Remove the start menu, Metro is too different

Computer store news: Lead: American technology blog Engadget today released AOL former vice president Brad · Hill (Brad Hill) article said that Microsoft's overall strategic thinking for Windows8 It is completely correct, but in the process of implementation, it has alienated users because of some details. For example, the desktop environment can be left in the default state, and the user can switch to the Metro touch interface to avoid too sudden and smooth transition.

The following is a summary of the article:

Unsatisfactory sales

The American drama "Sherlock Holmes: Basic Deduction" tells the story of the American version of modern Holmes, one of which is embedded in Microsoft. Surface ads. In the play, Holmes is in New York, and is proficient in technology. In order to study some problems, he suddenly took out a Surface. The sound when he fastened the keyboard was exactly the same as the Microsoft Surface advertisement, and then the bracket on the back of the fuselage was opened. This iconic step is not incompatible with the plot, and even creates the illusion that the advertisement is being inserted. Holmes then began using Bing search content to shift the focus of the embedded advertising from the product to the ecosystem.

I don't know if seeing a genius character in a novel using a Surface tablet will help boost sales, but even if it helps, I'm afraid it won't be too big. Like other Windows 8 computers, Surface sales are flat. Since users are already familiar with Windows 7 and XP, it may be unexpected to delay in switching to the Metro interface for PCs and Surfaces. But the poor sales have surprised analysts, and some have even begun to cut Microsoft's revenue expectations.

In order to achieve long-term integration of the ecosystem, Microsoft did a lot of the right things, but also made some unnecessary mistakes.

The Surface RT and Windows 8 operating systems were released on October 26 last year and have been on sale for more than four months. However, according to media reports, the sales of Surface and Windows 8 computers are not satisfactory. Some observers even call Windows 8 “Vista Second” & mdash;— this is tantamount to Microsoft. However, this criticism does not seem fair: Vista's functionality is terrible, and Windows 8's problems stem mainly from users' unfamiliarity with the interface and the lack of attractive solutions.

There are two main reasons for the poor sales of Windows 8 PCs. First, touch-screen notebooks equipped with this new system are more expensive than non-touchscreen products. Second, the boom in tablets and smartphones has led to a weak overall PC market.

At the same time, many of Microsoft's businesses still performed well, making the company maintain a healthy development. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, as of December 31, the company's Windows division achieved revenue growth of 26% and sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses. This set of data shows that many users choose to upgrade their operating systems in existing hardware without spending unnecessary money to replace hardware.

A gamble

The overall business of Windows has maintained a strong momentum of development. In the enterprise world, more than 60% of desktops use Windows 7. As of February, Windows 7's global market share reached 45%, XP is also around 39%, but Windows 8 is only 2.6%.

On the whole, the market share of Microsoft Windows operating system is as high as 92%. However, this unification of the world may be threatened by the poor progress of Windows 8, not to mention the current moment of the "post-PC" era.

But Apple's founder Steve · Steve Jobs's remarks may not be all right —— at least not right now. PCs are far from dying, and tablets that focus on information and entertainment are far from replacing PCs in the workplace. The powerful Surface is the product that best meets the needs of the job.

Each technology ecosystem is very complex, involving a wide variety of businesses, and the most prominent products have their own distinctive features. Whether it's Apple, Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, all the mainstream ecosystems are unique. Every ecosystem wants to capture the digital life of users as much as possible, including walking, driving, entertainment, office, creation, search, shopping, storage, navigation, phone, text messaging, social, games, and more. Every aspect of life can be an integral part of the technology ecosystem, bringing billions of dollars worth of value to the business.

Windows 8 and Surface have jointly launched a gamble to create an ecosystem that delivers a unified look and feel across all major products. In order to achieve this goal, Microsoft promotes the Metro interface, but this is not only unnecessary, but will also be countered.

The key question is not whether consumers can adapt to Windows 8, but whether Microsoft has to adapt consumers to the same PC operating system as Windows Phone and Surface. Must the desktop operating system be consistent with the mobile system interface of the same enterprise? Apple is the king of the ecosystem, but it has not adopted this model.

The key issue of poor sales is not the traditional features of Windows 8, but the Metro interface. This new interface is too different. It's too different. It's too mobile, causing users to get into trouble and refuse to integrate.

Two big mistakes

The cancellation of the Start button in Windows 8 is Microsoft's first mistake. The second is to refuse to launch —&mdash in a familiar desktop environment; if you use this method, it can be more friendly, and then let the user customize it.

In Windows 8, you can enter the desktop environment through a piece of the menu in the Start menu, or you can customize the interface through a third-party application, restore the Start menu, use a similar Windows 7 interface. Although these solutions are convenient, they will make some early adopters hesitate to give up buying Windows 8 from the beginning, especially when they are not ready to use the touch screen.

Microsoft underestimated the impact of these simple usage barriers on the overall user experience. The company apparently does not want users to abandon the Metro interface. However, Microsoft's strategy is too rude, they seem to say to consumers: "We know more about the future technology than you, so we must do what we say." ”

Microsoft forces loyal users to face unfamiliar interfaces every time they turn on, and must go through a series of operations before returning to their familiar environment. To say good things are wishful thinking, saying that it is not hostile to users —— but in any case, it will cause Microsoft to suffer.

Microsoft has just started in the new situation, and the trend is still changing, like a trickle to explore the way down the mountain. Mini-tablets may become the new darling of the market, leaving enough space for the notebook to recover. Surface is still expanding into the international market, and the legendary Windows Blue may be a good opportunity to correct mistakes, fully demonstrating Microsoft's goodwill towards users.

In the past 20 years, since the missed Internet wave under the leadership of Bill & Middot; Bill Gates, Microsoft has been indignant, hoping to return to the peak and once again laugh at the rivers and lakes.