Windows 8.1 won't save Windows 8

[douglas9]

Column: It's still a pig with lipstick

SOFTWARE HOUSE Microsoft's Windows 8 PC operating system tanked this past year, dragging down global PC hardware sales, and the firm's Windows 8.1 fixpack isn't likely going to recover from that market failure this year.

Initially dismissive of Apple's iPad but then panicked by its undeniable market success, Microsoft was in denial and dithered for years before finally reacting with all the agility and speed of a wounded mastodon. However, it was blind to the media consumer paradigm shift represented by the iPad and tried to force tablet punters to buy into its Windows cash cow.

In making that design choice, Microsoft not only ignored the market segmentation created by the iPad and competing touchscreen tablets, it failed to recognise that tablets are aimed at and bought by people who primarily use them to consume internet content and media, rather than create documents, spreadsheets and presentations, which was Windows' strength and made it easy for many ordinary people to use.

Thus, Microsoft developed and released a regurgitation of Windows 7 in Windows 8 that was both insulting to longtime Windows users, because it broke the operating systems's most basic user interface metaphors and means of interaction, and unattractive to tablet users due to its awkwardness, as shown by the $900m hit the firm took on its Surface RT tablet. Tweaking Windows 8 here and there with Windows 8.1 won't fix those basic blunders.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/opinion/2300095/windows-81-wont-save-windows-8

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Who cares? I have 4 windows boxes with xp through 8 and...

a Nook reader and an android phone. Thanks to Evernote, Dropbox, and Opera Unite it's all under control. Sorta.

The Nook like any other tablet, is excellent for carrying around, reading today's Times and this week's New Yorker along with a hundred or so books. It's also much easier for email, twitter, and other modern annoyances than lugging around a laptop. But usually not as convenient as a phone.

The desktops, two of which run Win8, are vastly better for extended typing or data entry then the other stuff. I have things set up to where I see almost no difference between 8 and 7, except 8 is noticeably faster. The laptop is Win7 and doesn't get that much use any more.

I hate my Android phone with the fire of a thousand blazing suns. Nothing is documented, no help files for the myriad apps and bullshit it runs whether I want them or not, and it resets settings at its demented will. I had a Blackberry that worked well, it just didn't do a few things I needed, had too small a screen, and the new one wasn't available for my service. Ugh. The Android does usually work for the essentials, though, and the price was right. If I could get a Windows phone that integrated well with my other computers, I would be happy and not mind the tiles. The Nook will still be an outlier, but it's quite useful, nonetheless.

It's not Win8 that's the problem, it's just that most people want something to do a quick search, tweet, or check out Facebook, and tablets are great for that. Microsoft's belated dream of integrating phones, tablets, laptops and desktops (and soon to come-- watches) under one system is a great idea (ask Apple, and now Google) it's just that everything else got there first.

[PrestonLocke]

2. Win8/MetroUI remind me of WinME

[TygrBright]

3. MS could own the desktop market with a good product. Instead...

...they choose to try and compete on territory already staked out and won by Apple and the pad/mobile device makers.

It's sad, but not surprising.

I'm just hoping that one of these days they'll wake up and get back to business making a workable product to run desktop PCs and full-scale laptops, and meld them effectively with various mobile devices.

patiently,
Bright

[hobbit709]

4. The only thing that will save Windows 8/8.1 will be Windows 9

Just like Vista was saved by 7 or ME by 2000/XP