Microsoft's Stab at Mobility

With the recent release of Windows 8, there has been both positive and negative feedback. While personally, I have found no major functionality differences between Windows 8 and the latter (Windows 7), I think that it is exciting the Windows is making a move towards a more mobile-friendly operating system.

If you have seen or heard about the new Windows 8, it is clear that this operating system was created for mobility.  This OS was designed for phones, tablets, and hybrids.  Not that you can't use it on your desktop or laptop computer but, an upgrade to Windows 8 on any machine that is not or cannot be mobile is a waste of time.

Unfortunately, though being the creators of this new, metro operating system, Microsoft is not seen as a large competitor in the mobile world especially when it comes to tablets.  I'm sure several of us had a Windows phone at some point (I've had the Motorola Q and the Samsung Omnia). My concern is not that Microsoft cannot compete in the world of smart phones, but more so that people simply do not like change. While the Windows 8 was built for mobile devices, the new OS is still discomforting to several loyal Windows users.

Microsoft should focus on taking advantage of pricing (or over pricing) of the most popular tablets and hybrid PCs.  A new Apple iPad can cost anywhere from $329 to $929 USD depending on the model.  The price range of new tablets belonging to it's largest competitor, Google Android, is approximately $199 to $649 USD. Considering that Google currently does not offer 128 GB tablets as Apple and Microsoft, Microsoft should look to begin minimizing pricing and being more affordable - at least until people begin to take to this new interface.  Currently, you can find a new Windows 8 tablet from anywhere around $400 to well over $1000 depending on the specifications.  Personally, I believe that tablets featuring Windows 8 are way over priced.

Microsoft's decision to either merge the Windows 8 service pack (internally called Windows Blue) and Windows RT (another OS released with Windows 8 in October, but with a little a lot less functionality), or completely retire Windows RT, is a great first step.  The confusion about the operating systems being released at the same time, and the company's failure to provide clear distinctions between the two are not helping them gain any momentum.  I also believe that providing a less expensive tablet is a great way to go for Microsoft. Under development is a tablet that will sell for $199.  Before Microsoft should worry about fancy specification requirements and over pricing, they should first get their hand in the tablet market. Presently, Android and Apple are the top competitors owning 90% of the market share together, leaving Windows with a little more than 4.5% and other operating systems with less than 1%.  While it is expected that the market share for Windows will grow within the next five years, they have a lot of work to do if they expect to keep up with its competitors.

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