With all the hue and cry around the launch of Windows 8 software, it was expected that Microsoft would be on cloud nine. With 40 million licenses of the software already sold since its launch on October 26, the start still looks shaky for Windows 8 and the device it has been installed in. CNET and New York Times have reported sliding figures for Windows 8 and the PCs and tablets it has been installed in. Similar claims have been made by NPD – 21 percent less sales between October 21 and November 17, as compared to the sales during the same period. So what went wrong with Microsoft this time?
1. High cost of upgrades
Nowadays, people have more than one machine in possession, running on Windows operating system. Would that be fair for such users to upgrade their machines, costing $40 for each machine? Most of the users having MacBook and PC with Windows OS would prefer to upgrade their Apple machine. Why? Simply because Apple allows the users to upgrade at least five of its machines which have the user’s iTunes account.
2. Overpriced Tablets
It was generally expected that the price of Windows 8 tablet, the Surface Pro would definitely be pretty high. But the price, when introduced was beyond their imagination – the starting price was $899 without a keyboard, which would cost another hundred bucks. With no extraordinary features in the Windows 8 tablet, I wonder why people wouldn’t buy an ultrabook, which offer touch-screen and a longer battery life in almost the same price.
3. Touch-screen or non touch-screen?
CNET has been recommending its readers to buy a Windows 8 notebook with a touch screen. The laptop gurus at CNET have compared number of laptops with each other to come at the conclusion that people should buy a Windows 8 notebook, which embodies a touch screen. But why do you think the tech gurus are suggesting Windows 8 notebook? It’s mostly because of the tile-based Metro interface. However, the wise thing is to let the dust settle before you make any purchases this year.
4. Failures to attract developers
According to an IDC survey, published in New York Times, 33 percent of the developers showed interest in writing applications for Windows 8 tablets and 21 percent agreed to write for Windows 7 for Phone. There was a huge difference in responses IDC received for the Apple gadgets. IDC survey revealed that 85 percent of developers were interested in writing programs for iPhone, including 83 percent for iPad. Similarly, 76 percent agreed to write for Android phones, including 66 percent for Android tablets. In the study carried out by IDC, several developers gave their opinions that those mobile platforms which fail to attract 50% of developers would be going down the line.
5. Gathering more users through marketing
Like every other huge company, Microsoft would carry out huge advertising campaigns and spend millions of dollars on them, regardless what result they produce. During the launch of Windows 8, the attendees in the ceremony were expecting a Surface tablet for each one of them; but the journalists and tech analysts were disappointed to see a walkthrough introduction of the new operating system. At the same time, Samsung was conducting shows and doing hundreds of press reviews for the press to try out their new Galaxy phones – S III and Note II. The same approach was adopted by Google for its Nexus tablets, Apple did that for its iPod and Amazon for Kindle.
6. No classy phones for Windows 8
Every operating system has its star to boast about. Apple’s energies are centered on one phone, the iPhone which is the highlight of its brand. Although Android has different models under its umbrella, but Samsung Galaxy S III can be called its true star. But Windows has yet failed to impress users with an exceptional phone with Windows 8 software. Its Nokia Lumia 920 was expected to outshine other smartphone, but it couldn’t deliver any killer features. Moreover, Microsoft has not come up with anti-spyware customized for the Windows user to counter the threat of cell phone spyware.
7. Waiting for new Xbox
Microsoft has been extremely successful in drawing huge crowds of all ages and walk of life with their brand, Xbox. But the company failed to produce an update on the brand. CNET tech gurus have argued that expanding on their Xbox brand, their new phone should have been the xPhone.
Author Bio: James Clark has been playing with his words and spinning out one informative piece after another on Computer and Internet monitoring Software along with keyloggers for a while now. His work is about all things technology related, especially when it comes to pcs.
