People always say this sort of stuff, but I feel like never really ask, is there any reason why Microsoft would do this?
Desktop revenue from apps is small and will get smaller. MS gets that the web will continue to grow larger.
I just don’t believe the App Store angle. I don’t think Satya does either. The cloud runs the company now. They did this for a different reason. I just feel like people aren’t even trying to reason through what it is.
My 2 cents, if MS control the app and store, it means no pirated office / sql server running on both servers and development machines.
Open source solutions may also meet a hindrance when they somehow collides with MS's line of business (postgres).
Theoretically Microsoft can get a cut from adobe subscription (no longer puchase, screw them too). They can also potentially force valve or epic for a fee or shared revenue, which is why steamOs are there. Netflix and spotify are also potential targets.
Then no telemetry can be published if MS said so, forcing third parties to deal somehow with MS.
But for Office they are already trying to move all the revenue to O365. That's the future and there you don't have to deal with piracy. I've never heard pirated copies of SQL Server being an issue.
And then, sure there's Adobe, but 99% of apps are pure web apps. No desktop client needed. Netflix Windows dekstop usage is small compared to their webpage and if MS pushed hard on this, they could just pull the app altogether.
The app store angle just isn't going to be this revenue monster for them long term. When I look at my desktop the only apps I have open are Microsoft and Adobe apps. That's it -- and the occassional game.
IMO, I think the thing they should care about the most is preventing ransomware/malware on their devices. Apps will be in the cloud, but the entry point is the device. Enterprises will want to have the most secure and easy to use entrypoint.
Desktop revenue from apps is small and will get smaller. MS gets that the web will continue to grow larger.
I just don’t believe the App Store angle. I don’t think Satya does either. The cloud runs the company now. They did this for a different reason. I just feel like people aren’t even trying to reason through what it is.