The title of this post was inspired by Paul Thurrott’s tweet from the Windows Build conference and it pretty much sums up my own impression of what I saw Microsoft present on Tuesday. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from the keynote but what I did see was above and beyond, and without question Microsoft made a big statement – that they are back in the consumer game!
A few months ago I was having a conversation with Mike, a friend of mine, about how I believed that Microsoft had lost their way in the consumer space. My rationale was that Microsoft had given their competition, such as Apple, a massive lead and that I wasn’t sure they could regain the lost ground. Mike made a statement that I thought was interesting but I didn’t read too much into it, he said that Ford had done a similar thing, however always had a plan and today, are back in pole position. I’m not really a car guy so I didn’t want to debate, however me being me was certain he was wrong – and on Tuesday, Microsoft proved his point for him.
Before I go further, I do want to take a side track and make note to a blogger who I respect quite a bit but am afraid this time I have to somewhat disagree – John Gruber. John published a post titled All His Life Has He Looked Away, to the Future, to the Horizon. Never His Mind on Where He Was. What He Was Doing which was pretty critical of Thurrott’s tweet in that he disagreed that comparison could be drawn given the early stage of Windows 8. The post went on to talk about how Windows 8 was not due for another year and that the Samsung hardware provided to attendees of the event was not up to the quality of the iPad – fair point on the latter. Another statement the post made was that Apple do not provide hands on with their products this early and that when they choose to make releases, the goods are pretty much complete.
The first point I would like to highlight here is that Microsoft don’t make hardware, they make software and their product is Windows 8, not the Samsung device. What Microsoft were showing off at the event was Windows 8 and its feature set and the fact that attendees got hardware was a nice extra, but wasn’t the focus of the show. If we compare Windows 8 as it stands today (in the tech preview stage) to iOS, putting hardware aside the operating system is already more modern, more flexible, easier to develop on, less restrictive and more feature rich; and Microsoft still have a year to work on it. Don’t get me wrong, I like Apple and am in fact, writing this post on a MacBook Pro, however when it comes down to comparing apples with apples (excuse the pun), one has to tip their hat to Microsoft at this stage.
Lets also realize that Apple do in-fact release product considerably before completion for example the beta’s of OS X and iOS for example. The first few releases of the Apple operating systems were not stable, lacked features and were not complete just as is the case with Windows 8 now. Its true that Apple may not release their hardware until production ready and that’s fine but remember that Microsoft are not in the hardware business.
Originality
One of the first things people notice (largely because its in your face) on Windows 8 is the Metro UI – this is simply beautiful. There is no doubt that this is original and there are certainly no fan-boys who can claim that Microsoft have copied someone else with this. The Metro UI is way ahead of any other vendor in the mobile space and it is obvious when using it that they have put a lot of time and effort into understanding the user, this has really paid off.
In true Microsoft fashion they are developer and partner friendly and Windows 8 fundamentally demonstrates this. When Microsoft took the secrecy approach to the platform, people were beginning to think that they were going to change, then on Tuesday the Redmond organization destroyed any worry within the community. To create applications for Windows 8 you can use an array of languages and development tools from the involved C++ to everybody’s friend JavaScript; in essence enabling pretty much anyone and everyone with any form of coding ability on the planet to create and publish applications. Microsoft could have certainly taken the approach of locking developers down to Visual Studio and C# but they realize that the world doesn’t evolve around a single vendor and with the rapid adoption of web and cloud, that they need to adopt these popular ways of creating content.
I’m still playing with the tech preview of Windows 8 so am somewhat engrossed at the moment but will most certainly be making a number of posts as I explore the operating system in more detail; for now I wanted to quickly put out my initial impression – superb!
This post was filed in Microsoft, Windows 8
About Jon Wallace:
Jon is a senior executive and technology veteran having worked with some of the largest and most complex technology environments in the world. As director of emerging technologies for a leading multinational software organization Jon focuses on creating disruptive strategy and maintains an in-depth view of the industry at large.
With the experience of working from the field level to the boardroom Jon brings a unique viewpoint catering for many factors and one which is based on real world experience.
Interesting read, Jon. It’s funny, I was a very easy and very heavy iPad user, but the more I use Lion and the more I see and play with Windows 8, the less certain I am that we are truly headed for the “post-PC era.” More and more, I am being drawn back to the power of a full-fledged laptop. As the MacBook Air-style form factor becomes more the norm, I think this will be even more the case.
Certainly, tablets will still play a major role, but I think rather than trying to compete with the iPad, Microsoft would be best served by making Windows 8 the most immersive and personalized experience on a laptop (while incorporating things like touch in gestures as part of that experience.
I think the big question is how much of the iPad success is tablet form factor and how much of its appeal comes from the fact that it is fun to use. Windows XP and Windows 7 aren’t that fun. They feel like work. Windows 8 looks like it might be fun. It looks like it could become an extension of my personality even as I use it to get my job done.
This is an excellent comment and raises some very valid points and questions. I’m 100% with you in the sense of not moving to a post-pc era and would almost say quite the opposite.
I think that people have gotten past the buzz of the iPad and similar devices and realized that they’re actually not all they’re cracked up to be for real world and downstream will resort to more complete solutions that offer both the form factor and computing environment.
Great comment Doug – I could write a post based on this comment alone – tomorrow nights task
Thanks for reading!
JW
Ouadie Boussaid (@OuadieBoussaid) referenced this post...
“Hello Windows 8? This Is iPad, You win!”, Interesting read, http://t.co/5H9oAwZh
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