Microsoft Windows 8.1 preview video you don't care about.
This Microsoft Windows 8.1 preview video shows you everything you could care a less about as a Windows 8 user and nothing you want to see (like the start button functionality). This is not the Windows 8 start button preview we all wanted.
As office 365 integrators, we have to deal with this new operating system frequently.
Let me start by saying that Jensen Harris and his team created a new and interesting interface. I think tiling is being used in design across web and mobile platforms everywhere right now. Simplifying design with text over iconography or buttons works well in some instances. I not only like some of the design in Windows 8, I full on love it! (Metro baby!)
Microsoft re-designed a platform that no one asked them to re-designed. They messed up big time! I think we all understand why (to bring Windows into a "mobile" world) - the word mobile isn't meant as a device, but more the on-the-go meaning.
As a Windows XP, and Windows 7 fan boy, I watched this video stricly to find out how Win8 would re-introduced the start button. I was disappointed upon conclusion, and it only frustrated me into writing this blog posting. A post long in the making.
Begin...
Microsoft is on an every other operating system is good - path. Windows ME, Windows Vista, and now Windows 8 all were abysmal failures. But Windows 8 is a unique failure. In a retail vertical that has seen pc sales sliding gradually for years now, Windows 8 has escalated this decline like an older brother pushing a younger brother faster down a snowy, slippery slope.
This is occurring in a time where no one asked for the type of changes we were given. Microsoft should of focused on keeping what was good in Windows 7, but instead their primary focus was on reinventing Windows all together.
The same world Microsoft created, is the world they are now pushing into extinction with Windows 8.
Asking why I'm so gloomy? A little harsh am I?
Consider a few more arguments:
Google Chrome book - Microsoft created a one size fits all OS that doesn't fit anyone on a desktop. It's the same reason Chromebooks aren't flying off the shelf. Laptop, desktop, and even some tablet users (pre-apple) were used to how they interact with client/server software in a pre-Windows 8 environment. They understand it is vastly different than the new world they live in for phones and tablets. Baby steps are necessary to move their desktop experience into this "new norm"
Windows 7 introduced <start> and Type - And Windows 8 killed it. One of the best features in Windows 7 can no longer be used... now you have to swipe, or move your mouse to the top corner. the point? This is a random win7 feature I love to illustrate Windows 8 killing so many great win7 features.
Window 8 power down... tell me again why restarting your computer is behind a settings button?
There is a convergence of user models out there. What you can get on your phone, can now be on your tablet and your PC. The problem for Microsoft is they make horrible Phone software (thus no phone userbase), their tablets (the one place Windows 8 excels) are only affordable to Bill Gates himself, and they just pissed off their bread and butter - the Windows users...
The bottom line? Microsoft is LOST!
For every one step in the right direction, there are 3 in the wrong!
While Harris made a beautiful environment, and tried to unite user models onto one platform, he's probably the first to blaim. Microsoft needs to understand that they're not holding all the cards anymore, They can't make people love them like they could 10 years ago.
People are beginning to have options... and right now Microsoft isn't one of them.