It has been a year since Microsoft released the beta of its latest operating system for computers and tablets. A few months later, on October 26, 2012, it presented the final version of Windows 8 . The reception has not been as expected, especially when compared with the success of its predecessor, Windows 7 . It is true that the new operative has entered the market at a turbulent time, when the PC industry is being shaken by the rise of tablets. However, the setback is due to a single failure, but to a series of strategic errors . The company is trying to correct, at least part, with the new update of Windows 8.1, whose previous versionIt has been available since the end of June, but it had to be patched a week later; the debut of the final version is scheduled for August. What went wrong? In Zdnet they take a tour of the main mistakes made by Microsoft .
1) Disappearance of the traditional desktop
It is one of the aspects most criticized by users, which in the end has been corrected with the free Windows 8.1 update. The ability to go directly to the desktop instead of the home screen was hidden within the menu of the previous version, but disappeared from the final.
2) Lack of hardware at launch
Manufacturers did not have their cutting-edge equipment ready by the end of October 2012, in time for the release of Windows 8. It took weeks and even months for exciting first designs, such as convertible computers, to hit the shelves. Not even Microsoft itself did the same with the Surface Pro, which appeared three later.
3) Tactile beyond tablets
Early adopters don't understand the benefits of the Windows 8 touch interface on laptops and all-in-ones. The company has not been able to explain the utilities of the touch screen as a complement to the keyboard and mouse or touchpad, for example, when browsing the web. Instead, he has focused on drawing with his fingers.
4) Wrong bet on large tablets
Windows 8 maintains the idea that it is a tablet is like a PC but without a keyboard, which is used in landscape format and with a 16: 9 panoramic aspect. The lack of support for small tablets will be fixed with Windows 8.1.
5) mediocre Microsoft apps
The first batch of applications for Windows 8 left much to be desired. They are the cases of Mail and the rudimentary photo editor of the house.
6) Delay of applications developed by third parties
If your own people had trouble designing decent software, there is little to blame for third parties. For example, the official Twitter application did not come out until March, and the one promised by Facebook is not yet available. In the catalog there is still nothing from Google, except the search engine.
7) Preloaded useless programs
Many users complain that Windows 8 computers come preloaded with unnecessary third-party programs that hamper performance. And the default associations of the files are assigned to paid software.
8) Bad brand decisions
The Windows 8 name works fine. Instead, Windows RT is not a good choice, because the new product is confused with WinRT, an API package. Also unfortunate is the impromptu decision to ditch Metro to refer to Windows 8's redesign language.
9) inappropriate marketing
The initial advertising campaign has not been able to convey a clear and consistent message about the benefits of Windows 8.
10) Bewildered consumers
Microsoft thought the learning curve for Windows 8 would be shorter. This is probably why he decided to dispense with a hotline for new users.