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Will PC Users Be Willing to Pay as They Go?
Microsoft is launching, on the eve of its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) a new program designed to attract new users in emerging markets. Microsoft's pay-as-you-go program, known as FlexGo, will allow users to pay for their computing time using prepaid cards, similar to cell-phone "Top Up" cards, and/or subscription services that are akin to cable rental arrangements. But will users in developing nations prefer to obtain more costly, but full-fledged PCs over time, as opposed to shelling out less for a less-capable laptop? Cut-rate PC/hardware Windows XP Starter Edition bundles aren't Microsoft's only solution for bringing computing to the masses. Microsoft unveiled a new financing program designed to make PCs more affordable to emerging-market customers on May 22, the day before the kick-off of its annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Seattle. The new pay-as-you-go program and associated metering technology that enables it are known collectively as "FlexGo." In partnership with a handful of hardware, telecommunications, retail and financial services partners, Microsoft is launching this week full-fledged FlexGo trials in Brazil, and will add trials in India, China, Russia and Mexico within the month, Microsoft officials said. (more)