While there's no doubt that Microsoft has some concerns and challenges it needs to deal with (e.g. the need to really focus in on markets such as India), the past few weeks gave off some positive vibes from the company.
For one thing, Windows and Windows Phone are truly on the same page. In 2012 the two couldn't be further apart. Yes, the two platforms shared the same base kernel, but they were quite different and the lack of cooperation between the Windows and Windows Phone team didn't help bridge the situation. You could really tell that the two suffered from different visions about how they wanted users to interact with Microsoft devices and services, and things really weren't looking better.
This time around though (thanks to the re-org), we're on the path of seeing alignment. If you look closely you'll find that the phone and tablet experiences have been merged into a singular 'mobile' solution. The goal it seems is to make the groundwork for phone and tablet essentially the same, but allow for device and formfactor-specific considerations. In tandem, there is the desktop for intensive productivity, and not only will it retain its classic elements (or regain them), but those elements will be strengthened, e.g. the injection of new Store apps via windowing support, live tiles in the Start Menu, back-end Bing and Skype integration, etc.
With this approach Microsoft has not only put its foot into the present "post-PC" world, but it has effectively built a "PC-plus" solution by integrating suitable elements of their mobile solutions into the desktop. Brilliant. As people hopefully begin using the Store apps on the desktop, not only will they be more enticed to consider a Windows Phone and/or Tablet, but they'll also benefit from having their data both stored *and* presented in the best manner possible across devices.
Let me be honest. In 2012 I could not have expected Microsoft to even work towards this idea, let alone be on the verge of actually achieving it, which is the case given that updates such as Universal Apps are now real and can only improve/grow, and that the new Start Menu looks like it has a shot at being a pre-Threshold update.
Execution is going to be key, but if Windows 9 decisively succeeds in (1) getting desktop Windows users from Window 7 and 8.x to upgrade and (2) use the Store apps, then Microsoft would be en-route to carving out a healthy piece for itself in the phone and tablet market. There will be many users who will seek to extend their Store apps to other devices and form-factors.
Now combine that with Microsoft's renewed focus on dominating in the area of fundamentals, i.e. programming languages and development tools. If Microsoft can succeed to get a lot of iOS and Android developers to use C# and Visual Studio, it will once again have lots of people following its work on development. In other words, once again many if not most developers would follow the growth and development of Microsoft languages and tools, and in their eyes, not only would Microsoft's work position them better in the iOS and Android realms, but it will also give them an edge by opening up the third reservoir (Windows), a reservoir that most of their competitors don't have access to. It's like geo-politics, while many states might have access to oil and gas, very few can depend on space (Windows).
In my opinion, if Microsoft really wants to nail it, it should come up with a competitor platform to Android Wear. Not only should it be compatible with Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox, but it should also allow developers to hook into Android and iOS. This could be Microsoft's differentiating spin, i.e. that it's wearable technology is both powerful and truly open. In fact, Microsoft could go a few steps further and perhaps also offer the idea of a standalone smartwatch, one that depends on Azure to manage and present one's information (SPOT Mk2).
For one thing, Windows and Windows Phone are truly on the same page. In 2012 the two couldn't be further apart. Yes, the two platforms shared the same base kernel, but they were quite different and the lack of cooperation between the Windows and Windows Phone team didn't help bridge the situation. You could really tell that the two suffered from different visions about how they wanted users to interact with Microsoft devices and services, and things really weren't looking better.
This time around though (thanks to the re-org), we're on the path of seeing alignment. If you look closely you'll find that the phone and tablet experiences have been merged into a singular 'mobile' solution. The goal it seems is to make the groundwork for phone and tablet essentially the same, but allow for device and formfactor-specific considerations. In tandem, there is the desktop for intensive productivity, and not only will it retain its classic elements (or regain them), but those elements will be strengthened, e.g. the injection of new Store apps via windowing support, live tiles in the Start Menu, back-end Bing and Skype integration, etc.
With this approach Microsoft has not only put its foot into the present "post-PC" world, but it has effectively built a "PC-plus" solution by integrating suitable elements of their mobile solutions into the desktop. Brilliant. As people hopefully begin using the Store apps on the desktop, not only will they be more enticed to consider a Windows Phone and/or Tablet, but they'll also benefit from having their data both stored *and* presented in the best manner possible across devices.
Let me be honest. In 2012 I could not have expected Microsoft to even work towards this idea, let alone be on the verge of actually achieving it, which is the case given that updates such as Universal Apps are now real and can only improve/grow, and that the new Start Menu looks like it has a shot at being a pre-Threshold update.
Execution is going to be key, but if Windows 9 decisively succeeds in (1) getting desktop Windows users from Window 7 and 8.x to upgrade and (2) use the Store apps, then Microsoft would be en-route to carving out a healthy piece for itself in the phone and tablet market. There will be many users who will seek to extend their Store apps to other devices and form-factors.
Now combine that with Microsoft's renewed focus on dominating in the area of fundamentals, i.e. programming languages and development tools. If Microsoft can succeed to get a lot of iOS and Android developers to use C# and Visual Studio, it will once again have lots of people following its work on development. In other words, once again many if not most developers would follow the growth and development of Microsoft languages and tools, and in their eyes, not only would Microsoft's work position them better in the iOS and Android realms, but it will also give them an edge by opening up the third reservoir (Windows), a reservoir that most of their competitors don't have access to. It's like geo-politics, while many states might have access to oil and gas, very few can depend on space (Windows).
In my opinion, if Microsoft really wants to nail it, it should come up with a competitor platform to Android Wear. Not only should it be compatible with Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox, but it should also allow developers to hook into Android and iOS. This could be Microsoft's differentiating spin, i.e. that it's wearable technology is both powerful and truly open. In fact, Microsoft could go a few steps further and perhaps also offer the idea of a standalone smartwatch, one that depends on Azure to manage and present one's information (SPOT Mk2).