Windows 8: Solution or Risk

Microsoft just released Windows 8 on Thursday midnight, and this operating system is applicable in both desktop as well as tablet. Unlike previous release, this time Microsoft is investing on a big project because this will be the first time it releases its tablet. Based on this decision, it seems that Microsoft is trying to enter a new market than before: consumer product rather than a strong base in the corporate market.

What is different in Windows 8?
Windows 8 looks really different compared to the previous releases. Unlike the other operating systems, Windows 8 has different user interface through emphasis on 'fun' swipe-swift interaction. This system really push into touch screen (or regular mouse and keyboard input) that is supported in most of the new laptop releases by the laptop hardware vendors.
Windows 8, based on the source cited, also operates in a faster pace compared to previous releases, which minimizes users' wait or idle time in both personal or workplace use.
Even though the basic operation is the same and all applications are still able to be used in Windows 8, the look and way of work in Windows 8 might require users to learn it for a while.

Who and where is the target market?
As of now, Microsoft might be looking into customer market rather than the corporate world. Based on its reasoning to the respond of the standard-boring looking Windows operating system compared to Apple's iOS, the playful user interface is aimed to change or revitalize the image of Microsoft Windows to be used 'again' by the customer users after most of their customer switched into Apple and/or Android.
Looking at the tablet, however, Microsoft is trying to also retained their corporate users through full-computer capability they locate in the tablets. Microsoft tablet, unlike other tablets available in the market, are capable of running and work as a workstation or regular computer. This might be a solution for Microsoft to regain both customer as well as corporate users into its market.

Solution or.. Risk?
This summer through my internship, I have seen windows 8 on Tablet and got to use it a couple of times. Through my observation, Windows 8 has a very different interface that is very interesting and tech-savvy. Customer like me might like it because it is not as mainstream as Apple's iPad or other types of tablets. As for desktop, it is also really interesting and seems suitable for younger generation. As mentioned in the article, the impression that I got from interacting with Windows 8 is cutting edge and fun.
Even though a lot of people say that there is no big difference and changes in Windows 8, but in my opinion, there is a big change. Just like the change of Apple from version to a newer version, which for the most part is the way it looks, it is the same case for the change in Windows 8. Change in user interface is huge.

On the other side, people are seeing the risks in Windows 8.
1. Corporate customer are more likely to be resistant in implementing Windows 8 in their workplace, because of the fun and play image that they have implemented. Besides that, the change in user interface might not bring as much benefit compared to the cost they ought to pay. Except one consideration that the corporate side can consider: faster operation in the system which can improve employees' productivity.
2. Even though the concept of Windows 8 is fun and user interactive, the total change in the way it looks and works might require users to really train themselves for a while. I might say that I am more tech-savvy than most regular consumer, but when I looked at Windows 8 it took me a while to really know what I am doing with the device / operating system. Which means, it might take other consumers to learn it. This can create resistant to change or adopt the operating system.

Windows 8 Launch (New York):

Microsoft has seen some risks within this product and a lot of articles have been written before the release expressing a negative view regarding Windows 8. On the other side, I have seen many excitements and welcoming opinion regarding the same product. We will only see in after sometimes, what the answer is, whether windows 8 is a solution for Microsoft to retain and regain its share in the technology market, or perhaps a risk that can lead Microsoft to a huge loss.


Source:
- CNN
- Windows Video 

C.A.

Windows8

The new Windows has probably the most revolutionized design since the basic level from 1992. Windows has not just upgraded the capabilities of the OS, but the entire look of this system. However, the change is much debated. Some argue the fact that the new look is extraordinary and it is clearly an association with the popular tablets and smartphone interface  that is very interesting, while others think  that keeping the same design is bringing all the negative aspects that the tablets and the smartphone were having and that made the desktop so viable. It is like Microsoft really wants us to shift towards tablets and Smartphones by limiting the capabilities of the OS for desktop instead of increasing the capabilities of the mobile version. First, the metro apps that are filling the screen are changing the way that we were using the computer until today. It is impossible for example to open a second window of the Metro Internet explorer if we want to. All other apps, like email or chat, have to stay in a single window.

The file management in Metro is very complicated. The basic things that we have learned about Windows have to change. The way that we are used to drag the images, on the desktop, or in the folder, moving them up from one place to another is terrible if we compare it with the old versions of Windows.

It seems that this version of the Windows is not a development of the Windows 7 but its rather a completely different OS, the first version of its kind. All the problems that it has from the capabilities, to the design and its limitations show us the fact that it needs to evolve in order to become better. The design of the OS on the tablets and smartphone is brilliant but it cannot be adapted to the desktop. The design of the Windows 8 Mobile is great and it is adapted to the capabilities and the limitations of a portable device. Windows however chose to adapt these limitations just to enjoy the same success that they had with the previous Mobile versions. They are probably trying to have a common design and interface, and although it looks very good, it certainly needs some upgrades and some changes. 

Source:http://gizmodo.com
MO

Gaming and Beyond

The gaming industry has really stepped up its game in the past few years.  Many have even come close to being their own personal computers.  They may not have all of the capabilities as a computer, such as installing Microsoft Office, but who’s to say that won’t change in the near future?  Gaming systems today have many capabilities.  I will use Microsoft’s Xbox 360 as an example in this blog. 

The Xbox has many ways to entertain any of its users.  One of the main applications used on the system is Netflix.  Through this app, users who have paid for a membership through Netflix are able to stream movies and television shows to their TV for their instant enjoyment.  The Xbox also offers apps that allow users to either stream or purchase music on the Xbox and play through their television.  If the music has been downloaded onto the Xbox, users can even play the music from their Xbox while continuing game play.  This is a great future for those who enjoy good music in the background.

Most recently, Xbox has updated the online experience to include Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.  I don’t know about any of you, but I think this is a great feature considering the Playstation 3 already has their own browser and has since the release of the system.  Internet Explorer's General Manager Ryan Gavin had this to say about the introduction of Internet Explorer on the Xbox:  "IE on Xbox enables you to view content on the web on your TV and includes great features like the ability to personalize your dashboard by pinning your favorite web sites and watching HTML5 videos on the web."

With the introduction of the browser to the Xbox, I feel that the system is becoming more and more comparable to a computer.  And with rumors of Microsoft’s new system under development, this makes me wonder how close to a computer the next platform will be.

DJ

Main Source:  CNet

iPhone 5 Problems

iPhone 5 was just released, but the new gadget, has already very big issues. Although all the Apple products that were released so far were the subject of many debates, this is probably the product with the most significant problems ever and many people are saying that the first major product after Steve Jobs, is “the most flawed iPhone in several generations”. And they are right. Even Apple admits that at least one of their services, specifically Apple Maps is a failure and they have published a letter of apology on their website that was signed by Tim Cook. “With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better”. 

However, the fact that Apple admitted this failure is confirming the many other problems that the iPhone has. For example, it has been reported that the camera of iPhone 5,  has even bigger problems than the iPhone 4s. While comparing two photos taken with iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, while the camera was directed to the sun, the iPhone 5 had problems with the so called “purple flare problem” while iPhone 4S hadn’t. Apple admitted this and said that this is a normal problem and the solution would be to move the angle of the phone away from the bright lights.

Other problems noted were Wi-Fi connectivity problems, the  strange noises coming from inside of the gadget, and many others. It is very clear that, although this gadget was very expected, and it sold 5 million iPhone copies in the first weekend that was in stores, people began to experience problems and there are  many complaints about the quality of the product. The expectations were very high and many of the customers are very disappointed.  The product is already for sale and there is not much for the company to do, rather than wait and see if there will appear any other major problem. The future of the company will depend strictly on the quality of this product and its ability to meet the high standards that its customers were used to.

Sources: Apple.com, Liz Klimas
MO.

Safety feature for tablet readers!

With increasing amount of tablet users and readers, it is not rare anymore to see people walking, sitting, driving (hopefully not) with tablet on their left hand and other things, including controlling the tablet with the right hand. To me it does not sound really safe and convenient, isn't it?

It seems like technology has heard every little or big things we need. This time Japan came up with a new cutting edge technology: the i beam tablet with eye control track that let you control the tablet with our own eyes. You can flip through e-books, scroll through browser, and scroll through picture gallery with eyes as guide. The two eye sensors on the botton of the tablet allows the tablet to track your eye movements and repspond to the movement. Although, it might feels like it can be disturbing if we cannot focus on the tablet, but this is a very interesting and inspiring technology that is still in its infancy. Perhaps in the future, this might be how we are going to use technology: no more punching keyboards or right/left clicking mouse, just stare and glare. With this capacity existing, a person might be more efficient and capable of executing more tasks in the tablet.

If you are interested to see how i-beam tablet works:

This leave customer wondering if this technology will be followed by the industry leaders: Apple, Samsung, Amazon kindle, or Nook. It is possible, although they might consider the risks and benefit they can get by implementing this technology on their product. Some risks that they might consider are how reliable are the eye sensors? How fast can these sensors respond and how it will impact their operating system, or even how should they change the user interface so maybe instead of using the big green dot on the screen they might use something more user friendly. This technology is inspiring and creative, but there are a lot more things to evaluate. Apple and all industry leaders should be ready and follow for the better!

 

Source: CNet

 

CA