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Microsoft might rethink on Windows 8 flagship software
by
on: 05/08/2013 07:26 AM | Source |
85 comment(s) ]
Microsoft is preparing to reverse course over key elements of its Windows 8 operating system, marking one of the most prominent admissions of failure for a new mass-market consumer product since Coca-Cola's New Coke fiasco nearly 30 years ago. Windows 8 was an ambitious attempt to update the personal computer for the tablet era by moving to a new touchscreen interface based on colourful tiles, hiding the 'desktop' launch screen familiar to white collar workers and consumers around the world.
The combination PC and tablet software was widely panned by reviewers and has been blamed by some analysts for worsening the slump in sales that has rocked the PC industry. Even before its launch, Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, said Windows 8 would be like combining a toaster and a fridge – something that, while technically possible, was 'probably not going to be pleasing to the user'.
Ms Reller refused to reveal details of the changes Microsoft would make to Windows 8. However, the clamour from reviewers has become overwhelming for a return to a more familiar PC interface. Ms Reller said PC users had faced difficulties adapting to the new software.
Pressure has been building for Windows 8 PCs to launch the familiar desktop view when turned on – and to bring back the 'start' button featured in the lower left corner of the screen in previous releases.
Microsoft has also admitted to a range of other slips with the launch of Windows 8, including failing to do enough to train retail staff and educate potential customers about the new software, as well as not focusing all of its financial incentives behind the touchscreen PCs that show off Windows 8 to best advantage. "It's very clear we could and should have done more," Ms Reller said.
Denial
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#4593871 Posted on: 05/10/2013 06:49 PM
Honestly why does the OS even need a shut down button? I haven't turned my machine off in ages. Case power button once = sleep, hold it = shut down. Remove the button in Windows completely. Any admin worth their weight knows how to shut it down via command anyway.
The only thing Microsoft knows is that in order to stay competitive they need to go mobile. In order to effectively be competitive in mobile they need to leverage their large Windows user base, so they created Windows 8. It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has. There are a few issues and things that could have been done better and it's being corrected in 8.1.
So no, they didn't fail, they don't think they failed, they think they could have launched a better product, which is true.
Honestly why does the OS even need a shut down button? I haven't turned my machine off in ages. Case power button once = sleep, hold it = shut down. Remove the button in Windows completely. Any admin worth their weight knows how to shut it down via command anyway.
They didn't have to but they know.
The only thing Microsoft knows is that in order to stay competitive they need to go mobile. In order to effectively be competitive in mobile they need to leverage their large Windows user base, so they created Windows 8. It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has. There are a few issues and things that could have been done better and it's being corrected in 8.1.
So no, they didn't fail, they don't think they failed, they think they could have launched a better product, which is true.
JoeyJoeJoe5500
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#4593895 Posted on: 05/10/2013 07:51 PM
Honestly why does the OS even need a shut down button? I haven't turned my machine off in ages. Case power button once = sleep, hold it = shut down. Remove the button in Windows completely. Any admin worth their weight knows how to shut it down via command anyway.
The only thing Microsoft knows is that in order to stay competitive they need to go mobile. In order to effectively be competitive in mobile they need to leverage their large Windows user base, so they created Windows 8. It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has. There are a few issues and things that could have been done better and it's being corrected in 8.1.
So no, they didn't fail, they don't think they failed, they think they could have launched a better product, which is true.
If they are trying to get everyone to buy tablets, and smartphones, I'm not going to move beyond 7, I am instead going to slowly migrate over to Linux, and eventually leave Windows altogether. The only thing keeping me from wiping it from my desktop completely is gaming, but at the moment, almoast no games made in the last year have interested me. There are a couple on the horizon though that I look forward to, and they may end up on Linux as well since there indie titles.
Honestly why does the OS even need a shut down button? I haven't turned my machine off in ages. Case power button once = sleep, hold it = shut down. Remove the button in Windows completely. Any admin worth their weight knows how to shut it down via command anyway.
The only thing Microsoft knows is that in order to stay competitive they need to go mobile. In order to effectively be competitive in mobile they need to leverage their large Windows user base, so they created Windows 8. It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has. There are a few issues and things that could have been done better and it's being corrected in 8.1.
So no, they didn't fail, they don't think they failed, they think they could have launched a better product, which is true.
If they are trying to get everyone to buy tablets, and smartphones, I'm not going to move beyond 7, I am instead going to slowly migrate over to Linux, and eventually leave Windows altogether. The only thing keeping me from wiping it from my desktop completely is gaming, but at the moment, almoast no games made in the last year have interested me. There are a couple on the horizon though that I look forward to, and they may end up on Linux as well since there indie titles.
Neo Cyrus
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Posts: 7418
Joined: 2006-02-14
#4593917 Posted on: 05/10/2013 09:14 PM
It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has.
What? Every report everywhere points to it selling even less than Vista did, including earlier links that were in this thread weren't they... The only reason they even have the sales which they do is because new laptops and desktops come with it. People don't get Win 8 by choice. Especially not the average consumer.
Edit: Here we go -
Why Windows 8 is a bigger flop than Vista
Windows 8: Epic Fail of the Decade?
Five reasons why Windows 8 has failed
Windows 8 Blamed for Biggest PC Shipment Plunge Ever
Windows 8 is a failure financially, and to most users.
It didn't fail at anything, it's selling on par with what Windows 7 has.
What? Every report everywhere points to it selling even less than Vista did, including earlier links that were in this thread weren't they... The only reason they even have the sales which they do is because new laptops and desktops come with it. People don't get Win 8 by choice. Especially not the average consumer.
Edit: Here we go -
Why Windows 8 is a bigger flop than Vista
Windows 8: Epic Fail of the Decade?
Five reasons why Windows 8 has failed
Windows 8 Blamed for Biggest PC Shipment Plunge Ever
Windows 8 is a failure financially, and to most users.
Denial
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Posts: 6529
Joined: 2004-05-16
#4593975 Posted on: 05/10/2013 11:04 PM
What? Every report everywhere points to it selling even less than Vista did, including earlier links that were in this thread weren't they... The only reason they even have the sales which they do is because new laptops and desktops come with it. People don't get Win 8 by choice. Especially not the average consumer.
Edit: Here we go -
Windows 8 is a failure financially, and to most users.
First of all - http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/05/07/six-months-in-windows-8-is-selling-at-the-same-rate-that-windows-7-did/
Second - You can't have your cake and eat it too. Windows 7 and Vista and XP were all sold with new laptops and desktops as well.
Third - Stop linking those articles. Seriously, just stop. There is a reason why the authors of those articles are blog writers. They clearly failed elementary math. And apparently no one here is patient enough to actually read the damn the article and realize how flawed their number is.
The first problem with adoption % is the fact that the total number of computers has doubled since 2006. 600,000,000 * .0452 is less than 1,200,000,000 * .0267. So just by going by their numbers, 8 sold more copies than Vista in the same time-frame.
The second problem is that the .0452 number was generated by comparing Vista sales to XP and only XP. The .0267 number was generated by comparing 8 to 7, Vista and XP. If you can't see the flaw in that, well then I have a bridge to sell you.
What? Every report everywhere points to it selling even less than Vista did, including earlier links that were in this thread weren't they... The only reason they even have the sales which they do is because new laptops and desktops come with it. People don't get Win 8 by choice. Especially not the average consumer.
Edit: Here we go -
Windows 8 is a failure financially, and to most users.
First of all - http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/05/07/six-months-in-windows-8-is-selling-at-the-same-rate-that-windows-7-did/
Second - You can't have your cake and eat it too. Windows 7 and Vista and XP were all sold with new laptops and desktops as well.
Third - Stop linking those articles. Seriously, just stop. There is a reason why the authors of those articles are blog writers. They clearly failed elementary math. And apparently no one here is patient enough to actually read the damn the article and realize how flawed their number is.
The first problem with adoption % is the fact that the total number of computers has doubled since 2006. 600,000,000 * .0452 is less than 1,200,000,000 * .0267. So just by going by their numbers, 8 sold more copies than Vista in the same time-frame.
The second problem is that the .0452 number was generated by comparing Vista sales to XP and only XP. The .0267 number was generated by comparing 8 to 7, Vista and XP. If you can't see the flaw in that, well then I have a bridge to sell you.
Neo Cyrus
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#4594128 Posted on: 05/11/2013 04:29 AM
Calm down, I didn't bother read the link beyond the supposed sales numbers at the top. But it wasn't the first place that wrote that and for the record I've never heard of 'thenextweb'. I'll just take your word on it and assume it's legit.
Nothing will change that Win 8s sales seem to be generated almost solely on OEMs cramming it down everyone's throats. MS could have released on OS that kills peoples families and they would have sold roughly the same. When was the last time you were at a PC shop and someone was happy with the fact that ALL the laptops had Win 8? People actually were interested in XP and Vista despite all the exaggerations about how unstable Vista was.
I'll believe it wasn't a failure when I meet one person who likes it. I've met plenty who are holding off from buying laptops due to Windows 8 though.
Calm down, I didn't bother read the link beyond the supposed sales numbers at the top. But it wasn't the first place that wrote that and for the record I've never heard of 'thenextweb'. I'll just take your word on it and assume it's legit.
Nothing will change that Win 8s sales seem to be generated almost solely on OEMs cramming it down everyone's throats. MS could have released on OS that kills peoples families and they would have sold roughly the same. When was the last time you were at a PC shop and someone was happy with the fact that ALL the laptops had Win 8? People actually were interested in XP and Vista despite all the exaggerations about how unstable Vista was.
I'll believe it wasn't a failure when I meet one person who likes it. I've met plenty who are holding off from buying laptops due to Windows 8 though.
alanm
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Posts: 5308
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#4594140 Posted on: 05/11/2013 05:39 AM
First of all - http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/05/07/six-months-in-windows-8-is-selling-at-the-same-rate-that-windows-7-did/
Second - You can't have your cake and eat it too. Windows 7 and Vista and XP were all sold with new laptops and desktops as well.
Third - Stop linking those articles. Seriously, just stop. There is a reason why the authors of those articles are blog writers. They clearly failed elementary math. And apparently no one here is patient enough to actually read the damn the article and realize how flawed their number is.
The first problem with adoption % is the fact that the total number of computers has doubled since 2006. 600,000,000 * .0452 is less than 1,200,000,000 * .0267. So just by going by their numbers, 8 sold more copies than Vista in the same time-frame.
The second problem is that the .0452 number was generated by comparing Vista sales to XP and only XP. The .0267 number was generated by comparing 8 to 7, Vista and XP. If you can't see the flaw in that, well then I have a bridge to sell you.
Wow, something must have changed in the last month for 8 to have sold 100 mil licences.
Microsoft reports weak Windows 8 sales in Q1 2013, says it will 'respond to customer feedback'
First of all - http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/05/07/six-months-in-windows-8-is-selling-at-the-same-rate-that-windows-7-did/
Second - You can't have your cake and eat it too. Windows 7 and Vista and XP were all sold with new laptops and desktops as well.
Third - Stop linking those articles. Seriously, just stop. There is a reason why the authors of those articles are blog writers. They clearly failed elementary math. And apparently no one here is patient enough to actually read the damn the article and realize how flawed their number is.
The first problem with adoption % is the fact that the total number of computers has doubled since 2006. 600,000,000 * .0452 is less than 1,200,000,000 * .0267. So just by going by their numbers, 8 sold more copies than Vista in the same time-frame.
The second problem is that the .0452 number was generated by comparing Vista sales to XP and only XP. The .0267 number was generated by comparing 8 to 7, Vista and XP. If you can't see the flaw in that, well then I have a bridge to sell you.
Wow, something must have changed in the last month for 8 to have sold 100 mil licences.
Microsoft reports weak Windows 8 sales in Q1 2013, says it will 'respond to customer feedback'
dsbig
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#4594143 Posted on: 05/11/2013 05:59 AM
anybody that says they switch to linux or mac .....
must not do alot with there pc other then the basics,music,browser,some games.office.
for me linux requires too much work just to play games.still have to install wine to play some games. some things you have to build from sources. and if its 64bit, requires more work because you have to appget to get addition sources. some times I run into problem where the servers are running slow it takes ages to download. bugs
and for mac. not every game is mac compatible.
anybody that says they switch to linux or mac .....
must not do alot with there pc other then the basics,music,browser,some games.office.
for me linux requires too much work just to play games.still have to install wine to play some games. some things you have to build from sources. and if its 64bit, requires more work because you have to appget to get addition sources. some times I run into problem where the servers are running slow it takes ages to download. bugs
and for mac. not every game is mac compatible.
JoeyJoeJoe5500
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#4594826 Posted on: 05/12/2013 06:13 PM
Yes, I only so basic stuff, with occasional gaming. But I like Linux for its amazing speed. its far less resource hungry than Windows, everything is just faster, even with KDE/Kubuntu. and the customization. Obviously lack of software is its greatest weakness right now.
Yes, I only so basic stuff, with occasional gaming. But I like Linux for its amazing speed. its far less resource hungry than Windows, everything is just faster, even with KDE/Kubuntu. and the customization. Obviously lack of software is its greatest weakness right now.
Corrupt^
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#4597156 Posted on: 05/15/2013 07:02 PM
First time that happened to me I couldn't be ****ed so I just opened up a cmd window and did it with the shut down command.
I just upgraded to Windows 8 at home so I could get used to... stuff like that. No more weird surprises now
I just know at work, one of the engineers on my team said it took them 30 minutes to figure out how to shut down the 2012 version of windows server. Something to do with moving your mouse to the right side of the screen or something? I can't even remember.
First time that happened to me I couldn't be ****ed so I just opened up a cmd window and did it with the shut down command.
I just upgraded to Windows 8 at home so I could get used to... stuff like that. No more weird surprises now
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
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Same, I decided to give Linux a whirl over a month ago, and have barley touched Windows since then. Although I haven't gamed much in the last couple years so it was easier for me to not have to use Windows.