On this Friday i.e 26/8/12 in New York, Microsoft unveiled a dramatic overhaul of its ubiquitous Windows operation system. Microsoft is taking a huge gamble by tailoring the new version of its OS, Windows 8, as a unified OS across desktop and mobile platforms. While Apple is sticking on to its iOS for mobile devices and Mac OS x for workstations, Microsoft is putting its money on the notion that the future in a unified platform.
Windows 8 went on sale on Friday, fused into
more than 1,000 PCs and other devices. If it flops, the failure will reinforce
perceptions that Microsoft is falling behind competitors such as Apple, Google
and Amazon as its stranglehold on personal computers becomes less relevant in
an era of smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
The tech major is also sending out a major
signal with windows 8, that touch based interface is the future. This is easily
inferred from the user interface that Windows 8 comprises of , Tile-based
screens that can be moved horizontally, which of course feels completely
natural on a touch based device.
APPLE AND GOOGLE:
While Apple plays the usual role of setting
trend in the market, they are not currently keen on moving to a unified
platform. They are happy to let Microsoft set their luck. During Apple s Q2
earning conference, Tim Cook said that they wish to keep a boundary between
their phone/tablet OS and their desktop OS.
While Android OS is dominating in the
Smartphone/tablet market, Google have not particularly ventured into the
desktop operating system. Their only attempt was Google chrome OS which only
features a browser and a media player. However Google co-founder Sergey Brin
has said that " Android and Chrome will likely converge over time".
Microsoft has leveraged its global OS
dominance to set trends for the future, offering a singular Windows 8
experience across all devices. Here are the advantages and disadvantages this
could offer to developers and users.
REWARDS OF A UNIFIED PLATFORM:
- Windows 8 offers the same
user experience when you move from a tablet to PC. Hence users will have a
high comfort level between various devices and will be pleased with the
convergence of technologies.
- Unified platform harness
the power of cloud to synchronize data across all devices. When you
download apps or documents in your mobile phone, it will be available in
your desktop also.
- It supports "Write
once, run everywhere" paradigm. Developers will be able to code an
app on a single framework and deliver it to several device.
PITFALLS OF A UNIFIED
PLATFORM:
- Windows 8 a OS
designed for touch interface makes it look awkward in desktop or any other
traditional system which does not support touch interface
- A unified platform has to
come in various flavors to cater different types hardware it can run on.
Microsoft has released two forms of their new OS: Windows 8 for Intel
Based Chips and Windows RT for ARM-based chips. It is now questionable
whether one version will provide the same user experience as other.
- The system greets users
with a mosaic of tiles displaying applications instead of relying on the
desktop icons that served as the welcome mat for years. Critics say it's a
confusing jumble that will frustrate users accustomed to the older
versions, particularly when they switch to desktop mode and don't see the
familiar 'start' button and menu.
To get the Start Button you
third-party utilities such as Classic Shell , ViStart , Start Menu 7
- Modern hidden file system: When working with Modern UI apps, users can see
just two apps at a time. File system is largely hidden. (i.e) once the
file is downloaded and saved automatically , you cannot look for it
through your folders. You have to use Universal-search features, or find
it through the program that was used to open it.
OTHER FEATURES:
Logging in:
o Windows 8 is heavily integrated with Microsoft's web services. Users are provided with the ability to log on to their PCs with a Windows Live ID (instead of traditional local user account).
Modern UI:
o
After 28 years Microsoft introduced a tile-based
user-interface known as Modern UI. This UI is first introduced in Windows
phones ( called Metro UI) . Each app show up as a tile on the 'Start screen' .
These apps are capable of showing dynamic contents , such as , facebook
notification, news headlines etc.
o
New interface is provided for ' Control panel settings
' and 'Network Connections' .
o
New buttons , such as pause - resume - stop , are provided
during file-copying interface.
o
Revamped Task manager : that displays the list of programs
that are running in your PC, with a handy 'End Task' button and even more.
o
Refresh & Restore: Refresh option is provided in
Setting menu - to go back to default settings. Restore option - which wipes
down the entire hard disk and reinstall Windows 8.
o
Universal Search: Start typing the file or app name at the
Start Screen to access it. Powerful Search feature and works very well.
·
Apps
store:
o
Windows 8 comes with their own store where you can download
and install apps (limited modern apps).
CONCLUSION:
The biggest question hovering over Windows 8: Is it
innovative and elegant enough to lure consumers who are increasingly fond of
smart phones, tablets and other sleek gadgets? Those mobile devices have been
setting industry standards while Microsoft engineers have spent two years
designing a new operating system.
And Windows 8 must address not only the upheaval in the computing market since Windows 7 came out in 2009, but also have the flexibility to adjust to future shifts in technology before Microsoft releases another version in tow or three years.
Categories:
Tech
