The Windows 8 BUILD Event kicks off Sept. 13, 2011, and where would we be without The VAR Guy’s input and perspective? Microsoft has thus far kept everyone in the loop with its development of Windows 8 through its Building Windows 8 blog, and our resident blogger is liking what he reads — for the most part.
The VAR Guy senses Microsoft is going to great lengths to make Windows 8 something truly different. But is it enough? If the Building Windows 8 Blog is to believed, Microsoft will leave no developmental stone unturned in this latest version of Windows. But where should Microsoft focus Windows 8 to have maximum impact? Here are The VAR Guy’s top three:
- Developers: This is an obvious one, but The VAR Guy would be remiss if he didn’t mention that developers are the foundation of success of any platform. Windows 8 is going to need a hearty base of excited developers willing to build applications that fit into Microsoft’s new “Metro” UI mentality. This is likely the reason for BUILD more than anything, and for Microsoft to have BUILD at all means there’s tons of potential in the system.
- Nailing the GUI: Our resident blogger realizes this may also be an obvious focus, but just because something looks cool doesn’t mean it’s useful. Can Microsoft ensure Metro is not just a bunch of superfluous tiles but a sexy, stylish and useful interface for interacting with technology? Microsoft boasts on the BUILD site that Windows 8 will be the biggest game-changer for Microsoft since Windows 95, and will focus heavily on ensuring the interface is linked into HTML5, JavaScript and other “web-powered apps.” Whether Microsoft can actually do this seems reliant on whether the first focus, developers, catches on.
- Platform Use Case: Most people don’t spend money on something they already have, so Microsoft needs to build a rock-solid use case for Windows 8, and more importantly, Windows 8 tablets. The VAR Guy believes tablets are really where the heart and soul of Windows 8 seems centered, especially (again) with the Metro interface. But Windows 8 needs to be more than a touch-layer on Windows 7; it needs to deliver a unique, productive user experience that changes the paradigm while playing well with existing technology, especially Windows Phone 7. If there’s interoperability across the board (like webOS was designed to do between phones and tablets) Microsoft has a chance to capture a market of Windows Phone 7 users. If Windows 8 runs regular Windows apps infused with Windows 8 touch goodness, Microsoft could snag a whole new group of users. But if Windows 8 tablets are simply netbooks without keyboards, Microsoft will fail.
The VAR Guy is reserving judgment on a true Windows 8 tablet or computer until he sees something with his own eyes. Check back with The VAR Guy later as he expounds on the BUILD keynote.
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I’m at the build conference, and from a developers point of view, I’m pretty excited right now. Microsoft had an extensive demonstration this morning. This might make me put my iPad down… And that’s an important thing to do if you want committed developers. Also interesting is how Microsoft has handled the show…. Much of it was kept secret with only rumors flying around. They built it up to be either exciting or really dissapointing, and I’d have to say it’s a hit with most everybody here so far.
Sam: The VAR Guy thanks you for your perspectives from BUILD. As you consider Microsoft’s messaging so far, can you “imagine” a new generation of third-party applications for Windows 8? Thoughts?
-TVG
It is not the developers that are the foundation of success of a platform, it is the users. Users attract developers to a platform, not the other way round.
Just compare Apple’s i-platform with Android: Apple still has more apps in its store, and more developers working on them. Yet which one are the users going for in droves?
Microsoft has claimed a Windows Phone developer base and app base fast approaching that of Apple. Yet how many users is this attracting to the platform? Hardly any.
The Var Guy:
Imagining applications is the easy part. I could see everything from PSA’s to Games running well in this paradigm. What Microsoft is really going to need is developers who are excited enough that they write new Metro style applications. They’ve made existing applications work really well, so there is not going to be a sudden burden on Developers of having apps that will no longer work. I’ve loaded up most of my daily software, and all are running fine on the Samsung they gave us at the conference.
Lawrence:
You raise some excellent points. However, I would ask you to consider this in your third paragraph. It is true that Win Phone 7 is not attracting many users. Nokia may eventually dent this, but that’s definitely a wait and see. Windows 8 is going to be different in that they are going after a beach head… the desktop. If they were solely going after tablets, I would be very concerned about their ability to succeed. I think they will get their users they are after, not just the devs.
In the end, I want Apple, Google, and Microsoft to all be successful. I believe the last few years has seen a great deal of innovation because they are all running hard against each other.
Regarding x86-desktop Windows 8, that’s still dominated by Windows XP. What are XP users going to think, looking at the Metro interface, if they couldn’t even handle upgrading to Vista/7?
Lawrence@3: The VAR Guy somewhat disagrees with your thesis. Successful software platforms always have a few engaged, eager developers in place before a critical mass of users arrive.
Windows 3.x?
Windows 95?
iPad?
Great developer innovations attracted the users…
Sam@4: You are absolutely right. The innovation battle between Apple, Google and Microsoft is FANTASTIC for customers and channel partners. Remember how boring the software market had become in the mid-1990s until the Web came along? The pace of innovation has accelerated again thanks to cheap broadband, mobility and the cloud. Killer combos.
Lawreence@5: So, you’re back again. And you raise a fantastic point: Windows XP users may freak out (in a bad way…) when they see the Windows 8 Metro interface. But, many of those same users are familiar with the Apple and Android touch approach, so at least that’s a start… …
-TVG
Lawrence — and The VAR Guy,
Windows 7′s launch was largely successful and I think people trust Microsoft again. I don’t know many bastions of Windows XP users these days. Windows 7 migrations have come along nicely and Windows 7 has found love with hardcore gamers to IT admins.
I think Microsoft is headed in the right direction with Windows 8 Metro. Anytime I see a Windows XP machine running, there’s pretty much two reasons: 1) The user is stubborn or needs XP for some bizarre compatibility requirement 2) The computer is old, and so are the users.
I think the category Microsoft cares about is the latter. And if Grandma and Grandpa want to get e-mail, Skype with the kids and play solitaire, Windows 8 will likely offer them a much more intuitive experience than Windows XP.
For everyone else in the channel, you can turn off everything about Windows 8 you hate, including all the Metro stuff, and essentially apply WIndows 8 as a huge service pack to Windows 7.
But that’s just my two cents…