Last week has been a busy week at Microsoft that ensured that they got more than enough media coverage and showed off their future offerings.
Last Monday, Microsoft unveiled their upcoming Surface tablets and Smart Covers. The tablets show promise, posing a great threat to both the iPad’s dominance in the tablet market as well as ultrabooks. A compact device, running Windows, with Office, with a case that doubles up as a keyboard, the dream.
Windows 8 has shown promise since it was first announced, with it’s Metro UI which consists out of a bunch of blocks, instead of a proper, fluid user interface. Windows 8 was an upgrade over Windows 7 none the less, bringing support for ARM based devices that ensure more power efficient, slim devices.
Then, on Wednesday, they announced Windows Phone 8, their latest offering for mobile devices. Many applauded all the upgrades it brought including some more customization options, expandable storage options, better hardware etc. It was also widely criticised for not allowing current devices such as Nokia’s Lumia series of devices to upgrade to it.
Windows Phone 8 has shown promise as well, despite still lacking some features that users may take for granted, it is finally up to standard with competing offerings from Apple and Google. With it, Microsoft will finally have a fighting chance in the mobile arena, after the failure that was Windows Mobile and the underwhelming Windows Phone 7.
Microsoft did screw the pooch however. Launching their own Windows 8 tablets may have created some negative response from hardware partners, but it was a smart move in driving their partners to create more innovative products. Their current line of Windows Phone devices not being upgradeable to Windows Phone 8 was a disappointment too, but quite clever, as users that would like to experience the new offering would have to purchase new devices.
Microsoft shows promise. Their new software offerings will definitely compete. But the question is will it succeed, the short answer, YES!!!
