Microsoft: Cloud to ‘revolutionise’ computing

Speaking to a group of students at the London School of Economics, Steve Ballmer was keen to talk up the future of cloud computing and how it would change the way individuals and businesses operate in the future.

“Cloud will open up a whole new range of opportunities to use computing in more valuable ways.

“A whole new set of opportunities for people to go out and build companies and make money off the back of their creativity around information technology.

“The cloud will certainly do that. The cloud will also bring with it a new set of responsibilities- in terms of security, privacy and data availability.”

He described the benefits of the cloud, which sees users share resources and software from a pool on-line. It acts as an on-demand service, rather than numerous programs installed on a single computer.

Emails and social networking sites already tap into this cloud network, but Mr Ballmer argued that smarter devices are needed to take full advantage of the cloud.

“We’ve only scratched the surface.

“The whole knowledge of the world should really be available to you in a way you can access and take advantage of. We need to build software that understands you and what you want… and brings knowledge to what is out there on the internet.

He also confirmed Microsoft would have tablet style computers on the market by the end of the year to rival Apple’s iPad.

“We as a company will need to cover all form factors and certainly we have done work around the tablet as a productivity device and a consumption device.

“You’ll see slates with Windows on them this Christmas, you’ll see them continue to change and evolve.”

Ballmer also argued that the modern business world needs an overhaul of copywright and patent laws.

“Is the patent system perfect? No, its not. We think patent law ought to be reformed to reflect modern times.

“The pharmaceutical industry and the IT and software industries didnt exist when patent law was written – reform could help them do more than they can now.”