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November 19, 2008
Free OneCare: Killer Generosity from Microsoft?
“Microsoft said Wednesday it will discontinue sales of its subscription PC security service and instead offer free software to help protect computers from viruses, spyware and other threats.
“With the move, the software giant appears to be taking aim at McAfee and Symantec, its chief rivals in the PC security market.
“Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) plans to halt sales of its Windows Live OneCare service on June 30. The service being discontinued costs $49.95 a year and covers up to three PCs.
“The new security program, which the company has code-named ‘Morro,’ will be available as a free download in the second half of next year.”
I like the “appears to be taking aim at McAfee and Symantec” bit. Microsoft appeared to be taking aim at McAfee and Symantec three years ago when it started giving away its anti-spyware software and bought Sybari to start working on more comprehensive client-side security software.
McAfee and Symantec started running for cover in 2005 through increased pushes into the enterprise, and they haven’t really looked back, even though OneCare was pretty anemic and got off to a horrible start.
I’d say this is less about “taking aim” at anybody than it is giving its putative rivals the finger on its way out of a market it wasn’t doing so well in.
(Link)
Posted by mhall at 4:41 PM | Add Comment
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