Ballmer describes next Windows version as Microsoft’s biggest gamble

31st October, 2010 by adina
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Microsoft’s chief Steve Ballmer at a Gartner Symposium claimed that Windows 8 would be like a major gamble for his company. Analyst John Pescatore asked him about the next “riskiest product bet” and the answer was simply “the next release of Windows”. It is not clear if the answer referred to the importance of a successful core product or if the operating system would represent a radical break.

What is known is that the design will be a refinement of the operating system and will provide an Apple-like experience, including fast startup and automatic logout once the system hibernates, as well as a hardware button to trigger system restore. Cameras are supposed to help logging in. There will also be an ambient light sensor to support brightness auto-tuning and other settings resembling to MacBooks and iOS devices.

A large number of changes will revolve around touch. Microsoft has tried to impose Windows 7 tablets as rivals of the iPad by the end of this year, but has only little success because devices have been delayed to next year for Intel’s Oak Trail or have simply been relegated to enterprise after being found inappropriate for the home. Although Windows 7 supports multi-touch, many on-screen elements are not optimized for finger input o the absence of a hardware keyboard. It becomes clear that the operating system has been redesigned to permit more input options than pen and mouse.

Ballmer did not want to give more details about the next Windows version.


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Readers Comments

  1. fung0 says:
    November 7, 2010 at 2:37 am

    If I wanted an “Apple-like experience” I’d have bought a Mac long ago.

    Why is Ballmer alienating the 95% of the market that apparently preferred Windows, in order to chase the 5% that preferred the Mac – and always will?