Microsoft has been saying that people should be ready to expecting more from tablets than what is being delivered by the market, currently being topped off by the Apple iPad and a raft of what it calls ‘me too’ devices in the sense of Androids.
The firm argues the tablets on the market at the this point are heavily advertised devices – in that they are only really made for watching movies or surfing websites – but that the next generation will be a ‘richer experience’ and much more skewed towards creating things.
In an industry largely made up of Apple iPads and rows of Google Android based rivals, Microsoft believes its Windows offering is in the pipeline to take advantage of this new dawn of change in expectations.
“Like any opening market it’s going to grow like billy-o, you just have to see how it matures. The door has been opened by the media tablet, and that makes people think ‘where do I go next’, said David Rodger, Microsoft’s partner strategy lead that is responsible for tablets to MCV.
“People will progressively expect more and more from the device they have. I’m not saying our competition won’t evolve with that, but certainly we believe we’re there already.”
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Frankly it sees a massive opening in the business market: “That’s where we’re seeing an opportunity with our devices. What’s happened is Apple has come in, and then a lot of ‘me too’ devices have followed, primarily aimed at the consumer. From our perspective, we really understand business needs.”
On whether Apple can actually be kicked off from the top spot in such a market shift competitiveness, Rodger said: “They (Apple) obviously have the position they have right now in the market. The next generation brings a richer experience, not just a consumption experience.”
Michael
Aug 09. 2011
Are you serious? Really? Windows8 on a tablet is supposed to bring “a richer experience”?
After you’ll have loaded the thing with antivirus, anti-spyware,anti-phishingware, and went through the 1,236 mandatory updates, your next move will most certainly to fling the thing out of the windows …
spaulagain
Aug 09. 2011
Lol at the anti-Windows comments. Windows 7 has been a great experience for me with no virus issues since install. They “anti-virus” claims are ridiculous. Plus, Apple’s OS’s are less secure than Windows, they have just never had enough market saturation for the hackers/spammers to bother with.
The previews that MS has released so far of Win8 show a very promising new look on the Windows OS and one that makes iOS and OSX look dated and clunky instantly. I love the UX on my WP7 which is farrr better than the clunky Android and in many ways out does iOS. For the first time in history, I actually believe in MS and their ability to deliver something as solid as they suggest and that it will change the market leaving its competition going back to the drawing board.
The nay-sayers have their head buried in the sand and will be choking on their own words in a couple years when MS takes the cake with their new integrated and unified Win8/WP7/Xbox/Office/Kinect/Bing eco-system.
AM
Aug 10. 2011
OS X Lion is now on par with Windows in terms of security (however Windows still offers a few features that OS X does not have and OS X offers a few features that Windows does not have). However, what Michael is saying is not about security. Technically all platforms have security problems (as long as there is lots of code, there will always be security issues); I believe that what michael is talking about is being able to use the OS instantly. The problem with Windows right now in terms of readiness is updates. Updates are needed, but in the Windows world, if you are not up to date the system will keep bugging you (it may even try to restart on you while your making coffe or something) and there are so many updates that you just fall behind. On Macs and iOS, Apple makes frequent support packs (and they make combo support packs for those not up to date) so that you can easily update the system with a single update. Another problem is interface. The new Windows 8 interface looks clean and great for tablets, but old applications will have to use WIMP (Windows, icons, mouse, and pointer) interface which was not designed for touch and that be a bit clunky.
ZipZapRap
Aug 10. 2011
“there are so many updates that you just fall behind”
What a load of tosh. Don’t blame MSFT for your laziness. You can schedule the system to update automatically or you can get off your behind and engage your brain a bit to actually do it yourself.
That’s why iOS is so popular. There are millions of complete idiots out there who want everything done for them.
AM
Aug 10. 2011
I personally keep my computer (both Windows, OS X, and Linux) up to date. However, there are many who do not do that. And even if they do there are times when Windows (like all other operating systems) crash and you have to restart all over, this is a scenario where combo updates are extremely useful. The problem with Windows updates is that there they are too fragmented, the updating mechanism forces you to restart multiple times before your computer is finally up to date.
Also, as for your comment about iOS: a computer is designed to make our lives easier to use. The system should be easy to maintain and it should be clean. People are too busy to install a tone programs and uninstall a ton of programs that they did not want at the first place. That is where iOS and most Android systems shine, the OS is simple to use and maintain and the backbone of the system is in most cases opaque to the users which makes the system very easy to use. This allows more users to focus on the actual offerings of the platform rather than the platform itself. In essence many of us are idiots or lazy or just time constrained to focus too much on operating system maintenance, this is also how the mainstream felt in regards to text based UIs vs graphical UIs in the OS.
Why
Aug 10. 2011
how do you know that windows 8 won’t have a streamlined experience. I can tell you that no one will want to download a full dvd iso when ever they need to update (like ios). Also ios will have ota patch update simular to win 7 now.
Another thing, win 8 will have an anti virus built in based of virus scanning downloader in ie9 which is rumoured to beat bitdefender (my fav)
Joey Dee
Aug 09. 2011
What you said, Michael. +1
DanM
Aug 09. 2011
Well, let’s see, how many times have we heard that before…
Mal
Aug 09. 2011
I’d love if my EXOPC with windows 7 booted up as fast as an Ipad, but I still use it as my main computer. Until Apple or Android has some OneNote type program that allows handwriting, I’ll still be sticking with Windows. So my hope is that Windows 8 will improve tablet functions.
ZipZapRap
Aug 09. 2011
I for one agree with him. iPad and the iClones are just expensive web browsers that play video and angry birds as well.
I want more from a tablet, and I’m holding out to see what Windows 8 brings. Content CREATION is exciting. Adobe has already talked about content creation on tablets.
And the whole AV thing? What is this, 1999?? Windows 7 is secure folks, hate to burst your bubble.
Shane Slavnik
Aug 09. 2011
HAHAHAHA biggest piece of crap I ever read. Windows has failed with wp7,they made more money off of android In that little escepade. They’re all hype, and no flash. Heard It all before.
Jos
Aug 10. 2011
It’s interesting that people are so quick to dismiss Microsoft’s products without even knowing just how powerful they are, how influential Microsoft really is, and why people buy their products. The Metro interface is unique. WP7 and Windows 8′s approach to a GUI is unique, and are by no means a failure. @Shane, do a little research first. And don’t cite blogs and so-called experts while you’re at it. Use those internet skills to find the true facts.
Microsoft’s ability to partner and integrate, not to mention enter a market, isn’t understood by most people. They’ve entered the game late on several occasions and have dominated it (XBox, for example).
Shane
Aug 10. 2011
i agree with u. after all they are the one who create the tablet concept
Paarkhi
Aug 10. 2011
I think ms windows 8 on tablets will be a good deal.
Mike
Aug 10. 2011
I am a pc tech. We clean virus issues out of Windows 7 computers all the time so to say that they are secure and do not get infected is not true.
ZipZapRap
Aug 10. 2011
And I’m Mother Theresa.
But no one’s saying they don’t get infected. People will browse dangerous sites, open files that shouldn’t be opened, click links that shouldn’t be clicked. It’s not Microsofts fault that people are inherrantly tech-stupid.