Here's what Vince has to say:
The latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 8, is almost here. A lot has been made of this release as many see this as Microsoft’s last real chance to gain relevance again in the IT world. No one is doubting that Windows is still the dominant desktop operating system, but with the extreme rapid growth of the mobile device market (smartphones and tablets) and with Microsoft being so far behind in that area, many have started to think that Apple and Google will be the major players in the future, not Microsoft.
With Windows 8, Microsoft has taken the all-in gamble to stake its claim to be one of those major players. Let’s take a look at how Microsoft has chosen to ante up and go big.
The Operating System Itself
Microsoft has come up with not one, not two, but three versions of Windows: Windows 8, Windows 8 RT, and Windows Phone 8. This is meant to allow for a unified user experience across the three major categories of devices:
- Desktops, laptops, ultrabooks, and convertible devices — These devices are meant to run “full blown” Windows (Windows 8) and run standard Windows applications, many of which have been created since Windows XP.
- Light weight and long battery life tablets — These devices are meant to run a “light” version of Windows (Windows 8 RT). Focused more on providing much better portability and long use, this operating system is not designed to run standard Windows applications. Instead, it will run versions of applications that were meant to run on this version of Windows.
- Smartphones — These devices require a much more streamlined operating system (Windows Phone 8), since they are much smaller than tablets and need to focus on providing ease of use on a small screen.
But Wait, There’s More…
Perhaps the other major change that Microsoft is making with the rollout of Windows 8 is that they have decided to get into the hardware business. Traditionally, Microsoft stayed out of this area, leaving the design and creation of desktops, laptops, ultrabooks, and mobile devices to their OEM partners such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and the like. But with Windows 8, Microsoft announced that they will be releasing their own tablet, known as the Surface. The Surface will come with either Windows 8 or Windows 8 RT, giving users the option of having a light weight, long battery life tablet or one that is slightly heavier, but more powerful and able to run full Windows applications.
Microsoft has also announced their intention to come out with their own smartphone down the road. This has caused some of their OEM partners to complain that Microsoft may be killing competition by jumping into this market. But Microsoft believes that this is going to be a critical part of their business in the future. Perhaps it’s not inappropriate to note that in this sense, Microsoft is moving in the same direction as Apple and Google.
Thoughts Before the Official Release
We are hopeful that Microsoft has a successful Windows 8 release. We think that it will spawn some interesting changes in the market, with more and more desktops, laptops, and ultrabooks being designed with touchscreens to allow users to take full advantage of the Windows 8 UI. The Microsoft Surface devices should force OEM partners to innovate in order to compete.
Microsoft’s push for Cloud-based services is also going to drive their mobile strategy. With Office 365, Skydrive, and other services, Microsoft is making access to all of the applications, storage, and other tools that one needs much easier through any type of device. And Windows 8 will play a key role in all of this.
