Microsoft wants Windows 8 to be more like OSX
source: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/mobile-phones/279307/microsoft-sets-sights-on-apple-for-windo...
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Leaked slides used by Microsoft in its latest round of meetings with system builders reveal that Windows 8 will focus on start-up times, slate computing, connectivity and facial recognition.
The slides, which a number of analysts say are genuine, first appeared on Windows 7 fan site Windowsette and make it clear that the software giant strives to match Apple when it comes to simplicity.
A slide titled “How Apple Does It: A Virtuous Cycle” talks about Apple’s reputation for quality. “Apple is known for high quality, uncomplicated, ‘It just works’,” reads the slide. “This is something people will pay for!”
The company is also keener than ever to keep Windows as lean as possible, with talk of further improving boot times over Windows 7. It’s clear that the drubbing the company got for Windows Vista is still fresh in its thoughts.
The focus on tablet computing is also a clear indicator that Microsoft feels threatened by the success of Apple’s iPad, which sold more than three million units in its first two months on sale. The company also sees Apple’s App Store as a target, as the slides mull over a “Windows Store” that would allow users to purchase applications for Windows (and perhaps other Microsoft devices).
In addition, Microsoft may be considering the unification of its operating system development efforts as the slides referring to the Windows Store also suggest that users will be able to get the applications they want and be able to use them “on any Windows 8 device”. It’s not clear exactly what this means – it could be as simple as having access to the same applications across their laptop, desktop PC and slate or netbook, but it could also expand to mobile phones too if Microsoft wanted to really push the boat out.
Windows 8 is at least a couple of years away based on the timeframes in the leaked slide decks, but they give an interesting insight into where Microsoft thinks the computing market is going. There’s still a long way to go and there are a lot of questions that remained unanswered, but it’ll be interesting to see if the company does remodel itself on Apple – if, indeed, the slides are genuine.
The slides, which a number of analysts say are genuine, first appeared on Windows 7 fan site Windowsette and make it clear that the software giant strives to match Apple when it comes to simplicity.
A slide titled “How Apple Does It: A Virtuous Cycle” talks about Apple’s reputation for quality. “Apple is known for high quality, uncomplicated, ‘It just works’,” reads the slide. “This is something people will pay for!”
The company is also keener than ever to keep Windows as lean as possible, with talk of further improving boot times over Windows 7. It’s clear that the drubbing the company got for Windows Vista is still fresh in its thoughts.
The focus on tablet computing is also a clear indicator that Microsoft feels threatened by the success of Apple’s iPad, which sold more than three million units in its first two months on sale. The company also sees Apple’s App Store as a target, as the slides mull over a “Windows Store” that would allow users to purchase applications for Windows (and perhaps other Microsoft devices).
In addition, Microsoft may be considering the unification of its operating system development efforts as the slides referring to the Windows Store also suggest that users will be able to get the applications they want and be able to use them “on any Windows 8 device”. It’s not clear exactly what this means – it could be as simple as having access to the same applications across their laptop, desktop PC and slate or netbook, but it could also expand to mobile phones too if Microsoft wanted to really push the boat out.
Windows 8 is at least a couple of years away based on the timeframes in the leaked slide decks, but they give an interesting insight into where Microsoft thinks the computing market is going. There’s still a long way to go and there are a lot of questions that remained unanswered, but it’ll be interesting to see if the company does remodel itself on Apple – if, indeed, the slides are genuine.
