Windows Azure set for launch in January

US software giant Microsoft yesterday announced that its Internet-based cloud computing service Windows Azure will launch on January 1.

Microsoft chief software architect Ray Ozzie revealed the official launch date for what has been described as "Windows in the Cloud" at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.

Cloud computing lets firms essentially rent text, spreadsheet, calendar or other programs as needed and avoid the cost or buying, installing, updating and maintaining software on workplace machines.

Industry tracker Gartner forecast last week that revenue from cloud computing will top 14 billion dollars annually by the end of 2013.

Ozzie said the first month of Windows Azure will be free.

 

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