Despite the fact that it feels like Windows 7 came out only yesterday, details about Microsoft’s plans for Windows 8 were recently leaked. The details not only seem legitimate with Microsoft branding across the images but are set to logically progress the operating system in a natural and relevant direction.
Microsoft seem to have taken a page out of Apple’s book, with a slide devoted to precisely what appeals to consumers about them. Apple’s products look good, work well, and encourage brand loyalty through those two factors. They’ve also included an Apple-esque design for a new PC, with all the hardware behind the screen.
They also have a few plans for the new features included. One of the most exciting is the ability to recognise users based on their appearance; Microsoft assumes that most Windows 8 users will have webcams by 2012, otherwise they would not be able to access the functionality. When you’re at your computer, it will automatically recognise your presence and log you in. Their goal is to make it easier to switch between user accounts; the accounts may also carry the ability to be attached to the cloud and seamlessly transfer information from the PC to the internet. You’ll also have the ability to carry your user account with you as you go, so you’ll be able to save your settings and take them with you to public or friends’ computers.
The company also plans to focus on security and speed, goals that Microsoft has been aiming towards for a number of years. They’re aiming to keep the speedy start up and shut down that Windows 7 boasts and make it even faster if possible. They’re going to assume every computer is connected to the internet and thus provide a robust combined solution of online services and software to protect users and give them access to all the programs they might need in a variety of different ways. This provides the potential for a Windows app store, which also seems to be part of their plans.
Microsoft similarly has specific goals to target both computing enthusiasts and ordinary users; at the moment it seems that evangelists (their term) target alternating operating systems, like Linux or Mac, to recommend to all of their friends. They’d like to catapult Windows 8 into that sphere of must-have programs.
We think that Microsoft will have some trouble with this goal; too many users have very good long term memory, and Windows is moreover the default, less-than-cool choice simply because of its market dominance. Regardless, their improvements look reasonably cool, and we can hardly doubt that we’ll still be using Windows 8 when it comes out, as will most London IT support.
What do you think about the proposed improvements to Microsoft Windows?