I came across an article recently titled, ‘Microsoft prepares rethink on Windows 8 flagship software’ found here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/3...
The article suggests that 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”. Apparently they have finally caved to pressure from the many irate windows users who have been screaming at Microsoft to bring back a more familiar format to their OS since windows 8 launched. They now intend to bring forth an update that will change “key aspects” of how win 8 is used.
While it’s good that Microsoft are finally listening to what their customers want, changes on this scale equate to what Financial Times describes as “a significant admission of failure for Steve Ballmer”. This is made all the more significant when you think back to the launch of windows 8 in October last year, which was described by Ballmer himself as a “bet-the-company” moment. Richard Doherty, analyst at tech research firm Envisioneering, is quoted as saying: “This is like New Coke, going on for seven months – only Coke listened better.”
Obviously this fiasco will have a significant impact on their OS business and image but what of the third Xbox? I ask the question because, according to recent rumors, Xbox 3 will run on a “core version” of windows 8. http://www.tgdaily.com/game...
Doing such a huge U-turn on windows 8 functionality could affect the way that the OS is implemented on MS’s console. I could speculate on how but, given that we know very little about how the OS on XB3 will work, it would just be pure guess work.
Given the backlash MS has faced over win 8 they are sure to be treading lightly with the XB3 OS as tying it too close to their troubled desktop OS could reflect badly on the console. Of course there’s always the chance that non of this will affect the console but with their main source of income in the firing line you have to wonder if MS could even stay in the video game industry should their golden goose keel over and die.
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Meh. 360 already has the metro design and it's well received there. It works well enough for a console, but no one asked for this to pervade their PCs.
By most obvious signs they designed the interface for PC OS more in line for tablets and Kinect. Shoving those "options" down people's throats while ignoring basic access. They have no excuse not to have seen negative backlash from such a move.
But I can't see them doing anything other than doubling down with the next Xbox given that that's what they were aiming for.
It will have no effect on the next xbox what so ever.
The complaints with Windows 8 come from PC users who can't operate properly without a touch screen attached to their computer. A lot of us told Microsoft this before they released the final version and they didn't listen a tad. They thought that forcing users to use a new interface even when it doesn't work correctly with a mouse and keyboard, would be a good idea. Guess that didn't work out for them.
maybe I'm in the minority but i have been using the various versions of Windows since 3.1. The major overhaul that was 95 marked a significant change to their OS and they have been building from there.
I may be one of only a small handful that never had issue with ANY of the windows versions. Including ME and Vista. I use a windows 7 pc at my work and a windows 8 netbook at home. I have no problem discerning the two.
I dont read much in the way of tech blogs regarding complaints unless I too am experiencing issues that warrant searching out a solution. so you can see why I dont know of these problems the masses are screaming about.
I use the system (probably not to the fullest) and for what I do, their OS works like a charm. So I will need to read up on the proposed changes they intend to make.
I will say this though, the time it takes to adhere to changes is diminishing as each younger generation grows into maturity. Meaning that I know more about PC than my parents and one day my children will know even more than I do now. They are adaptable to the changing conditions at a younger age where as older people are referred to as "set in their ways".
Just FYI...I'm 40 and i am able to adapt to the changing conditions of things. There can be no progress without change. If MS wants to admit failure with 8, that is on them. I personally dont have a problem with it and can appreciate the changes that have been made to "Windows" in general over the years.
i have become so accustomed to Windows that i almost forget how to do things in DOS....I say 'almost'. Now how this will effect the nextbox....remains to be seen. We can assume they are trying their hand at the media center pc aspect that they have been working on for years with previous ideas like webtv and media center editions of various windows OS.
Looking back, the consumers werent ready to give up their dedicated boxes for entertainment but as time passed, more conveniences were built into these gaming platforms to bridge that gap and bring with it PC-esq abilities as well.
We are at a point where convenience and technology has made it possible for people to have 1 box that does a multitude of things from playing games to being entertained by movies/tv and surfing the web. Just like ideas of the past, the time has come back around where consumer ARE ready to embrace change because it is offering so much more than it did the first time they tried it.
Talk about clutching at straws...