While Red Hat is often lauded for its ability to support open source software and retain loyal subscribers to its support contracts, the company has also established itself as a strong leader and open source community booster. In 2014, Red Hat’s focus is going to shift much more in the direction of cloud computing, as it pursues numerous OpenStack-focused initiatives. The Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform is positioned to serve as the foundation for OpenStack-powered cloud deployments. And, Red Hat announced its Red Hat Certificate of Expertise in Infrastructure-as-a-Service and expanded training in support of its OpenStack technology.
Noted open source writer and leader Matt Asay notes that OpenStack needs Red Hat, because while the open cloud platform has much going for it, it doesn’t have the leadership it needs. Red Hat could provide that leadership.
Just as 2013 was beginning, I wrote a post called “Should Microsoft Embrace Both Android and Firefox OS?” The gist of the post was that Microsoft’s entries into a couple of important product categories–including smartphones and tablets–have included many missteps and its best advice may be to embrace open source mobile technology, especially Android.
Fast-forward to now, as the last days of 2013 are upon us, and there are reports emerging about a new class of hardware products that will arrive at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) called PC Plus devices. Purportedly, these are going to run both Windows 8 and Android. Better late than never, Microsoft.
