As soon as you switch on the Windows based PC, you will find an interface with a Start bar at the bottom of the screen. Microsoft had taken deviation in this respect by introducing a tiled application interface with Windows 8.
As a matter of fact, tiled interface is the popular and common interface used in mobile phones. Windows 8 comes with some other new features.
Let us check how Microsoft can substantiate its PC market and how it can capture noticeable market in the mobile arena after the launch of Windows 8.
Microsoft’s success in the past
Microsoft had great success in capturing the enterprise market. It has strong presence in servers, desktops and laptops. It fares well in the tablet market as well.
However, its presence is marginalized in the Smartphone market. The Smartphone market is shared by android and iOS (Apple) operating systems.
It is true that we use various kinds of gadgets in our daily life. These are powered by various kinds of processors, memory modules and operating systems.
Coming to the deployment of operating system, Microsoft is trying its level best to pose as the single operating system that can be installed on all kinds of gadgets. Even though it was not successful with this idea in Smartphone and tablet arena, the new operating system (Windows 8) has been worked out to achieve this feat.
Microsoft would like to offer a single surface that will let you read books, play video games, listen to music and make video calls.
Benefits of single OS
There are advantages and disadvantages of usage of a single operating system across various kinds of gadgets. It is easy to integrate on the hardware front. It is easy to develop applications that support OS rather than the gadgets.
As small gadgets like Smartphones and tablets are being equipped with powerful processors, it will not be difficult to develop new applications that can be made workable across the gadgets. It is easy to update the OS at regular intervals.
It will be easy to network gadgets loaded with same OS than with gadgets loaded with various operating systems. Apple has achieved great success in this aspect as it can update the data (cloud resource) across all your iOS based gadgets.
The downside is if all the gadgets work on the same OS, security vulnerabilities will increase. Customers will not be able to take advantage of the new happenings and facilities offered by other operating systems.
How can Microsoft achieve success in future?
It is true that Microsoft tries to achieve success by attracting new customers through Windows 8. In this context, it has introduced a number of measures in Windows 8.
The change in the visual interface and way of access to applications will certainly give a new look to the users. It will be difficult for legacy users to adjust to the new changes.
Microsoft can fare better by creating demand for its products. Microsoft is ambitious to offer Windows as a single OS for various kinds of gadgets.
However, it fails to prove its capabilities as Apple has proven over the years. If a customer wants to prefer gadgets based on a single OS, he or she will certainly prefer the Apple’s iOS than opting for Microsoft’s Windows.
There are many reasons for this substantiation. Apple has proven its capability in innovation, user friendliness and lots of choice (over application development and deployment).
Apple has created an ecosystem that attracts both developers and customers to embrace. Microsoft fails in this aspect. Microsoft would like to keep everything in its hands and makes customers to depend on it forever.
The practices adopted by Microsoft are against the open principles. Linux and Android comes with greater flexibility and openness to succeed on the desktop and Smartphone segment respectively.
Microsoft should realize the fact that the interface deployed should be relevant to the form factor. Mobile phones do not need start bar and desktops do not require tiled surface.
Instead of rubbing the same OS across various gadgets, the OS should be customized for the gadget. Microsoft should take measures to compromise with its monopolistic measures both on hardware and software front. By giving greater precedence to open standards, Microsoft can achieve success in the long run.
Great Info Jane. Yes they have to think more on the friendly and useful way to implement their OS. As Android and Apple doing to make it more awesome. Btw i love the new Windows 8 on my PC is super fast from the rest of the windows operating system. Love using it 🙂
Hi Jane, Very interesting article. I believe that Microsoft has made its PC operating system more like its mobile operating system than vice-versa. I find this fascinating because Microsoft has the dominant market share in computer operating system but trails behind in the mobile market.
I really like the Windows 8 operating system, both in mobile and on computers. But will merging the two mean that Microsoft brings its mobile market share up or its computer market share down?
First things first, user would no longer use Windows 8 if Microsoft continues to annoy user with few bogus implements such as removed Start button. Perhaps, many of them like and appreciate this change but few of them have seek replacements for the removed start button.
One more thing which annoyed me the most is its direct deleting features, as like in Linux OS. These are more vulnerable to loose users valuable data.
Overall, your article is pretty good and contains lot of valuable information. Thanks for sharing and keep continue Jane.
Nice piece and I am eager to get into Windows 8 after bypassing all the others with a now dead XP machine!
Jane need to let you know I cannot access your share tool bar on the iPad as it is off the left margin.
A phone, a tablet, and a computer should not share the same user interface any more than a skateboard, a bicycle, and a truck should share the same controls. Microsoft is trying to make a one size fits all UI, pushing the hardware in some places, and retarding the accessibility in others.
It shouldn’t be called Windows 8 when it’s really Tiles 1.0
In my opinion, Windows 8 will struggle to convince its existing customers. Recently, the was a stats published where 75% companies responded that they have no intention of moving to Windows 8.
Hi Jane
It is a very good question. I like the idea that Microsoft have built all there new devices (WP8, Surface, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012) on the same core of Windows 8. It will without doubt be a big advantage when it comes to developing software to multiple platforms. It just doesn’t help Microsoft much if people keep on buying phones and tablets with Android or IOS. I guess the last couple of months will tell us if Microsoft will succeed with their new OS.
I’m personally not a fan of the new Windows 8 start screen with all of these tiles. Our computer does run faster, but the Apple start screen is much better. This new Windows 8…I might as well have an Apple because it’s so different than Windows 7 and everything else before, that I don’t really know how to use it!