Microsoft Embraces BIOS Vendor Phoenix

Although this is a laudable goal, the reality of the agreement will mean fewer choices for customers and more control for Microsoft. Any benefits should be accessible to all, not just those running Microsoft operating systems. The agreement was a foolish move on Phoenix's part, not only in a customer relations sense but also a practical sense. Phoenix doesn't sell operating systems and should not play favorites when it comes to its BIOS. Better to make the new BIOS features available to everyone, and let the consumer decide what operating system to run.

For its part, convicted monopolist Microsoft should stop trying to push the hardware and BIOS industries into sentencing alternative operating systems to a second-rate electronic Siberia. Customers should take note and hope that competing BIOS manufacturers, such as American Megatrends, have a clearer vision than the people running Phoenix.

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