For anyone, like me, that has bought a Windows PC inside the last year, you may be unsurprised to listen to that Microsoft is making updates to its infuriating Windows 8 OS after criticism from unhappy customers.
The absence of its familiar ‘start’ button, a number of default programs for viewing PDFs and photos that just are not making sense, and apps that sweep out and in of your desktop screen, have all infuriated the Windows faithful.
Microsoft says it has already sold 100m licenses for its latest piece of software, but in view that it has made few gains inside the tablet market, that’s an entire host of pissed-off laptop users grappling with an OS made for touch. That is presumably why Tammy Reller, head of selling and finance for the Windows business, has announced the change of direction, admitting that the software had defeated many users.
“The learning curve is certainly real and we have to address it,” she said. Microsoft Blue, an update to Windows 8 that’s something of a U-turn for the OS’s previous direction, would be rolled out by the top of the year. Reller added: “We’ve considered plenty of different scenarios to assist traditional PC users move forward in addition making usability that far better on all devices.”
In spite of this news, and speaking exclusively to Mobile Marketing, when asked for additional information at the way forward for its tablet and PC businesses, a Microsoft spokesperson was very positive. They pointed to the 100m licences sold, which they said includes new PCs and tablet, and said the product continues to turn promise for the longer term.
“We are encouraged by evolution available in the market if you want to help accelerate adoption in addition. From the outset, we knew that Windows 8 was a reimagining of each aspect of Windows. We made these changes to take the Windows business – and the 1.3 bn people around the globe who rely upon Windows daily for work and play – into the longer term.”
Good reaction to new PCs and tablets
“While we realise that modify takes time, we be ok with the progress since launch, including what we’ve been ready to accomplish with the ecosystem and customer reaction to the brand new PCs and tablets which can be available now or will soon come to market.”
Speaking of the move it sees from tablets and PCs to hybrid models just like the Microsoft Surface, the spokesperson said: “The PC is amazingly much alive and increasingly mobile. The computer can be a part of a much wider device market of tablets and PCs. Windows 8 was built to completely take part in this broader and increasingly mobile device market.” Microsoft said in its recent earnings call that cheaper and smaller 7″ and eight” tablets are at the horizon.
Windows 8 was initially billed because the first truly ‘screen agnostic’ OS. We asked how this concept was figuring out at Microsoft: “In terms of the screen agnostic approach, Windows 8 and Windows Phone both utilise an analogous familiar UI, and with Windows Phone 8, are actually built at the same shared core set of technologies, which means developers would be in a position to leverage much in their work writing applications and games for one to deliver experiences for the alternative.
“Microsoft’s vision for the way forward for Windows Phone is to deliver an unparalleled opportunity through consistency in design and implementation around the products that customers depend on.”
Gates: Windows 8 is revolutionary
Bill Gates, former chief executive and current chairman, likewise, mustn’t ever was at the receiving end of the disappointment that has caused the Windows Blue update. And cannot be working off one of several PCs running the present version.
In an interview with CNBC on Monday, he called Windows 8 a “revolutionary” product that “takes the advantages of a tablet, benefits of a computer and it’s capable of support either one of those”.
Indicating too his support for the company’s hybrid tablet models, as opposed to the PCs which were causing complaint, he said: “It’s going to be harder and harder to differentiate between products, whether they’re tablets or PCs. With Windows 8, Microsoft is attempting to achieve market share in what was dominated by the iPad-type device.
“But quite a few those users are frustrated. They cannot type. They cannot create documents. You do not have Office there,” he added. “So we’re providing them something with the advantages they’ve seen that has made that an important category but without giving up what they expect in a computer.”
Those complaints all sounds rather familiar…
Now investors and previous Microsoft employees have now called for a transformation on the top, namely the pinnacle of CEO Steve Ballmer. Joachim Kempin, who helped to construct the Windows business, told the BBC that the outside tablets are “okay” but said nothing distinguishes them and that they have alienated manufacturing partnerss, a lot of whom have defected to Android.
But, despite the entire criticism, the corporate still makes $80bn per year from its PC business and its revenues have nearly tripled from $25.3bn (£16.6bn) in 2001 to $74.3bn in 2012 under Ballmer’s leadership.
Commenting at the developments, Stephen Upstone, the brand new chair of the MMA and CEO of Loopme, said:
“Microsoft has created a robust UX and portfolios of mobile devices on Windows Mobile 8. The challenge to grow mobile market share is especially connected to mobile distribution via new handsets and their consumer adoption as well as the cross platform promise. Microsoft is making good progress here and from a Mobile Marketing Association standpoint we remain excited on the prospects of the platform and its ability to connect to consumers worldwide.