Skip to main content

Switched On: Windows ReTried


Last week's Switched On discussed the initial confusion and rough ride for Windows RT, which became a dealbreaker for inventive PC designs that used the operating system. Despite ASUS dropping out of making Windows RT devices and joining such abstainers as HP, Acer and Toshiba, the operating system is due to be updated to include improvements in Windows 8.1, creating what will apparently be Windows RT 8.1.

While Windows RT may have survived the chopping block, Microsoft faces some tough decisions regarding its future. Here are a few scenarios on how its future may play out.

RESILIENT TENACITY

The most likely scenario, at least for the short term, is that Microsoft will stand by Windows RT. Whatever the future of Windows may hold, Microsoft clearly believes that failure is not an option. That doesn't mean that the company couldn't sway from its current hybrid user-interface direction. If it stays on the path, though, the cheaper touch-based Windows products become, the stronger the case will be for "Modern" apps that can run on Windows RT.

RELAYED TOWEL

Then again, Microsoft could just throw in the towel and cancel or postpone further development of Windows RT. At this point, few manufacturers or consumers would miss it. And as Intel-based devices allow for ever-thinner form factors with longer battery life, the case for Windows RT may be even weaker than it is today. Or as an alternative, it could skip a release and wait until enough Modern apps make RT more appealing.

REVISED TININESS

Rather than disappear completely, it is more likely that Microsoft will merge Windows RT with Windows Phone, with which it already shares its kernel. Windows Phone has even less support for legacy desktop applications than RT, but one ARM-based variant that could span both tablets and handsets would align Microsoft's mobile operating system lineup with that of Apple and Google. Consolidation of Windows Phone and Windows RT would be a natural step now that the two operating systems are under one roof at Microsoft and a "Modern" version of Office appears to be in the offing.

REMNANT TIMIDITY

Is there room at Microsoft for an operating system that isn't licensed? There have been at least a few over the years, for its Zune and Xbox products. Perhaps the market for RT-based systems is so small that Microsoft -- or a single partner such as Nokia -- would be the only taker, at least as an intermediary step. This kind of strategy might work as a fallback for a while, but in the past, its operating systems that attracted few licensees (such as Portable Media Center and Windows Home Server) have not stayed around for long.

Without the benefit of backward compatibility, Windows RT offered the purest test of consumer acceptance of the new Windows touch experience on larger devices; its support of the same ARM processors used by Android tablet makers was to level the playing field. Regardless of whether it lives on as is, gets dropped or merges with Windows Phone to expand its reach into handsets, its lack of acceptance should serve as a wakeup call to Microsoft. The company must do more to reach tablet customers looking beyond backward compatibility with desktop applications.


Source: ENGADGET

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PRIVACY POLICY

Privacy Policy Last updated: February 20, 2024 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator . Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. Affiliate means an entity that controls, is con...

Child-friendly Galaxy Tab 3 Kids listed in Korean brochure

We're no experts in Korean back-to-school literature, but it looks as if one retailer has tipped Samsung's plans a little early. If the documents above are legitimate, then the company will launch a kiddie-focused Galaxy Tab in short order. The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids is said to be an 8.5-inch slate with a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, a 1,024 x 600 WSVGA display, 8GB storage, 1GB RAM and Jelly Bean. The company has also seen fit to include 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a microSD card slot (no word on capacity) and a 4,000mAh battery. One thing that lends weight to the listing is that the device's model number is SM-T2105, which evleaks tersely described as a "Galaxy Tab for children" a month ago. There's more pictures over at the source, but not a single spec saying that this new device is resistant to jam-smeared fingers. Source: ENGADGET

So this is basically / Asi que esto es basicamente... [SPANISH TEXT]

Si amigos, basicamente la idea del blog fue introducir a todos en el mundo de la tecnologia y hacer que esta no fuera tan "compleja" o "complicada" para todos. Ultimamente no hago reviews propios, ya que me tomo la molestia de elegir buenas noticias (que considero) para su placer informativo (bueno, las visitas me dicen que lo estoy haciendo bien) Pero, y si algun dia llegase a terminar todo? Regalar el dominio? Vender el blog? Nah, muchas veces me lo he preguntado pero... por algo senti el deseo de escribirles, desde mi misma mano y tecla, porque esto es lo que me apasiona: la tecnologia, la programacion, el llevar todo niveles superiores, exponenciar mi capacidad de analisis. De esto se trata todo, esto es basicamente el alma del blog: tecnologia. Actualmente me encuentro en otra ciudad, desde hace ya 1 mes. Las cosas han estado normales, pues dentro de lo que alguien podria definir de "normal". Gracias a Dios no me hace falta lo basico, desafortunad...