Developing: Microsoft releases "Albany" to beta testers
 

Neowin is receiving reports that Microsoft has released codename "Albany" to beta testers. While details remain scarce, we do have a copy of Albany installed, and have discovered a little bit about what it is. It appears to be a collection of pieces of software from Microsoft, such as Office Home and Student and Windows Live OneCare, available on a subscription basis, possibly the start of Microsoft moving to a "software as a service" sales model.

The subscription also promises free updates, but it is unclear right now if that means major updates, or the updates users who own the full versions of the product receive on a monthly basis. In addition, Microsoft has promised a free subscription, when the beta ends, to the first 200 beta testers who install the software.

The installation takes "about 20 minutes", and includes a software center of sorts, once installed, which allows you to launch the products included.

Screenshot: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5


Read full story...

More...