Microsoft late yesterday confirmed that the final version of Windows 7 Starter Edition will not be limited to opening three applications at a time. This follows claims by observer and author Paul Thurrott, that the limit would be removed, though it doesn't appear to include allow changing wallpapers. The change is intended to improve the flexibility of netbooks, the company says.
Critics believe maintaining the three-app limit would have opened the door to stronger competition from Android and other Linux-based operating systems running on netbooks, as they remain free or low-cost but wouldn't have the same artificial restrictions. Mobile Internet devices and tablet-like devices such as the iPod touch have also put pressure on Microsoft to keep costs low.
A continued economic recession and questions over the final pricing of Starter Edition are regarded as Microsoft's few remaining concerns; the latter is unofficially expected sometime next month.
Source: electronista
