Microsoft's Windows 10 tablet mode is sub-par, and that's hurting its productivity advantage, leisure computing endeavors and Surface Andromeda hopes.
In 2016, Microsoft achieved OneCore, a unified platform kernel designed to provide a cohesive Windows experience across form factors. From the desktop contexts of Surface Laptop, Surface Studio or Surface Pro (in laptop mode), to augmented reality with HoloLens to the tablet modes of Surface Pro and Surface Go Microsoft is striving to make Windows 10 one OS for all. Conceptually the idea is great.
The execution, however, falls short due to limited developer support, a weak app ecosystem and an underdeveloped touch user interface which all leads to a less than ideal tablet experience. Windows 10 with millions of legacy desktop apps and multiple input modalities is unmatched for productivity. Still, Apple, Google, and Samsung boast superior tablet experiences and more robust app ecosystems. And their quests to make their productivity options more competitive is ever so slowly narrowing Microsoft's entrenched lead.
Ironically, this path to challenging Microsoft's productivity forte was paved by strong touch and ever-evolving tablet experiences. Furthermore, Samsung's Infinity Flex Display that expands a smartphone to a 7.3-inch tablet emphasizes an evolving touch experience that is allowing rivals to progress in a hybrid phone-tablet device category. This accomplishment, also bolstered by a strong tablet UI and ecosystem, beats Microsoft's long-rumored and somewhat similar Surface Andromeda project to market.
An evolved touch and tablet experience has proven critical to Microsoft's rivals advancing their productivity computing strategies as well as bringing ambitious new form factors to market. Microsoft needs to fix its Windows 10 Tablet Mode before it's too late.
Full story from the WindowsCentral blog...
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