In the cyber world, where consumers are undeniably inclined towards touch-driven PCs and mobile devices, Microsoft has already understood the trend and has launched a touch-friendly OS in 2012. During the launch of Windows 8 operating system (OS), the company was quite sure that it will be adopted by a large segment of personal as well as gaming users. The tiled interface, close integration with cloud storage, excellent apps management, and touch-screen gestures had created significant leverage in the market about its arrival. But the present situation is quite different from what was expected by the company and its tech experts before the launch.
What all is this touch-enabled OS carrying your way?
Windows 8, a part of Windows NT family of operating systems, was launched as a personal computer OS developed by Microsoft. It is stated that the company has realized the need of a touch-enabled OS and has started the development of Windows 8 before the release of its predecessor. Announced at the CES 2011, the system software was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012 and was made available for edition based purchase on October 26, 2012.
Specifically designed for mobile devices and tablets, the operating system's platform and user interface (UI) induced the tech geeks to try this system software at once. Apart from being a close competitor to Android and iOS, this OS has created its separate identity because of its ‘Metro’ design language and the amazing Start screen, which presents updated content on a grid of tiles. The OS laid great emphasis on the touch-screen input and its integration with online services, and Windows Store.
The added support for USB 3.0, near field communications (NFC), and cloud computing took this software to another level by sidelining it from the common ones. Additional security features including built-in antivirus, and its integration with Microsoft SmartScreen Phishing filtering service safeguards a user while visiting infectious websites and applications. Its support for UEFI Secure Boot feature paired with UEFI firmware helps to prevent malware execution during the system boot process.
Why it was criticized?
Win 8 was neither fully rejected by the users nor it was highly appreciated by them. The reason behind this was the inability of users to learn or get accustomed to the new user interface (UI), which was quite confusing when used on a touch-screen device and keyboard/mouse separately. However, the OS gained immensely positive response for performance improvements, security enhancements, and improved support for touch-screen devices. User’s reaction towards several features was positive, but the system software was not highly appreciated for being highly confusing and difficult to learn.
Statistics and current market position
Despite all those critics’ reviews and shortcomings, over 60 million Windows 8 licenses have been sold through till January 2013. The value includes both upgrades and sales to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for new PCs during the year 2012-2013. According to the reports published on NETMARKETSHARE, a unit of Net Applications - a web analytics firm, Windows 8 is currently holding 6.41% of the total OS market share. The proportion of the OS’s share is quite higher when compared with that of Mac OSX, Linux, and Windows Vista.
For users who have yet to experience Windows 8, the OS is best described as equipped with a touch user interface, but unfortunately that only works fine with touch-screen devices. Claimed to be functional on both desktops and touch enabled devices, the operating system has different features in both the modes that might confuse a user, having hands on both of the devices.
How different Windows 8 is from its predecessors?
The Start menu and the familiar desktop looks were replaced by a Start screen, which consists of a grid of tiles displaying the latest updates of the app. These touchable/clickable tiles allow a user to directly access that particular program right from the Start screen, just by tapping on it. The operating system will not appear challenging to those who have already encountered a Smartphone or tablet, as its interface and touch-capabilities are quite similar to them
The prior versions of system software from Microsoft were designed for a traditional PC and its comprising tower, however, Win 8 changed the picture by favoring more intuitive touch-screen interfaces. Claimed to be compatible with both touch-screen devices and ordinary PCs, the OS wasn’t welcomed in the way the company had planned and anticipated. Often coined as one of the most confusing software developed by Microsoft, even today this OS doesn’t hold a strong market position.
After receiving large number of grievances from the users about the missing Start button, confusing tiled interface, and performance related issues, the company decided to release a fix for the same. Launched in October 2013, Windows 8.1 is an update offered to existing Windows 8 OS and is considered as an evolution in the OS market. Offering excellent SkyDrive integration, the upgrade carries more ways that can help you to personalize your PC. The freely downloadable update makes your working machine more advanced, performance oriented, and equipped with a modern outlook. Presently, most of the users have installed this update on their devices and are experiencing better performance and productivity, which was previously missing with Windows 8.
As a conclusion of the above discussion, it can be simply made out that the OS that was launched last year can’t be applauded as a user friendly application at least for desktop or non-touch users, but after the update and launch of Windows 8.1 things have certainly improved. The opinion of users is now swinging towards the Windows OS and market is giving signals of recovery in the Windows market share.
Microsoft has always been ranked amongst one of the leading companies engaged in developing tech-advanced operating systems (OS), software, apps and other related programs. Established in 1975, the company has tremendously enhanced the graph of developing, manufacturing, licensing, supporting and selling consumer electronics, computer software, PCs, and services. Accredited as the world's largest software maker measured by revenues, the company holds the tag of being a proud developer of various prominent software suites including Microsoft Windows OS, Microsoft Office, and Internet Explorer (IE). The growth chart of the company has always been progressive and tried to set up new benchmarks for others in the industry. But, the introduction of Windows 8 has changed the entire picture altogether
The company introduced Windows 8 OS in 2012 bearing huge expectations, which impressed many users because for its amazing touch-screen and motion gestures features. But unfortunately, the missing Start button, confusing multiple user interface (UI), poor integration with primary apps, and unexpected changes in the traditional Start menu has discouraged many users to try this OS on their work devices, personal systems, and business machines. The acrimonious response from consumers about this OS led Microsoft to release an essential update that carried all the necessary changes in the working and appearance of this system software. The update (Windows 8.1) was released in 2013 and was offered for free to all the users currently running their devices on Win 8.
How this strategy has affected the market?
The company derived many hopes from the update, but users worldwide didn’t find it that promising and appealing on productivity and features fronts. No matter, how many of the existing Windows 8 users switched to this new update, the fact is very few users are actually running their devices on it. Microsoft tried to impress the users with the touch capability and swipe gestures that will not only enhance the productivity level, but will also give a new direction to personal computing.
The change has been adopted by users who love touch experience, but hard-core professionals and work geeks prefer to stick back with Windows 7, which is more advanced on performance improvements and whilst maintaining compatibility. Windows XP has also created a niche for itself among businesses, professionals, home users, and enterprises, but the official retirement on April 08, 2014 discouraged the world-wide users to use this trend-changing OS for many years to come.
What do overall reports indicate?
The reports clearly portrayed that very few computers have Windows 8 installed on it and the number of PCs having Windows XP are twice the number of computers having Windows 8. The data was collected before the Window XP support is discontinued when Microsoft declared that no more software patches will be offered for this product. Hence, there is a possibility that these users might switch to either Windows 8 or to any other OS offered by the company.
According to Net Applications, a company engaged in researching about the desktop operating system market share, the number of users using Windows 7 has been increasing at a faster rate than those using Windows 8. Recent market trends also showcased that more users are switching towards Windows 7 than to its successor.
What does the actual data and market share portray?
The final data in these reports revealed that only 7.9% of all computers are having Windows 8 installed while the percentage goes down to 4.5%, when it comes to devices running on Windows 8.1. Just before the actual retirement of Windows XP, the devices running on this OS bagged a share of around 18.6%, which is the second highest share after Windows 7 that stood on around 54%. The strange news about the newly introduced Microsoft’s OS is that even Apple’s OSX (being costlier that basic computing models) has more users than Windows 8, which is a drawback for the Microsoft operating system.
As Windows XP has already retired officially, Windows 7 experienced a jump of up to 1.5 percentage points while Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 collectively gained 0.62 percentage points only. The Windows XP has been one of the preferred choices of users because of the amazing user interface and excellent features that gave new direction to high-end productivity and 3D gaming. Generally, people don’t change their operating systems, but since Windows XP is discontinuing its support, they are forced to switch over. According to the numbers and the recent market researches, it can be easily guessed that most of the users are opting to use Windows 7 as their new OS platform.
How the company is planning to comeback with its latest OS?
Microsoft is well aware of the recent developments and emerging market trends and they are trying to incorporate as many technologies as they can to build a sound reputation of Windows 8 amongst the users. The company has also decided to bring back the Start Menu into their next Windows update release and also promises to incorporate some of the amazing features that will interest the user to try this OS at least once. Removing the Start Menu from Windows 7 and Windows 8 was one of the most controversial changes, but the new hybrid Start Menu in Windows 8.1 has somewhat handled the market position.
Microsoft has always tried to build up the new technology that can make the entire working experience more exciting and productive, but sudden changes drove the company into a downward position. Moreover, there are probably many other reasons to why Windows 8 has been unpopular, but the company seems to have so many hints that are already directed towards improvement of the OS.
All that Microsoft fans can do, is to hope that the next update of the Windows will be carrying some amazing technological advancements that will bring enough popularity to switch to it with their own will. For now, allowing the Windows 8 apps to be used as normal desktop applications should be the initial step to improve Windows 8 for wider acceptance and popularity.
