Microsoft’s Ballmer touts connected devices and the cloud

CONNECTED DEVICES and cloud services are at the heart of Microsoft's strategy, according to the software flogger's CEO Steve Ballmer.

According to The INQUIRER's sister IT news web site V3.co.uk, Ballmer also insisted that Windows is still a key part of Microsoft's vision when he made an appearance during the second day of the firm's Build developer conference.

Ballmer said that Windows 8 along with Windows Server 8 and Windows Azure cloud services would deliver new capabilities that developers can capitalise on.

"If Windows 8 is Windows re-imagined, then it is a first step in the process of re-imagining Microsoft," he said.

However, he admitted that that there is a "long way still to go" with Windows 8, and emphasised the importance of the platform's support for the ARM architecture.

"Both x86 and ARM are important, so it's not going to be a case of Intel or ARM, but both Intel and ARM on various form factors," he said.

Ballmer also said that it is still early days in the industry-wide shift towards cloud services, but added that the cloud is now a central part of Microsoft's strategy.

Ballmer said that Microsoft's strategy is still centred on Windows, and he poured cold water on any speculation that Windows was running out of steam.

"This year there will be 350 million plus Windows devices sold. No platform other than Windows ships on that many devices," he claimed, adding that compatibility is major strength for Microsoft.

"Windows 8 can still run apps that go back over decades," he said. µ