Microsoft Sticking it to Intel

Hiero

Banned
Feb 10, 2001
169
0
0
Is it me or is M$ killing two birds with one stone. First they kill Bluetooth, backed by Intel, on XP by not supporting it. Then they say there won't be any USB 2.0 support in XP, preferring Firewire instead. USB 2.0 is also heavily backed by Intel. I think M$ is getting back at Intel for all the support it put behind Linux in '98 and '99, and the other OSes it's strongly supporting in its 64-bit OS.
M$ is also trying to appease Apple by supporting 802.11 wireless network and Firewire, two technologies strongly backed by Apple Computer. I believe that the real reason behind this backing is so that Apple doesn't give them a hard time (legally) when it comes to XPs interface, since M$ literally stole some of Apple's IP.
Seems like M$ is going to win out in both cases. Man, predatory but smart.
 

BruinEd03

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2001
2,399
1
0
hm...doesn't MS own a part of apple? i thought they bought some stock a few years back...also firewre is faster than USB...then again how many people are going to use XP remains to be seen...

-Ed
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Well, technically since MS really "borrowed" their original UI from Apple the first time around, I'm sure they won't mind this time :)

Of course, I've never understood the argument regarding the idea of "looking like" a competitor's product. Sure, I could build a body kit of a Ferrari around my Accord, but lets get real.
 

vash

Platinum Member
Feb 13, 2001
2,510
0
0
Microsoft is really going for what is "already established" with Windows XP. Firewire is widely used already in the world, along with wireless 802.11b. Most of the manufacturers of 802.11b have products available that are working, TODAY. Bluetooth bombed at a recent demo, so its really just vaporware until its up and running with EVERYONE on the same version of the Bluetooth spec.

USB2.0 is quietly here (yes, you can buy peripherals), but its not widely used/adopted for most peripherals that people buy today (mice, digi cams, scanners, printers, etc).

XP is meant to run tried and tested things. USB2.0 and Bluetooth aren't those things. I still refuse to buy XP as long as the cost is over $50/year. I highly doubt I will upgrade (even if they meet my pricing qualifications) because Microsoft has publically stated they will be able to update the OS without you knowing it. With that kind if technology, they have the power to look at my box, anytime they want.

That, my friends, is enough for me not to install any OS -- reguardless of who does/doesn't write it.

vash
 

DannyLove

Lifer
Oct 17, 2000
12,876
4
76
I like the way you referred to Microsoft by "M$" instead of "MS" :)

danny~!
 

tim0thy

Golden Member
Oct 23, 2000
1,936
0
0


<< Microsoft has publically stated they will be able to update the OS without you knowing it. With that kind if technology, they have the power to look at my box, anytime they want. >>

The only way I would be ok with that is if Microsoft allowed me to look into their boxes. :)
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Microsoft has publically stated they will be able to update the OS without you knowing it. With that kind if technology, they have the power to look at my box, anytime they want.

Sweet, I can wake up in the morning and my OS is even less stable than it was the night before!!

Firewire is the madd crazy shiznit. My PS2 has a firewire port!
 

Digobick

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,467
0
76
Just because XP doesn't support Bluetooth or USB 2.0 natively, why can't Intel make drivers of their own? They did it with USB 1.0 and Win95b.
 

jsm

Banned
Oct 11, 1999
971
0
0
Bluetooth is late to market mostly because of security holes. But, lots of other vendors are supporting Bluetooth (Ericsson for instance).

802.11 is soooo insecure. WiFi has been cracked a long time ago and even if you use MAC address control, people can still get on your network.

Firewire is cool since it does not need a host CPU to power it like USB does. Anyhow, USB 2.0 was just a reaction by Intel and other groups because Apple was jacking up the price of Firewire controllers. But, Apple brought the prices down after enough protest.

Anyhow, just because MS does not support USB 2.0 does not mean Intel is not going to produce drivers for it.

Soo... how many people here have Firewire devices?