I expect readers will pardon the carpentry pun, but Windows 10 is just around the corner, and Redmond’s new OS will create several possibilities for hardware and software developers.
Windows 10 represents a departure from Microsoft’s traditional OS strategy. It is not just a new working system, it’s a automatic and free upgrade for countless Windows 8.1 apparatus. It’s also designed to address numerous consumer complaints related to this Windows 8.x UI (previously called Metro layout language or Metro UI). The changes aren’t just skin deep, as Windows 10 isn’t a mere redesign using a new UI and fancier programs; it may even mark the start of a new era for Microsoft, and in this article I will explain why.
First, let’s take a look at what Microsoft is trying to do with respect to addressing Windows 8.x foibles.
Picking up Where Windows 8 Failed — on Tablets
Microsoft started working on Windows 8 until Windows 7 was released in 2009. Windows 7, which was essentially Windows Vista done correctly, quickly gained a fantastic reputation for sorting out a number of problems which plagued its ill-fated predecessor. Therefore, Windows 8 had a lot to live up to, however also to raising the bar for traditional Windows Microsoft hoped to make it tablet-friendly. This resulted in a number of controversies regarding the company’s UI options, beginning with the boot to Start strategy, the lack of a conventional Start menu, and the inadequate performance of the newest Metro-style UI on desktops and laptops without a touch assistance. Reviewers lambasted the first release, asserting it would only alienate traditional desktop users for the sake of a couple million tablet users. Microsoft’s Surface tablets didn’t help, either. Windows RT, or Windows on ARM, was a flop. Microsoft recently announced that Windows RT would not find a Windows 10 upgrade. Meanwhile, Intel developed lots of x86 System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions capable of conducting”real” Windows on inexpensive tablets.
Actually, Intel liked these 22nm Bay Course chips so much that it ended up giving millions out for free in 2014 via its contra revenue programmes. That’s the way the chipmaker was able to send 46 million components, many of which ended in economical Windows tablets. While it may sound like an odd decision, it allowed Intel to gain a foothold in the pill SoC space with Microsoft more than eager to get on board. Both companies had a vested interest in getting x86 platforms to as many tablets as possible, because their market share in the pill area was abysmal. Microsoft returned the favour by making Windows with Bing available free of charge (with some constraints ), which meant that hardware makers could get a cutting-edge Intel processor and Microsoft’s x86 operating system free, given they respected Intel’s and Microsoft’s guidelines.
At this point, you may be wondering what this has to do with Windows 10 growth – but believe me, it is going to prove very relevant during the upcoming few decades. Intel and Microsoft learned a painful lesson in the mobile section, and they will not make the same mistake twice. Both firms are in it for the long haul. Their idea isn’t to conquer the tablet computer marketplace, but to change it by blurring the lines between tablets and ultraportable laptops. Intel calls such devices 2-in-1s, and it finally has 14nm processors (Core M show ) effective at bringing notebook levels of functionality on Windows tablets.
Research companies IDG and Gartner recently published their 2015 tablet market forecasts, and they proved what many analysts have been saying for decades — Microsoft and Intel will succeed in the long run. IDC expects the market share of Android and iOS pills to remain stagnant, while Windows pills and 2-in-1s will gain share this year moving from 5.1% in 2014 to 7.0% in 2015. By 2019, Windows tablets are expected to command a 14.1% market share at the cost of Android and iOS tablets. Gartner’s figures point to a similar fashion, although the firm’s prediction only offers estimates for 2015 and 2016.
Bottom line, sales of Windows laptops and notebooks are expected to go down over the next few years while earnings of ultramobile devices and tablets may see strong growth. This will obviously make Windows a far more appealing platform for tablet improvement.
What About Windows 10 Phones and Universal Apps?
It’s been awhile since Microsoft updated its smartphone operating system, but even when it was new it failed to catch a large market share. This clearly caused problems for the stage, as Windows programmers were hesitant to invest resources in creating Windows Phone programs — iOS and Android were considerably bigger and more rewarding.
This won’t change anytime soon. The OS was lean and made good use of limited hardware resources, so it functioned on inexpensive and underpowered apparatus that could battle with Android. There was not a great deal of fragmentation either, because Microsoft carefully limited what type of hardware could be used in Windows phones.
However, intense competition in the smartphone marketplace prevented Windows phones from taking off. While Windows works much better on underpowered hardware, this truly isn’t much of a selling point nowadays since low-end Android mobiles ship with relatively strong hardware and a good deal of RAM.
