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The next big step for Microsoft is to bring Xbox One, Windows and Windows Phone closer together than ever, and that next generation of cross-platform unification is reported to be codenamed Threshold.
ZDNet reports that the name Threshold was mentioned in a recent internal email by Microsoft Executive Vice President Terry Myerson.
Threshold covers an update to Microsoft’s big three: Windows, Windows Phone and the Xbox One operating system, tying them together with common elements across commuters, tablets, phones and games consoles.
Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox One share a common Windows NT core, and Microsoft has long been working on creating a common app store to make the overall ecosystem more attractive. Threshold is reported to take those ties a step further, so that you can engage in the same cool stuff across different platforms and devices: stuff that Microsoft calls “high value activities.”
ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley speculates these high value activities include working on Office documents, browsing the Web with Bing, and whatever Microsoft means when it talks about “serious fun.” Given that this is Microsoft’s idea of fun, lord knows what that could mean.
Microsoft is expected to cross the Threshold in spring 2015. In the meantime we’re expecting to see the 8.1 Blue update come to Windows Phone in spring next year.
Threshold is the name of a planet in Microsoft’s own Halo series of games. It’s not the first time Microsoft has jokily borrowed a name from Halo, recently codenaming a Siri-rivalling voice command system Cortana after the voice that guides you through the game.
What should Microsoft do next? Will tight integration between Xbox One, Windows and Windows Phone allow Microsoft to conquer gaming, computing and mobile devices? Tell me your thoughts and opinions in the comments, or cross the threshold to our Facebook page.
