Microsoft Announces Modern OS

Left to right: Microsoft CVP Nick Parker, CVP Roanne Sones, and VP Rodney Clark.

In an otherwise innocuous blog post about new PCs announce at Computex, Microsoft talked up the need for something it calls Modern OS. And it does not appear to be Windows 10.

“A modern operating system is required for these new, modern PCs and innovative devices that the ecosystem will continue to build and bring to market,” Microsoft’s Nick Parker writes after running down a list of new PCs from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI.

Of this Modern OS—and, yes, it’s both “Modern OS” and “a modern OS”—Parker says it:

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Provides a set of enablers that deliver the foundational experiences customers expect from their devices. These enablers include “seamless updates where updates are invisibly done in the background; the update experience is deterministic, reliable, and instant with no interruptions.” So he clearly not talking about Windows 10.

Is secure by default. The state of this system, he says, “is separated from the operating system and compute is separated from applications. This protects the user from malicious attacks throughout the device lifecycle.”

Is always connected. The modern OS includes modern Wi-Fi and LTE 5G that just works. “Users never have to worry about dead spots,” he writes. “All of a user’s devices are aware and connected to each other.“

Provides sustained performance. “From the moment a user picks up their device, everything is ready to go, without having to worry about the next time the PC needs to be charged.” Sounds like he’s talking about a Qualcomm powered PC there.

Includes a set of delighters that deliver innovative human-centric experiences. These experiences are powered by AI, Parker says. “A modern OS is aware of what a user is doing tomorrow and helps them get it done, and it enhances applications making them more intelligent.

Is multi-sense. “People can use pen, voice, touch, even gaze – whatever input method a user wants to use works just as well as the keyboard and mouse.”

Provides the ultimate in form factor agility. “A modern OS has the right sensor support and posture awareness to enable the breadth of innovative form factors and applications that our partner ecosystem will deliver.”

Parker says that Microsoft is now “investing” in these “enablers and delighters” that underpin its vision for the Modern OS.

“They will provide the foundational elements for an evolution of the PC ecosystem and enable partners to deliver the more human-centric experiences of tomorrow,” he explains. “Microsoft [will also] deliver new modern experiences that take advantage of silicon advancements, powerful PCs, the cloud and power of AI. Experiences like an Asian Inking platform, cognitive recognition services that help with photo tagging and new Your Phone capabilities that let users mirror their Android phone screen on their PC and use the PC mouse and keyboard to interact with phone apps and content using either Wi-Fi or LTE.”

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  • thalter

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 7:28 am

    <p>This sounds good. Allow me to read betweeen the lines and speculate:</p><p><br></p><p>”Seamless” and “invisible” updates sure sound a lot like apt or yum on Linux. Perhaps they are implementing something like live updates (which allows the kernel to be patched without rebooting) on the Windows kernel? Maybe they are even using Linux as the underlying core? Microsoft has been growing a lot of in-house Linux experience lately between Azure IoT and Windows Subsystem for Linux, so I wouldn’t rule this out.</p><p><br></p><p>“System state separated from Operating System” seems to imply some sort of hypervisor, and ”Compute separated from applications” seems to imply some sort of application sandboxing or containerization, either via Docker or some other or proprietary solution. Again, these are very good things that we’ve been asking for for years.</p><p><br></p><p>This sounds like a very promising development, and very similar to Chrome OS. Despite not being called Windows, I would guess that there will be at least limited support for Win32 applications, probably through some sort of add-on containerization solution, and probably just for store apps (no side loading of Win32 apps). As Windows RT and Windows 10 S demonstrated, completely cutting off Win32 is a step to far for many users.</p>

    • zybch

      29 May, 2019 - 8:57 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431224">In reply to thalter:</a></em></blockquote><p>Moving away from Win32 will quite likely be a non event for most users now in the exact opposite way in which the Windows RT based Surface bombed (though I still use mine).</p><p>Other than games, most users pretty much just hop into a browser and live there, and even the business world has begrudgingly moved to a mostly-cloud environment from document creation, financial and even once desktop-bound applications are increasingly available to use via some remote data center somewhere.</p><p><br></p><p>Not all of course, and certainly hardly anyone that visits this site, but virtually anything I can think a 'normie' would do can accomplished in a browser. Hell, I even do 3D modelling on the cloud now with not a single local CPU cycle required.</p>

      • Jaxidian

        29 May, 2019 - 12:40 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431256">In reply to zybch:</a></em></blockquote><p>Have you worked in a Fortune 100 company? What you described certainly does not sound like most of these companies.</p>

  • Kevin Costa

    29 May, 2019 - 7:36 am

    <p>So that's the name of Windows Core OS?</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 7:54 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431227">In reply to Kevin_Costa:</a></em></blockquote><p>I can't believe they'll really call anything Modern. The problem with this name, as a brand, is that it won't always be considered "modern." </p>

      • zybch

        29 May, 2019 - 8:49 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431235">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>Thats been the whole point of moving from a version numbering name for MS Office, to a year related title for everything since Office 97. I think that was the first to use a year, 95's release was 'Office for Windows 95' so not technically a year-branded release.</p><p>Heaven forbid you were still using Office 2003 when the 2007 version was out etc etc</p><p><br></p><p>But to call any major piece of software 'modern' just sounds bad. Imagine if Android 2.3 and 2.4 (Gingerbread) had been called 'modern'…</p>

  • jwpear

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 7:38 am

    <p>Interesting! How does this succeed where WP and Windows 10S failed? Is this purely for education at the start and trickles into mainstream as students enter post-school life and the workforce?</p><p><br></p><p>Will it be on crap hardware, like many of the early Chromebooks, or will we see pleasing, premium materials, innovative design, and premium components (e.g. battery)?</p><p><br></p><p>What will it cost to get this on decent hardware with super long battery life?</p><p><br></p><p>Will Microsoft offer their own hardware with this OS?</p><p><br></p><p>Will Microsoft improve the Office Web App experience to bring it inline with the desktop apps or will there be some other form of native apps on this thing? My feeling is that Google Docs and the like are still a bit ahead of Office Web Apps. It feels like this will be needed to get us "old" folks to buy in.</p><p><br></p><p>My wife could absolutely get by with something like this, or a Chromebook, if it weren't for the d**n coupon printers (which I find to be crapware, but she insists she needs to occasionally print a coupon). </p><p><br></p>

    • jchampeau

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 7:49 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431228">In reply to jwpear:</a></em></blockquote><p>If this does take hold and people/organizations actually adopt and use it, I think it'll be because there isn't an inevitable built-in moment of disappointment that comes from users trying to do something they think they'll be able to do but can't, like install a printer driver on 10S.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 7:53 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431228">In reply to jwpear:</a></em></blockquote><p>Unclear. </p><p><br></p><p>No real mention of apps, either. </p><p><br></p><p>Yes, Microsoft will offer Surface PCs with this new system.</p>

  • spacein_vader

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 7:51 am

    <p>Cometh the hour, cometh the penguin.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>With a TIFKAM overlay obviously.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 7:54 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431232">In reply to spacein_vader:</a></em></blockquote><p>lol</p>

      • spacein_vader

        Premium Member
        29 May, 2019 - 10:20 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431236">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>In all seriousness it'll be Windows RT with added containerisation to try to beat ChromeOS.</p>

        • skane2600

          29 May, 2019 - 10:58 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431303">In reply to spacein_vader:</a></em></blockquote><p>Windows trying to beat ChomeOS would be like LeBron James trying to beat Peter Dinklage at basketball.</p>

  • Hal9000

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 7:51 am

    <p>Sounds like iOS</p>

    • zybch

      29 May, 2019 - 8:43 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431233">In reply to Hal9000:</a></em></blockquote><p>Actually, sounds exactly like Windows Phone, even down to the 'modern' moniker.</p>

      • Hal9000

        Premium Member
        29 May, 2019 - 8:54 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431250">In reply to zybch:</a></em></blockquote><p>You are correct, I feel embarrassed for forgetting about Windows Phone, even though I used it for its entire lifespan.</p>

    • dstrauss

      29 May, 2019 - 3:27 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431233">In reply to Hal9000:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree with your first post – sounds exactly like Office 365 apps on iOS – unfortunately Apple is ten years ahead of them at this point. Watch for the announcements at WWDC next week to see if iOS on iPad is not headed exactly where Microsoft is trying to get its footing…</p>

  • greenloco

    29 May, 2019 - 8:02 am

    <p>Nickel OS ?</p>

  • Daekar

    29 May, 2019 - 8:06 am

    <p>So…. I would love to see this succeed, but I can't see any reason to believe that it will. Maybe if it runs apps from other OSes like Windows, Android, and Linux in containers.</p>

    • Passinttd

      29 May, 2019 - 8:17 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431239">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree that it would have to run other applications in containers but Microsoft has that technology. This is purely because people like use get hung up on these applications though. I know of quite a few people, some even in tech, that have switched to Chrome Books as their go to laptop for travel. Microsoft needs to address and compete with this, not Windows. They need something to keep them relevant in the light and fast world and not just the Windows world. Windows 10 is going to be for you. This future OS might not be and that is okay. It really may be time for Microsoft to have two separate operating systems out in the world with different focuses! Just my two cents of course.</p>

      • Daekar

        29 May, 2019 - 9:01 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431242">In reply to Passinttd:</a></em></blockquote><p>So, the funny thing is that I think both Windows 10 and Modern OS are going to be for me. The way I use a PC, I could probably get away with using the web client version of Office a significant percentage of the time – in fact, I usually DO use the web client for Outlook.com and To Do, which are my most frequently-accessed person programs (aside from whatever game has my attention at the moment).</p><p><br></p><p>I would miss a native OneDrive client, but could get by without one if necessary. The real reason I haven't embraced ChromeOS is Google, not any technical deficiency.</p>

        • Tony Barrett

          29 May, 2019 - 10:33 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431257">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Do you really trust MS any more than Google? Jeeez, if anything MS are worse. At least Google are honest about what they do.</p>

    • skane2600

      29 May, 2019 - 1:33 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431239">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't know why people think that running Android apps or Linux on Windows will make much of a difference. Windows programs make up a functional superset of Android apps (with the exception of mobile-specific apps) while Linux is essentially non-existent among the majority of average users. Many people find Android on their smartphones to be adequate but what would they gain by running mobile apps on a non-mobile platform that they weren't designed for?</p><p><br></p><p>I think once again, tech enthusiasts are projecting their own desires on typical users. </p>

  • geoslake

    29 May, 2019 - 8:31 am

    <p>Yeah, MOS sounds good !</p><p>Hope it will run on the 6502, now that would be modern !</p>

    • MikeGalos

      29 May, 2019 - 11:11 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431244">In reply to geoslake:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, the 6502 <em>is</em> modern compared to falling back on a stripped down version of Multics the way every company that failed at writing an actual operating system has done over the last 30 years.</p>

      • jimchamplin

        Premium Member
        29 May, 2019 - 12:11 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431342">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>A stripped down MULTICS would be a kernel and scheduler and that’s about it. </p>

        • MikeGalos

          29 May, 2019 - 12:27 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431362">In reply to jimchamplin:</a></em></blockquote><p>That's one way to strip it down, another would be what Thompson and Ritchie did back in 1969 when they stripped MULTICS down and change multi to uni.</p>

          • jimchamplin

            Premium Member
            29 May, 2019 - 2:38 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#431366">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Essentially yes. I just meant more that it wasn’t very complicated to start with. ?</p>

          • JHancox

            30 May, 2019 - 5:02 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#431366">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>You're going to be so disappointed when Modern OS runs on the Linux kernel…</p>

            • skane2600

              30 May, 2019 - 6:07 pm

              <blockquote><em><a href="#431801">In reply to JHancox:</a></em></blockquote><p>Who cares what kernel it runs on? Certainly not the average end-user who's knowledge of kernels ends with popcorn. Some people prefer a Linux distro to Windows but a Linux distro is far more than just a kernel. If MS made a new desktop OS that used a Linux kernel it still wouldn't be "Linux on the desktop" unless they made it a full Linux distro. </p>

            • MikeGalos

              30 May, 2019 - 6:58 pm

              <blockquote><em><a href="#431801">In reply to JHancox:</a></em></blockquote><p>And there's as much chance of that as it running on MVS or Multics or VMS. Why would Microsoft want to have a "Modern OS" that's running on a kernel that's architected to what wasn't even state of the art in 1969 when their current system is decades newer? </p><p><br></p><p>Remember, Microsoft, unlike Apple or IBM or Google or the various unix clones has actually written an operating system for a personal computer and not just a shell on top of somebody else's simplified version of a mainframe OS designed for punchcards and patched repeatedly to look like it doesn't belong on Mad Men.</p>

  • reefer

    29 May, 2019 - 8:37 am

    <p>Sounds just like a derivate of Windows 10S or something.</p>

    • solomonrex

      29 May, 2019 - 9:35 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431248">In reply to reefer:</a></em></blockquote><blockquote>I'll be shocked if it isn't Chromium built on Azure. They're signaling heavily in that direction.</blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote>I'd also be shocked if they didn't have certain skus with some Wintel backwards compatibility built-in, like the Quallcomm books.</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • slbailey1

      29 May, 2019 - 10:30 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431248">In reply to reefer:</a></em></blockquote><p>This is the start of the saleing of Windows Core OS( (what I like to call Microsoft OS).</p>

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 8:37 am

    <p>seems big … like it needs unpacked in a deeper dive </p><p><br></p><p>is this a lot of MBA buzzwords to say … windows phone 2 is coming ? Except it’s mOS ? </p>

    • solomonrex

      29 May, 2019 - 9:37 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431249">In reply to red.radar:</a></em></blockquote><p>'Delighters' is a real low point in corporate buzzspeak, instant membership to the Buzzword Hall of Shame.</p>

      • MikeGalos

        29 May, 2019 - 1:15 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431277">In reply to solomonrex:</a></em></blockquote><p>Sadly, "delighters" has become a fairly standard term now for new features that the end user notices and is pleased to use. I agree that it belongs with "proactive" in neologism hell but it has become a standard part of jargon in product design.</p>

  • ruusterc

    29 May, 2019 - 8:47 am

    <p>this is there version of chrome OS they cant call it edge os because that has a negative contation in its current form am if they were to base it off the chrome based version of edge it would just be chrome os</p>

  • navarac

    29 May, 2019 - 9:13 am

    <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">enablers and delighters? </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">More jingoistic rubbish speak.</span></p>

  • Pierre Masse

    29 May, 2019 - 9:18 am

    <p>Can't they just announce the damned thing instead of playing with people's mind?</p>

  • lefrinj

    29 May, 2019 - 9:26 am

    <p>"Remember. Genisys Is Skynet. When that OS comes online, Judgment Day begins…"</p><p><br></p><p>:-) </p>

  • ben55124

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 9:39 am

    <p>Everything we learned from WinRT plus modern, enabling and delightful! Free 12 pack of New Coke included with every device. Also see our exciting new lineup of SKU OS. /s</p>

  • brduffy

    29 May, 2019 - 9:53 am

    <p>Yeah definitely room for something like this. It sounds similar to Chrome OS and that is appealing to users who don't want to be bothered with trying to understand the underlying OS very much. I just bought a Chromebook for my mom, ASUS C434. It arrives Thursday. I think it just makes more sense for her. Her whole world is the browser. She wouldn't know how to save a file to the hard drive if her life depended on it. I think as long as Chrome OS and [Modern OS] focus on being simple for users they will have a place in the market.</p>

  • maethorechannen

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 10:02 am

    <p>I'm wondering if this is actually a respin of ChromiumOS. It really wouldn't surprise me these days.</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 11:35 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431298">In reply to maethorechannen:</a></em></blockquote><p>I’ve thought the very same thing.</p>

    • danmac

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 12:07 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431298">In reply to maethorechannen:</a></em></blockquote><p>Can you imagine Chrome OS that can run win32 apps? I'd buy it. </p>

      • hrlngrv

        Premium Member
        29 May, 2019 - 3:03 pm

        <p><a href="https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/207439/microsoft-announces-modern-os#431360&quot; target="_blank"><em>In reply to danmac:</em></a></p><p>Picky, but Chrome OS in developer mode running crouton running wine can run Win32 software. OK, not all Win32 software.</p><p>The exact architecture of Modern OS remains to be seen. Will MSFT come out with an OS which uses multiple disk partitions? Will user directories be on a separate disk partition? Will that be encrypted by default? If it really is based on Chromium OS, will it be able to run Linux and Android software the way Chrome OS can?</p>

  • Jeff.Bane

    29 May, 2019 - 10:10 am

    <p>Why does this sound like Windows RT?</p>

    • Tony Barrett

      29 May, 2019 - 10:31 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431300">In reply to Jeff.Bane:</a></em></blockquote><p>Because it basically is. They even called Windows 8 (RT) the 'modern desktop', and now we get a 'modern OS'. It's all PR bull. Yes, it's a windows kernel under the hood, and MS will once again try to jetison win32 and push UWP or maybe PWA. It will likely be centered around a browser based interface – which sounds uncannily like Microsoft's attempt at making a Chromebook, but it already has 'failure' written all over it.</p>

    • nfeed2000t

      29 May, 2019 - 1:44 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#431300"><em>In reply to Jeff.Bane: </em></a>Yes it sounds exactly like RT.&nbsp;A simpler and more secure OS has always been needed and RT was the start.&nbsp;The first implementation of RT was clunky, unattractive, and the hardware was very slow.&nbsp;MS decided to drop RT instead of aggressively improving it month after month.&nbsp;Years have been lost but I am hopeful.</blockquote><p><br></p>

      • skane2600

        29 May, 2019 - 1:59 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431398">In reply to nfeed2000t:</a></em></blockquote><p>The problem with RT wasn't that it was unattractive or that the hardware was slow. The problem was people weren't interested in a Windows device that couldn't run Windows programs. The failure of UWP and the relative success of the non-RT Surface devices make it very clear. Win32 compatibility is the key feature of Windows and any Windows-branded device that fails to support it or supports it badly will fail.</p>

  • dcdevito

    29 May, 2019 - 10:37 am

    <p>Why wasn’t this announced at Build? Imagine if this was Linux based. Oh boy. Colored me intrigued and dare I say excited?!</p>

  • PeteB

    29 May, 2019 - 10:43 am

    <p>"enablers and delighters"</p><p><br></p><p>Oh STFU</p>

  • rmlounsbury

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 10:45 am

    <p>Maybe the "Year of the Linux Desktop" will still happen… Just from the most unlikely possible source imaginable. </p>

  • skane2600

    29 May, 2019 - 10:51 am

    <p>"Provides a set of enablers that deliver the foundational experiences customers expect from their devices"</p><p><br></p><p>Translation: I have no idea WTF this is.</p>

  • MikeGalos

    29 May, 2019 - 11:08 am

    <p>After discussing rumors of a Modular Windows and Composable Shell and Always Connected PCs for literally years now, why is everyone acting like they're totally surprised to see all those items being discussed and have no idea that these things have been in development?</p><p><br></p><p>No, Microsoft isn't replacing personal computers with a smart terminal like ChromeOS.</p><p>No, Microsoft hasn't abandoned the only successful operating system architecture in 30 years to go to a stripped down version of the Multics 1960s mainframe/terminal OS like everybody else did who couldn't write an actual operating system.</p><p><br></p><p>This is the company that wrote a modern personal computer operating system at a time when Apple, IBM and Motorola working separately and as a consortium failed at their attempts. Repeatedly.</p><p>This is the company that has the only major technology think tank left in Microsoft Research.</p><p>This is the company that has virtually all the world's systems level architects and programmers on staff.</p><p><br></p><p>Did you really think they were all focusing on how to do "Dark Mode" as the landscape and ecosystem of computing devices changed radically?</p><p><br></p><p>I mean, seriously, haven't any of you been listening to Satya dropping hints for the last five years? Haven't any of you been paying attention at all?</p>

    • Jeremy Turnley

      29 May, 2019 - 12:31 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431341">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>And yet this "announcement" consists of nothing. It's a long string of buzzwords that get thrown around in boardrooms and meetings with VPs that don't have any meaning to the people who are actually building the product, or the people who they think will want to use it. So despite all of those things you mentioned, they come off like people who don't know anything about their market or their customers, making a product that nobody will understand or want.</p><p><br></p><p>Seriously, this gobbledygook buzzword bingo announcement did more damage to MS than good, and it's going to do nothing but generate bad press for whatever Modern OS ends up being. </p>

      • MikeGalos

        29 May, 2019 - 1:08 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431379">In reply to illrigger:</a></em></blockquote><p>This wasn't an announcement. That will come later. I'd guess within a couple of months. </p><p><br></p><p>I'd note that the two paragraphs today said a huge amount to the systems people at Computex. Additionally, Paul managed to put together a bullet list of architectural features. Those who can't translate it or understand Paul's translation probably should wait for the announcement itself when the details can be broken down by marketing into a list of features and benefits designed for non-technical end users.</p><p><br></p>

        • skane2600

          29 May, 2019 - 1:22 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431387">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>Nice variation on <em>The Emperor's New Clothes. </em>Obviously anyone who doesn't think Microsoft has clearly described a new OS must be non-technical. </p>

          • MikeGalos

            29 May, 2019 - 1:32 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#431391">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>No. It's not a "clear description". It's a first teaser. As I said the announcement will be later. And Paul managed to read the 2 paragraph teaser and create a bullet list of features. If you can't that isn't because the information isn't there.</p>

            • skane2600

              29 May, 2019 - 1:53 pm

              <blockquote><em><a href="#431393">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think you're making an artificial distinction between a description and a teaser (and of course, teaser is just your characterization anyway). Whatever you want to call it, much of it wasn't technically credible. </p><p><br></p><p>“Users never have to worry about dead spots" Seriously? The OS is the only factor with respect to connectivity? </p>

              • Greg Green

                30 May, 2019 - 10:08 pm

                <blockquote><em><a href="#431402">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>Spot on regarding the ridiculousness of the dead spot point. I can understand an emphasis on WiFi compatibility, but the os has almost nothing to do with dead spots.</p>

        • curtisspendlove

          29 May, 2019 - 8:10 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431387">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p><em>Those who can't translate it or understand Paul's translation probably should wait for the announcement itself when the details can be broken down by marketing into a list of features and benefits designed for non-technical end users.</em></p><p><br></p><p>I’m confused. You think this write-up was for technical people?</p><p><br></p><p>In my two decades of software development I’ve never been asked to implement an “enabler“.</p><p><br></p><p>In my half decade of software delivery I’ve never been asked to ship “delighters”. </p><p><br></p><p>The parts of this that aren't architecturally sketchy (Bluetooth Low Energy is a generally more energy efficient way to connect devices together than WiFi or LTE) are fairly obvious (users expect devices to accept and adapt to accelerometer or form factor input). </p>

          • MikeGalos

            29 May, 2019 - 11:43 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#431495">In reply to curtisspendlove:</a></em></blockquote><p>Apparently it must be since, although Paul was able to easily pull out a list of features, skane2600 found it too difficult to understand.</p>

            • skane2600

              30 May, 2019 - 3:07 am

              <blockquote><em><a href="#431509">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>I would have thought that an Ad hominem attack was beneath you, but apparently not.</p>

              • MikeGalos

                30 May, 2019 - 11:50 am

                <blockquote><em><a href="#431520">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>You're the one saying <em>"I have no idea WTF this is."</em></p>

                • skane2600

                  30 May, 2019 - 12:50 pm

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#431660">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>You didn't get it. I was "translating" Parker's statement which is why I used the word "translation". It wouldn't make any sense for a translation to be attributed to the translator, right? IMO, he was speaking gobbledygook because he had no idea what this new OS actually was. </p>

                • MikeGalos

                  30 May, 2019 - 7:00 pm

                  <blockquote><em><a href="#431683">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>Oddly, Paul understood and I understood. </p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 11:36 am

    <p>Microsoft’s Mr. Parker reminds me of Pete Cetera of the band Chicago. Totally off topic I know. </p>

    • Pierre Masse

      29 May, 2019 - 6:41 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431351">In reply to jimchamplin:</a></em></blockquote><p>A cheeky Peter Cetera.</p>

  • glenn8878

    29 May, 2019 - 11:42 am

    <p>A modern OS is Android or iOS. Maybe they should fork Android or another Linux variation that's compatible on ARM. What else will it run on that power efficient and always on?</p>

  • curtisspendlove

    29 May, 2019 - 11:51 am

    <p>Hmmm…so the Surface EdgeBook. :)</p><p><br></p><p>Seriously, though… If Microsoft tossed Windows onto a Linux kernel, I’d have some decisions to make. Especially is Surface OS Pro supported a W32/W64 container level. </p>

  • Ron Diaz

    29 May, 2019 - 12:00 pm

    <p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Includes a set of delighters that deliver innovative human-centric experiences.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">what is this some kind of sexbot?</strong></p>

    • Jeremy Turnley

      29 May, 2019 - 12:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431358">In reply to Hypnotoad:</a></em></blockquote><p>Naah, a sexbot would be something people would actually want to use. This is just PR BS generated by playing management buzzword bingo.</p>

  • Jeremy Turnley

    29 May, 2019 - 12:21 pm

    <p>They used the term "delighters" so obviously this was an announcement written by someone who has no idea what the product actually is. Terms like that are only used by mid level management and higher who lack any sort of useful knowledge in the field they are "managing".</p>

    • polarPorg

      29 May, 2019 - 2:28 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431363">In reply to illrigger:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yep. Even when Apple used Surprise and Delight I couldn't stand it. I've never been surprised or delighted by technology. Impressed? sure. </p>

  • bart

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 12:22 pm

    <p>Sorry, does Mr. Parker work for Microsoft? 😉 </p>

  • mike2k

    29 May, 2019 - 12:59 pm

    <p>Sounds like another failed MS product is coming</p>

  • drbohner

    29 May, 2019 - 1:28 pm

    <p>Why can't they just go back to using the OpenVMS kernel?</p>

    • warren

      30 May, 2019 - 8:39 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431392">In reply to drbohner:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Huh? Microsoft never used the OpenVMS kernel. </p>

      • MikeGalos

        30 May, 2019 - 11:19 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431542">In reply to warren:</a></em></blockquote><p>I believe that's repeating the old Unix fan myth (which gives you an idea of its age) that since a lowly Personal Computer software company could never write a <em>real </em>operating system and since Dave Cutler was the architect of both NT and VMS that NT was really just VMS .&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>drbohner seems to have updated that to a version of VMS that (s)he'd had heard of.</p>

  • skane2600

    29 May, 2019 - 1:40 pm

    <p>So much "pie in the sky". Why not just add "An OS that is guaranteed to have zero bugs and zero vulnerabilities"?</p>

  • will

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 1:42 pm

    <p>Maybe the reason for having this announcement now is to put some noise out there before Apple has WWDC. It is vague enough that there is nothing Microsoft could point too, but it does give Microsoft some news cycles around a possible new OS.</p>

  • bbold

    29 May, 2019 - 1:44 pm

    <p>"Enablers" and "Delighters" sound like catch phrases in a whorehouse. Microsoft needs to fire and re-hire a brand new marketing team, imho! MS should have used at least half of their time at Build to announce this.</p>

  • datameister

    29 May, 2019 - 3:06 pm

    <p><span style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">From their blog post:</span></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">…</em><strong style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);"><em>seamless updates –&nbsp;</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">with a modern OS updates are invisibly done in the background; the update experience is deterministic, reliable, and instant with no interruptions!</em></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">…also&nbsp;</em><strong style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);"><em>secure by default</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">, the state is separated from the operating system; compute is separated from applications; this protects the user from malicious attacks throughout the device lifecycle.</em></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">…</em><strong style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);"><em>sustained performance</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">, from the moment a user picks up their device – everything is ready to go – without having to worry about the next time the PC needs to be charged.</em></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">…</em><strong style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);"><em>cloud-connected&nbsp;</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">experiences that use the compute power of the cloud to enhance users experiences on their devices.</em></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">…</em><strong style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);"><em>multi-sense.</em></strong><em style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">&nbsp;People can use pen, voice, touch, even gaze – what ever input method a user wants to use works just as well as the keyboard and mouse. </em></p><p><br></p><p>They basically just described Chrome OS with some minor tweaks and then went on to say Microsoft's vision is to deliver all of that and more. If they can actually get background updates to work like Chrome OS where it alternates between separate partitions, without eating up half of a 128GB SSD, then I will actually be delighted.</p>

    • hrlngrv

      Premium Member
      29 May, 2019 - 9:03 pm

      <p><a href="https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/207439/microsoft-announces-modern-os#431430&quot; target="_blank"><em>In reply to DataMeister:</em></a></p><blockquote>alternates between separate partitions, without eating up half of a 128GB SSD</blockquote><p>That's the big question. Part of how Chrome OS manages it is due to separate SMALL /boot partitions for the kernel, and somewhat larger rootfs partitions for /bin, /etc, /lib, /usr, etc. required to run the greeter (login UI) and Chrome browser. Apps are installed and stored per user in parts of user's home directories to which users have restricted access unless they switch to developer mode.</p><p><br></p><p>Chrome OS rootfs partitions are 1GB. I'd be deliriously happy if MSFT could shrink the equivalent of <strong>C:\Windows</strong> into just 4GB. Would Modern OS need something like <strong>C:\Program Files</strong> and <strong>C:\ProgramData</strong> (roughly analagous to /opt and /usr/local)? Maybe a tangent, but Modern OS would seem to be much simpler to implement as a single-user OS (or designated user plus guest account).</p>

  • Jhambi

    29 May, 2019 - 3:09 pm

    <p>Seems too little too late once again. The target audience have already moved on to Android, IOS and Chromebook. Desktop gaming and productivity will probably stick with Windows for now. But the writing is on the wall. Even Intel has started investing heavily in Linux with Clear.</p>

    • skane2600

      29 May, 2019 - 4:58 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431431">In reply to Jhambi:</a></em></blockquote><p>So the target audience is less than 1% of Windows users? </p>

      • Greg Green

        30 May, 2019 - 10:02 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#431458">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>No. According to Statcounter Windows is 38% of total os marketshare and android and iOS combined are 50%. </p><p><br></p><p>According to Netmarketshare desktop and laptop os marketshare combine at 40% and mobile is at 55%.</p><p><br></p><p>Most people now use very little windows, and when they do it’s probably for work.</p>

        • skane2600

          31 May, 2019 - 7:25 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#431895">In reply to Greg Green:</a></em></blockquote><p>The poster said the target audience were those who had "moved on" from Windows. That means people who were using Windows but then stopped when they bought a iPhone or an Android phone. Note that simply quoting relative marketshares doesn't measure that target group.</p><p><br></p><p>All of this is based on the popular but unproven assumption that smartphones are replacing desktop machines instead of just being purchased independently. </p>

  • darkgrayknight

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 5:39 pm

    <p>This does seem like Windows Phone, except in a HyperVisor. If they can make it run Android apps, PWAs, and Win32, then we have something truly viable</p>

  • dxtremebob

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 6:03 pm

    <p>I couldn't help but snicker when I read the word "delighters." Guess I watched too many episodes of "Beavis and Butthead" years back.</p>

  • codymesh

    29 May, 2019 - 7:49 pm

    <p>all I want is for windows to have seamless updates.</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    29 May, 2019 - 9:09 pm

    <p>I can hardly wait for someone to doctor the Ballmer video replacing <em>developers</em> with <em>delighters</em>.</p>

  • sharpsone

    29 May, 2019 - 9:38 pm

    <p>Bring it I'm game for some Modern OS… We could all use less Google in our lives this gives consumers another option. </p>

  • unfalln

    29 May, 2019 - 11:28 pm

    <p>Lipstick on the S Mode pig.</p>

  • misterstuart

    Premium Member
    30 May, 2019 - 4:04 pm

    <p>How can they expect people to get excited over a bunch of buzzwords and little else? Moreover, the name, 'Modern OS' is ridiculously lame! </p><p><br></p><p>This will almost certainly be a bust. </p><p><br></p>

  • CloneURpeople2

    30 May, 2019 - 5:11 pm

    <p>In that case, I believe I'll wait for the Postmodern OS, which shall consciously absorb and appropriate all of the above qualities, but then regurgitate a constant stream of bitterly ironic re-imaginings of all of them, at once, so as to show us the folly and sham of our noble pretenses. Dysfunctionality will rule, as apps refuse to comply with our greedy requests, and what we used to believe were flaws and bugs will reveal themselves as intentionally contrarian code laughing at our feeble intentions and illusions of success.</p><p>Jeff Koons may already be designing the flexible, rubbery, water and other stain resistant outer shell, expressly for our computing pleasure. RIP Doris Day, Que Sera, Sera, the Future's not ours to see.</p>

    • MikeGalos

      30 May, 2019 - 7:05 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#431805">In reply to CloneURpeople2:</a></em></blockquote><p>:-)</p><p><br></p>

  • Greg Green

    31 May, 2019 - 12:05 pm

    <p>Instead of talking about it, why haven’t they done it? They are an OS company after all.</p><p><br></p><p>And Parker and I have different ideas of what a delightful OS would be. I don’t want the OS to be ‘delightful’, I want it to run programs that may or may not be delightful. A truly delightful OS would be a nearly invisible one. Especially one that didn’t try to help me be more socially engaged.</p><p><br></p><p>When I think about it I find the refrigeration process in my refrigerator delightful because it almost never requires me to think about it. An OS should be similar.</p>

    • skane2600

      31 May, 2019 - 7:18 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#432084">In reply to Greg Green:</a></em></blockquote><p>The seamlessness of a basic refrigerator results entirely from it's singular and simple function. No meaningful OS could possibly be equivalently simple. The dominant factor in determining how complex a system is, is the depth and breadth of its capabilities. Simplicity and power are always trade-offs.</p>

  • BlackForestHam

    02 June, 2019 - 12:21 am

    <p>There are so many mechanical and grammatical errors in that blog post, I wonder if Nick was sober when he wrote it. </p>

  • arthemis

    02 June, 2019 - 5:12 am

    <p>The headline are misleading. Microsft hasnt "announced" anything about "modern os" other than more or less accidentially on one of their many blog sites.</p>

  • llewen

    04 June, 2019 - 8:53 am

    <p>I think what you are looking at is a Unix based OS, like iOS or Android. The question is, can MS pull this off without screwing the pooch, as they are prone to do. But on the face of it, it makes perfect sense, they would be building on a foundation that is already rock solid stable, supports more hardware than Windows 10, and already has well developed open source compatibility tools, tools that are, in many ways, superior to what Windows 10 offers.</p>

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