Windows 8 May Become Useful

Remember the oldie "Heard It Through The Grapevine"?  When it comes to industry secrets and Windows, the Grapevine can often be the Gospel.  And today, that's cause for celebration!  Seems Microsoft has made some announcements.

First, back in October, they said Windows 7 would no longer be sold after October 2014.  A bit over a month later, they renounced that statement, labeling it a mistake.  Huh?  How does a press officer individually come up with kill dates?  And how does it take over 5 weeks to find it? Strike one.

Strike two, the Grapevine.  "Sources" say there are plans to branch the current Windows 8 behemoth into separate avenues:  one along current lines, one more like Windows 7, and another that will also support 32-bit applications without the need for a virtual XP machine. (Think Monty Python, light from above, choir. Ahhhh!)  Where was this kind of decision making back when Windows 8 was being developed?  Dumbing down, least common denominator, that's what happened instead.  Just who thought this approach would be a good idea for the public at large? This rumor mill versioning sounds far more appealing, and more importantly, workable.  Versioning should have been at the top of the list in Microsoft's pursuit of Apple.

Apple hit the bullseye with their approach to the stationary vs mobile situation.  There was no mass attack on the computing world, Apple just made sure their apps would co-exist and the OS versions were branched from the start.  OSX for stationary devices, iOS for the phones and pads.  Forward thinking, just what we have come to expect from them.  In the process, Apple reinvented the technology landscape.  Done deal.

Then there's Microsoft, thinking they will come from behind in the mobile arena to upset the Apple cart and Dancing Days Are Here Again.  Not so much.  Microsoft succeeded in creating record breaking upgrade sales, but they also created a record decline in PC sales.  The dog-and- pony-show folk will point to the fact that people bought Microsoft tablets instead.  Hel-lo!!!  If the average Joe looks at the marketing and thinks his PC will work just like a tablet and look just like a tablet, why not pocket the extra cash and just buy a tablet?  Cannibalizing PC sales for the sake of a unity that no one wants is questionable at best.   The tech world goes on, with or without Windows 8.  Microsoft has maybe figured that out.

If there's any validity to the rumor mill, Microsoft is in the process of reinventing this mistake and labeling it a marketing ploy.  Coke comes to mind, underestimating the public and trying to put a good face on the shambles.  Only takes one letter to turn a face to a farce, though.