There’s been some talk this last week about Microsoft opening Windows to advertisers. In essence this is something that OEM system builders have been doing for years, but now it looks like we’ll have all types of advertising available to us.
It’s not only Microsoft doing this. Apple have in the last month filed a patent that will allow advertising to be embedded in their operating system. At least the good news here is that because Apple have patented it, Microsoft can’t use it 
In their patent application, Apple say…
Among other disclosures, an operating system presents one or more advertisements to a user and disables one or more functions while the advertisement is being presented. At the end of the advertisement, the operating system again enables the function(s). The advertisement can be visual or audible. The presentation of the advertisement(s) can be made as part of an approach where the user obtains a good or service, such as the operating system, for free or at reduced cost.
This raises an interesting question, and one that’s going to come to the fore when Google launch their Chrome OS, perhaps later this year. Would you want an ad-supported copy of Windows if it was cheap or free?
[poll id="15"]
We’re so used to advertising on website these days, and with many browser plug-ins able to block them completely, that they’ve become part of the landscape of the internet and most people are almost completely oblivious to them.
Advertising through your operating system would be a good way for companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Google to raise much-needed revenue to support the development of free OSes. It also looks like, with recent activity acting as a barometer, and with Google’s don’t charge for it ethos, that this is a road we’re heading down anyway.
It could be that Microsoft and Apple will try and sneak advertisements in through the back door while still charging customers for the privilege. They may only use them on pirated copies, though this would make the Apple patent, if you’ll excuse the pun, patently odd.
Clearly with these announcements, both Apple and Microsoft are gearing up for the launch of the new Google OS. It will be interesting what moves these companies make in the coming year on this and here at Windows 7 News and www.windows8news.com we’ll be watching for announcements carefully.
I can already get Windows 7 Ultimate for free. Why would I run an add littered version?
I expect push advertising on the web. I do not want it in my software. I hated it when Opera and Eudora did it, I don’t imagine I would like it any more now.
Now who can guarantee that adware will not become spyware next day, briefly popping up window with some “I Agree” button and spying on your online activities. And user, who’ll try to stop such activity will render his system useless.
Yes, I would. It would take all of two days for someone to make Ad-Block for Windows.
I second you
Like the guy above me, I can get Win7Ultimate64 for free so no, I do not want a littered version.
It depends on how annoying the advertising would be. I’m currently using a pirated Ultimate edition(activated) and I’m perfectly happy with it.
I would hate ad-supported OS. There’s enough with having to deal with internet browsers slowing down because of flash, audio, or video ads. All the ads load and you’re still waiting for the real info to load. Very. Annoying.
No..they are testing the market and pushing it…..no we dont want that. Plus Microsoft should be happy we even want to have them installed because in the near future there will be free OS floating around and all we need to do is to pick one.
No..they are testing the market and pushing it…..no we dont want that. Plus Microsoft should be happy we even want to have them installed because in the near future there will be free OS floating around and all we need to do is to pick one.
No way, if they weren’t removable! If there was an Adblock Plus for the OS, maybe. But the probable performance loss would drive me crazy.
I am not going to address the issue of whatever Apple is doing, but how does Microsoft cutting deals for branded themes in any way suggest they “are gearing up for the launch of the new Google OS?” All that represents is speculation based upon a pretty much meaningless fact from a company that is always exploring new ways of generating revenue. Pretty much a National Enquirer level of logic on this one – grab a bit of information and then use it to prove the space aliens captured Elvis. BTW, 1) that Apple Patent app (even if registered) wouldn’t last the first bit of litigation in any US court, 2) the suggestion that Google really has a “don’t charge for it ethos” is amazingly naive. Unless interpreted very narrowly, that patent is attempting to protect for Apple tecnology that has existed for years. It also looks a lot more like something they would try to push with iPhones, not laptops and desktops. As far as Google goes, they charge license fees for lots of things and don’t collect your personal information via their search engine and apps just to satisfy someone’s curiousity. Microsoft and Apple charge you for products – Google charges you in indirect and far more pervasive ways. Google is as bad as Microsoft ever was as far as predatory practices – they just do it behind “Smiley Faces” and lava lamps….
Stephen
Doesn’t line up with Microsoft’s business model.. Would seem like a bigger waste of time to develop it.. I doubt Google is gonna put ads all over their os.. Maybe as you browse pages like normal etc.. However.. If Microsoft did release the Windows 7 Starter with basic theme and options for downloading sponsored themes etc and released it all for free I would consider it.. As for the people saying they can pirate any windows they want.. So can I but you shouldn’t take credit for the original pirates hard work..
I feel Microsoft and Apple are looking into advertising more to anticipate when their OS will go into the cloud. A web-based OS could clearly profit more from this than an OS fixed on your computer.
A web-based OS with ads could be free and the one without could be at a cost. We see this already happening online with service providing websites.
Imagine: every time you wanna start WMP your screen turns grey and an ad is displayed in the middle and after the ad has finished your system goes back to normal and opens the WMP…
No, I DON’T WANT THAT!
I’m happy with my genuine and ad-free copy of Windows 7 =)