Yes, it’s 2008, ladies and gentlemen! Everybody is drawing lines and adding up, some are even brave enough to start planning out this (hoping to be) wonderful year.
Who’ll be the leader of the IT market? Who’ll appear out of nowhere and just kick a$$? What weird waves, trends, social networks? What new ideas await us? The answer never was and never is easy! 
BUT!
Lovely Mary Jo Foley from Tech Republic takes a few steps forward and plays the fortune teller. So, here are her predictions of Microsoft’s activity for 2008:
1. FIJI, the new version of Windows Media Center
Fiji, which probably now has a boring codename like Windows 6.5, will reemerge from information lock-down in early 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Microsoft field a private test build of Fiji as soon as January.
2. Apple to admit its licensing of Microsoft’s ActiveSync
Apple is none too happy when it can’t maintain its shroud of secrecy. CEO Steve Jobs might admit Apple inked the licensing agreement with Microsoft at Macworld in January. Or he might wait until later next year to acknowledge the deal.
3. A lot of house cleaning where games are involved
Ever since Microsoft brought in Electronic Arts executive Don Mattrick to run its Interactive Entertainment Business, there have been a lot of changes on the gaming side of Microsoft. That’s no coincidence: Mattrick is cleaning house, sources say. And one of the next casualties could be Shane Kim, Corporate VP of Microsoft Game Studios. Expect more game-related shake-ups at Microsoft in 2008.
4. Microsoft throws more dev weight behind FaceBook
It seems obvious that Microsoft would want to get onboard. So far, other than fielding a Facebook development toolkit, Microsoft hasn’t talked about its dev strategy for Facebook. But in 2008, watch for the Redmondians to announce more tools to help Facebook combat Google’s (still-vaporish) OpenSocial.
5. Windows Mobile phones get Zuned
Word is Ho is heading up the mysterious “Pink and Purple” project, which is all about bringing Zune features and functionality to Windows Mobile devices. It sounds like Ho also is part of the oft-denied skunkworks project to create a Microsoft ZunePhone. Word is some of the new Windows Mobile music features will see the light of day (in beta or final form) in 2008.
6. Office 14 hits beta
Even though Windows 7 isn’t expected to ship until 2010, word is that Office 14 is still on track to be released to manufacturing in 2009. If Microsoft sticks to schedule, the company could field Beta 1 of the product in 2008.
7. More Microsoft-hosted enterprise services to debut
Microsoft is slowly but surely fielding more Microsoft-hosted enterprise services that it is marketing to large enterprises. In 2007, Microsoft made a push for Microsoft-hosted Office Communications Server, SharePoint and Exchange. In 2008, expect Microsoft to add Forefront security and a business-intelligence bundle to its Office Online price list.
8. OOXML will get the ISO nod
In February, Microsoft’s Open Office XML will be up for ISO standards consideration. Despite the best attempts of Microsoft’s adversaries and critics to derail it, OOXML is finally going to get the ISO nod.
9. No Windows 7
Windows 7 exists. Folks inside Microsoft are running early builds already. Does that mean we can count on seeing test builds of Windows 7 in 2008? I bet not. I’d be very surprised to see any kind of broad tech preview out next year.
10. Former Adobe CEO chief joins Microsoft
Bruce Chizen, Adobe’s CEO who abruptly resigned in 2007, has been mum on his future plans. But sources say Chizen is going to join Microsoft to run the Expression team in the new year.
Will these predictions become true? Or should we NOT hold our breath?
Recent Comments