The Financial Times lead story today is Microsoft prepares U turn on Windows 8. It centres on an interview given by Tammy Reller, head of marketing and finance for Microsoft’s Windows business.
I’ve written about the shortcomings of Windows 8 many times. See my 8th Apr 13 post - Windows 8 to blame for PC Slump - and work back. I’ve also written many times about the leadership of Steve Balmer – CEO at Microsoft. See Microsoft – Time for a change at the top. Of course, the two are closely connected. It is very difficult to see how Balmer could survive yet another debacle of Vista proportions.
The qwerty layout was designed because of mechanical typewriters. Manufacturers wanted to avoid the arms for the most popular letters hitting each other. Clearly that is not relevant anymore but it would be plain daft to change something that everyone is so used to. Same applies to the layout of a cockpit in a car. I remember how many have tried to change the round steering wheel to something ‘better’. They have all failed.
The same applies to Windows. I, for one, have no desire for any change in the way I do the ‘serious’ productive work (like writing long reports, doing my accounts etc) on my PC. On the other hand I have quickly embraced a different way of ‘consuming’ stuff on my smartphone and tablet. I can’t see any reason why there can’t be two interfaces. Indeed, that is the Apple approach.
But it goes further than this. I know of many people who have NOT bought a new laptop purely because of Windows 8. Also others that have sought out the remaining stocks of Windows 7 laptops instead.
If, as expected, Microsoft launches a revised Windows 8 later this year that looks pretty much like Windows 7, I will be very pleased. But this time Balmer really does have to fess up and do the honourable thing.