The release of Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system, has been hailed by some as a breakthrough in computer use.
But others warn about system’s limitations and predict that the software giant could lose out to competitors with the new system.
Oct. 26 marked the world premiere of one of the most anticipated upgrades since the iPhone 5 release. It took some of the world’s best developers three years to create Windows 8. Following the popular trend of touch-screen gadgets, Microsoft bet on improving user experience of devices with sensor screens. Yet this time, the new operating system can be used on desktops, laptops, tablets and even home theater PCs.
“The user experience (has) no compromise – (Windows 8 can be used with a) mouse, keyboard and touch,” says Don Grantham, president of Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe. “And obviously that differentiates our product against competitors’ products.”
Other upgrades include shell and user interface, which replaces the traditional desktop with a new start screen showing a network of constantly updated names of applications. It also introduces the Windows store, where applications can be bought or updated.
To make the new software safer and increase the options available, multiple technologies have been added, such as USB 3.0, cloud computing, low-power ARM architecture, as well as additional security features, like malware filtering, built-in antivirus software, etc.
However, when it comes to usability, the added options can be confusing. Oleksiy Tanchyk, head of i.ua internet portal, purchased Windows 8 on its release date. “I’m using Windows since 3.1 version and have to say that version 8 is the most ambiguous,” Tanchyk says.
Viktor Teslenko, an independent IT consultant, agrees. “There are improvements in the Windows 8 as well as some controversial changes,” Teslenko says.
The international reception has been mixed. The biggest resentment was caused by confusion over Windows 8’s “duality.” The new software presents two types of interfaces, with one designed the new way for touch screen devices and a second running older version features. This means that there are two sets of one program, located on two different interfaces.
“There are two versions of Internet Explorer browser. One that works the old way and another one for touch interface. This confuses,” says Teslenko.
“I had come across the new Skype that you have to download from the applications store, which is primarily made for tablets and navigation by touch. But for those who want to use the old Skype interface, as it turns out, a separate version exists. But it can only be downloaded from the official website, since there is none in the applications store,” agrees Tanchyk.
In an attempt to focus on sensor touch features, regular PCs inevitably felt the lack of the developer’s attention. After all, many computers do not have touch screens. “For tablet computers this is great software, but not for regular computers, which are still in the majority,” notes Teslenko.
Tanchyk from i.ua had a similar experience. “It feels very strongly that the interface was designed for tablets and using gestures. So that when you work on the desktop computer, without a sensor screen or at least touchpad, it gets uncomfortable,” Tanchyk says.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Grantham uses Windows 8 on his laptop. “There were some observations about some things that could be different and improved, I would argue that that’s the same of any of our competitors as well, frankly,” Grantham said.
Yet with around 90 percent of personal computers running on Windows in Ukraine, many have updated their operation system together with the roughly four million people who bought Windows 8 during just three days after international release.
Windows 8 sales were assisted by a discounted price of $40 for an update from previous versions, and just $15 for computers bought in June or later.
While intellectual property rights problem in Ukraine hits some records with a piracy rate of more than 80 percent, Microsoft slowly but surely is making some progress, with sales surging 25 percent last year.
Consumers will decide whether Windows 8 becomes another successful operating system, or falls flat when faced with rivals Android and Apple’s iOS, trendsetters of the emerging touch-screen market. But the success of older Windows versions is likely to sustain Microsoft’s near future.
“Judging from previous year’s experience – the release of Vista and Millennium Edition operating systems, which were unsuccessful – it didn’t really affect those 90 percent, because people would stay at the previous version, as it used to be with Windows XP,” says Teslenko. “So far Windows remains the most successful office and game platform.”
Kyiv Post staff writer Maryna Irkliyenko can be reached at [email protected].
