Counter Insurgent: Microsoft is taking a gamble with Windows 10
This month, our anonymous PC retailer offers their views on the imminent launch of Microsoft’s next operating system Windows 10, and its aim to launch it on one billion devices by 2018…
Microsoft is taking a gamble with Windows 10 by creating a universal platform that will run apps on any device, all powered by Microsoft apps/cloud/subscription services. Is it on the right track or just a step in the direction of Zune?
Microsoft’s ambition to reach one billion devices by 2018, is in my opinion, a tough one. It needs to understand politics – never upset your core supporters and users, especially when you cut them out of the channel. Microsoft needs to engage with their customers and offer better support.
From what I have seen, Windows 10 is a more refined Windows 8, however, like 8, it will still be a huge revelation to customers who might not need or want to move on with the Microsoft philosophy. Giving them a free upgrade is not the type of carrot they will bite on. Remember, Microsoft has the majority of the desktop OS market (91.22 per cent according to Net Applications) and has already had two strikes in less than 10 years. Microsoft’s agenda can only be of the sudden realisation that there is more money to be made from recurring revenues. Microsoft wants to make a bigger dent in the app marketplace compared to Apple and Google, hence its plan to give 10 away for free. However isn’t this a bit of a chicken and egg situation?
Having a desktop business in a mobile world is having a great effect on them, but mobile hasn’t truly taken over. Both need each other. And this utopia that Microsoft is trying to make is sadly for them nothing new – it has already been demonstrated by Canonical (UK) in 2012 and Android desktop. But, what is apparent is that we are all seeking a seamless experience that is available wherever we are. This is not just Microsoft heading down this business model, but most if not all are heading down this path, and sadly for us indies we are either being left out of the equation or we are having to evolve without any support.
The $1 million question is how easy and user-friendly will Microsoft make this process (for all)? And why is it that silver surfers who used XP can quickly grasp 7, but some users of 7 found it hard to tame 8? Let’s just hope that Windows 10 is not a futuristic disaster.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...dows-10/036421
