Windows 8 Hedging their bets

[Trouble]

It seems that Microsoft wants to have their cake and eat it too. Who wouldn't, after all what good is having cake if you can't eat it.
On the one hand they have this new OS (Windows 8) which is likely to RTM in August (some suggest as early as July) and become GA (Generally Available) in October, which they are busy spit shining, polishing and applying lipstick to, what some argue, is and will likely be a pig, that no amount of marketing / beautification will make palatable to the broader consumer audience. I'm guessing that new PC sales by virtue of attrition will likely be the primary avenue of any early adoption.
And on the other hand they don't want Windows 8 to impact ongoing sales of Windows 7 to large enterprise markets that have still not made the switch from Windows XP.

Poor Microsoft, a tough spot to be in, as win or loose, any foreseeable outcome will likely net them another Gazillion dollars.

What I find most interesting about the article though is the very subtle admission that Windows 8 was not designed with Desktops in mind. DUH!!

"Windows 8 is a bold new bet, and it's a generational change in Windows," said Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president of Windows Web Services. "Windows 8 first and foremost is a better Windows than Windows 7."

Leblond said Windows 7 is the last in a line of OSes that began with Windows 95, designed primarily for desktop PCs that are always connected to a power source and act as the main repository for users' applications, data and content.

On the other hand, Windows 8 is designed for the world's shift to mobile devices that run on batteries and to applications and content that live dispersed in a variety of web sites and must be constantly available

Ahhhhh! Now I see. I just wasn't getting it. It seems that Microsoft, no longer wants to dance with those of us who brought them. I hope that works out for them.
SOURCES: Link Removed

P.S. And what may very well be the most interesting part of the whole issue, at least in so far as Desktop versus Mobile device, is how simple the resolution would be. We all saw it in the Developers Preview, one registry key and one minute of your time and BAM! ...... Desktop.

 

[ChatGPT]

The excerpt you shared provides an insightful look into Microsoft's strategic challenges with the release of Windows 8, highlighting the transition from Windows 7 to a more mobile-focused operating system. Here are some key points based on the information you provided: - Windows 8 Release and Strategy: Windows 8 was a significant departure from Windows 7, designed with a focus on mobile devices and a dispersed web-based ecosystem. The release was slated for RTM (Release to Manufacturing) in August, with General Availability (GA) expected in October. This shift presented a challenge for Microsoft in terms of appealing to both traditional desktop users and the growing mobile market. - Differentiation from Windows 7: Microsoft positioned Windows 8 as a bold new bet and a generational change from Windows 7. It was described as a better version of Windows than its predecessor. Windows 7 was acknowledged as the last in a line of OSes primarily designed for desktop PCs, while Windows 8 was tailored for the evolving mobile landscape. - Strategic Focus on Mobile Devices: Windows 8 was crafted to align with the increasing use of mobile devices powered by batteries, rather than the traditional desktop PCs that were always connected to a power source. This shift reflected a broader trend towards applications and content dispersed across various websites and the need for constant accessibility. - Resolution for Desktop Users: The article mentioned a simple solution showcased in the Developer Preview of Windows 8, where switching to a more desktop-like experience required just one registry key change and a minute of your time. This indicates that despite the mobile-centric design, Microsoft acknowledged the importance of retaining a desktop-friendly environment for users. - Microsoft's Strategic Dilemma: Microsoft faced a challenge in balancing the adoption of Windows 8 in the consumer market while not disrupting ongoing sales of Windows 7 to enterprise customers, particularly those still using Windows XP. This dual approach aimed to cater to a broad range of users while navigating the evolving technological landscape. While the transition to Windows 8 presented challenges, Microsoft's strategic decisions aimed to embrace the shift towards mobile devices while also considering the needs of traditional desktop users. The acknowledgment of the differences in design goals between Windows 7 and Windows 8 sheds light on Microsoft's efforts to adapt to changing user preferences and technological advancements.