT industry is the idea of a stack of pancakes, a representative of each technology, "layer", including chips, hardware, operating systems and applications. Microsoft, Intel and other large IT companies are only concerned with one of two, but now many companies are starting to strengthen vertical integration. In order to calculate the new form of better, and different layers to better match.
Apple"s relatively high degree of product integration, the company began to build large data centers, providing network-based services. Google Android system is developed. Enterprise IT services giant is also involved in each other"s fields, they think this is the only way to achieve growth. On the other hand, customers want to stop shopping. Cisco began selling servers, while HP into the network equipment business. Based on commercial software development industry, Oracle acquired last year, computer maker Sun.
Intel to face new challenges from our competitors. In the 42 years history, Intel"s main competitor is AMD, ARM, however, is becoming a new challenger. ARM does not manufacture chips themselves, but its design is based on a number of cell phone chips.
Antitrust officials also more difficult Wintel alliance, Microsoft and Intel can not lead to the sony vgp-bps8a battery expansion or maintenance of monopoly advantage. For example, Microsoft was forced to reach an agreement with the European Commission, the EU region to provide a variety of Windows users to install browser options. The European Commission also eyeing Intel, and in May 2009 a fine of 1.06 billion euros of the company. Intel is working with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to conduct consultations on the pricing.
Wintel alliance lead users dissatisfied
In response to these threats, Microsoft began to invest heavily in cloud computing services. Microsoft has established a global data center network, and develop a cloud computing operating system, Azure. Microsoft also offers a number of software, online version, such as Office. In addition, Microsoft reached an agreement with national anti-trust department, and more adoption of open standards.
But in many other areas, Microsoft is in trouble. Despite the billions of dollars invested, Microsoft"s Internet business continued losses. In addition to Xbox Live, the Microsoft"s new Internet service is difficult to attract the eye. Microsoft"s new search service will be (Bing) in U.S. market share is still only 13%. Worse, Microsoft"s mobile business is confusion. After just 48 days in release, Microsoft gave up two Kin phone. The latest version of Microsoft"s smartphone operating system will be available until the end of this year. In the flat panel computing, Microsoft has also lagged behind.
Compared Ballmer, Intel CEO Paul Otellini (Paul Otellini) is more solid position. When Intel lost just as revealed in the competition when Otellini to quickly cut costs and adjust the goal of Intel. Otellini expects Intel"s chips will appear in all internet connections with smart devices.
Otellini will now pin their hopes on the Atom processor. For the family of processors, Intel did not seek a more powerful performance, but rather to seek cheaper prices and lower power consumption. In this way, Intel"s processors will be used in television sets, sewing machines, and robotics equipment. As these devices may require special procedures, so Intel has to enter the software market. June 2009, Intel acquired the operating system vendor Wind River embedded processor.
However, Intel still faces significant obstacles. Although many Internet start using this product Atom processor, but to judge whether the success of the series processor is too early. Relatively Intel products, ARM chip"s power consumption is smaller, lower cost. If Intel does not reduce the margin to provide a more competitive price, then sales of next-generation Atom processor is not optimistic.
Intel executives, however, remains optimistic. They think, Atom processor, the hardware manufacturers will be attractive because of Atom processors still use the Intel Architecture, the developer without additional learning new technologies. In addition, compared with other companies, Intel has developed faster transistors smaller. In fact, this is a dispute Intel has long faced, as long as Moore"s Law continue to be effective, then Intel"s position is strong. However, some industry insiders believe Sony VGP-BPL2 battery that the continuation of Moore"s Law pace of development proposed would be very difficult chip.
Regardless of whether the two companies Microsoft and Intel will continue to be successful, both companies are lopsided. For example, although Microsoft has not yet developed the latest Windows Mobile system, but Intel has been working with Nokia to develop open-source mobile operating system Meego. The co-operation with ARM, Microsoft will develop their own chips.
With the disintegration of Wintel alliance, the computer industry will change a lot. The industry will no longer be controlled by the two giants, 8-9 furniture has some degree of vertical integration of firms will lead the market. Oracle, Cisco and IBM to snatch business customers, Apple and Google will focus on the consumer market. IT industry is toward multi-polar.