Microsoft is starting to rake in tens of millions from their free Windows 10 strategy, while at the same time scooping up millions of gigabytes of new information on their customers.
As we previously forecast Windows 10 users are now having to pay for add in services that came free with prior versions of a Windows OS, the latest revenue raiser being the $20 you have to pay if you want to play DVD’s via an already built in player.
The sting comes when users realise that the newly-released operating system doesn’t let its users play DVDs out of the box.
Instead, Microsoft recommends that they buy its official DVD player from the Windows app store, for $20.
But many have warned that the app isn’t much good and that users should take advantage of the many free options that are at their disposal.
VLC media player is the usual choice – as well as being free and offering the same DVD capabilities, it also offers many more playback options and will play almost every kind of video.
Microsoft got rid of native DVD playback in Windows 8 when they realised that they had to pay a third party license fee to the patent holders of the technology. This was despite Windows 8 costing over $100 to buy.
In Windows 8, users could use the free Windows Media Player to watch films – but even that has been removed from Windows 10.
It isn’t the only feature that Windows has unexpectedly announced will be going paid-for. Windows 10 also brings a subscription version of the popular Solitaire game, charging people to get rid of ads.
A quick read of the Microsoft Privacy statement, reveals that Microsoft is now collecting data when you “create a Microsoft account, submit a search query to Bing, speak a voice command to Cortana, or upload a document to OneDrive, or contact Microsoft for support.
Microsoft claim that they are using the data to improve its software and services and to serve you relevant ads and promotions.
They also claims that they do “not use what you say in email, chat, video calls or voice mail, or your documents, photos or other personal files to target ads to you.”
But it does share your personal data “to complete any transaction or provide any service you have requested.”
And, as with every other online service, to comply with law enforcement and “to protect lives; to maintain the security of our services; and to protect the rights or property of Microsoft.”
