Re:Microsoft's Surface sales figures are in, and they're hid...
by wvenable on Tuesday July 30, 2013 @10:48PM
(#6131617)
Microsoft isn't really leveraging their existing desktop monopoly; if they were doing that they might have had a chance. Instead they competing with Apple and Google on their competitors terms. They created an entirely new locked down API and a store; that isn't leveraging anything.
When Windows-on-ARM was demoed running full Windows 7 with all the fixings I was really interested. But then they crippled it.
There isn't anything wrong with Metro. Having a single OS across every platform is good too. But sacrificing the desktop for WinRT/Metro is the opposite of leveraging their monopoly.
If I was in charge of Microsoft, I'd put the Windows 7 start menu back in Win8. I'd make it so metro applications (and settings) could run windowed in the desktop. I'd focus on simplifying the desktop experience to make it more metro-like without forcing people to switch modes. Windows RT would run all ARM Win32 apps unrestricted.
When Windows-on-ARM was demoed running full Windows 7 with all the fixings I was really interested. But then they crippled it.
There isn't anything wrong with Metro. Having a single OS across every platform is good too. But sacrificing the desktop for WinRT/Metro is the opposite of leveraging their monopoly.
If I was in charge of Microsoft, I'd put the Windows 7 start menu back in Win8. I'd make it so metro applications (and settings) could run windowed in the desktop. I'd focus on simplifying the desktop experience to make it more metro-like without forcing people to switch modes. Windows RT would run all ARM Win32 apps unrestricted.