There's very little excitement ahead of Microsoft's launch Thursday of Windows 8 (that's the start screen above, courtesy of Mashable) and their first venture into hardware - The Surface Tablet.
And there was a time when the world would have started queueing by now.
It's the biggest, most crucial, launch in Microsoft's history of both its controversial Surface Tablet and Windows 8, its new software optimised for touchscreen. Skype (owned by Microsoft) wil be deeply embedded into Windows 8 by the way.
Of course it needed to be done in that Microsoft had to update their software away from the old PC's into tablets, smartphones and new devices. Windows still is the preferred Operating System on over 95% of PC's....the problem is, PC's are not the preferred devices any more. Microsoft have a monopoly....but on the wrong thing.
Microsoft revenue fell 22% in the last quarter, as PC sales took a dive.
It's rumoured that the global cost of launches is 1.5 billion usd with Steve Ballmer CEO, saying that it's going to be "bigger than Windows 95". Well not yet it ain't.
With Windows 95, The Rolling Stones told us to 'start me up' with this it's more like, "cry me a river". If Ballmer is betting the farm on this, then already it's looking over.
According to Salesforce CEO, Marc Benioff, he believes the operating system upgrade is “irrelevant.” While previous Windows releases inspired corporate PC upgrade cycles, “you’re not going to hear about the Windows 8 upgrade cycle. I think it’s the end of Windows"
The end of Windows?
Largely this launch, is to bring the operating system into the touchscreen space - although one wonders how many businesses for example, will be prepared to replace their monitors for the benefit of touchscreen?
Networkworld called it a "non-event for business" and went on to pretty much slate the software. According to Networkworld - Windows 8 is going to get hammered in the next few weeks as consumers try out the new operating system for the first time. Their reactions will likely differ little from
those of reviewers who found much to complain about. The bottom line is
that Windows 8 – particularly on a tablet – does not behave much like
any previous Windows PC operating system.
The launch is a pivotal moment for Microsoft but here's what Computerworld said; The Windows 8 launch will be a rocky one, leading to an "ugly" 2013 for
Microsoft, warns a report from Forrester. And Microsoft's overall share
of the PC-and-devices market, currently at 30%, will remain static at
least until 2016, the report adds.
Curry's and PC World retailers, have said they'll open their doors in London at midnight this Friday October 26 for the launch in an attempt to generate "Applesque" interest.
And on the Focus website; Most
businesses will most likely wait a while before adopting Microsoft
Corp.'s new Windows operating system, scheduled for launch this month,
the founder of Taiwanese computer maker Acer Inc. said Tuesday."For
such a big event, it will be examined and discussed by people. It will
not happen in just one month or one quarter," Stan Shih said when asked
about the business sector's adoption of Windows 8, at the opening of a
consumer centre in Taipei.
Here's what Channel Register are saying; There’s much to be excited about. Yet, not many in the channel are
excited. In fact, the Microsoft ecosystem – component makers, PC
manufacturers, distributors and resellers – is bracing for a lull rather
than a surge in Windows-related sales.
A lull?
I think what you're seeing now is the death crunch. This is make or break time for Microsoft, once the greatest company in the world. Either Windows 8 and The Surface will take off or it won't.
One or the other.
But this time, if it fails, it fails forever.
And that could be the end of Windows.
The end of Microsoft.
You're watching a bit of history.
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