Back in January I wrote post analysing how far Microsoft has taken its 3 screens and the cloud strategy and gave “values” to how far Microsoft had gone in 4 different categories. Since the MWC announcement of 7 Series there has been quite a bit of news about what Microsoft has planned over the next year so I thought I should update the scores to incorporate what will be the values later this year.

Windows

2.5 Screens and the Cloud – Total Score 3.5 (previous 3.5)

• PC Screen – Windows 7 + Windows Live – 1
• Mobile Screen – Windows Mobile + Limited Windows Live – 1 (just)
• TV Screen – By using a PC connected to a TV, definitely not mainstream. Perhaps if Windows Live does come to the TV it can increase the score – 0.5
• The Cloud – Windows Azure – 1

Office

2 Screens and the Cloud – Total Score 3 (previous 3)

• PC Screen – Office 2007 (2010) – 1
• Mobile Screen – Office for mobile – 1
• TV Screen – Nothing – 0
• The Cloud – Soon Microsoft will release the Office Web Apps – 1

Zune

2.5 Screens and the Cloud – Total Score 3.5 (previous 3)

• PC Screen – Zune PC Software – 1
• Mobile Screen – 7 Series will feature all Zune functionality – 1
• TV Screen – Access to movies through Zune for the Xbox, would be better if Music was added to the service too – 0.5
• The Cloud – With a Zune Pass users can listen to any music online – 1

Xbox & Xbox Live

1.5 Screens and part of the cloud – Total Score 3.5 (previous 2)

• PC Screen – Games for Windows Live, will connect fully with Xbox Live and 7 Series– 1
• Mobile Screen – 7 Series will connect fully with Xbox Live ad Games for Windows Live – 1
• TV Screen – Xbox 360 and Xbox Live – 1
• The Cloud – Multiplayer and social network integration is good but no way to play games within a browser – 0.5

Now out of a possible 16 points Microsoft have 13.5 when back in January I made it to be only 10.5, that’s a rather substantial increase. Office now appears to be the weakest product and service from Microsoft at achieving its strategy.

When thinking about writing this post it dawned on my just how important the 7 Series OS is in fulfilling the 3 Screens and Cloud strategy as it integrates so many of Microsoft’s current services and products into a single system. I think it best if you look at the image below to see where 7 Series seems to be able to patch the gaps missing from the current integration between services and software across all Microsoft’s main consumer offerings; its quite impressive.