I have a hunch. I think this is the start of something more from Microsoft.
The company has been much to quiet in a time when they are in an ideal position to unleash a lot more than they have shown. Here’s why.
The number of start-ups the last three years has been swelling. With money getting tighter, the giants are in a position to start going after market share. Using web based services is one way Microsoft can do that.
Sun and Yahoo, the only other companies that would be in a position to challenge Google other than MSFT are both wandering around with the blind staggers.
Microsoft is well financed, carrying a lot of cash and an incredible number of engineers all over the globe. As they expand in an imperialist like manner, their web based services and their applications are currency. By offering a limited life sampling program (say three years or so) they can infuse themselves into startups and rock into the Clouded eco-system, something they play better at than anyone as eco-system competency is their stock and trade.
By offering early stage companies three years of fee less services Microsoft takes direct aim at the biggest player in the game..Google.
What’s more they have more on deck than anyone, that is already to go.