WIndows 8 Preview: is their such thing as too user friendly?

Microsoft has around a 90% install base for people that use computers so they can basically set the trend. I feel that this new OS is too simple because I believe they are trying to take back some of the market share they lost from Apple. I believe they are trying to capitalize on the young generation and look hip to them. In my opinion younger generation like the simplicity Apple has to offer, and they do like stuff that is stylistic. This simple OS can help attract people that aren’t used to computers and like simplicity because if they can attract this market it can help increase their install base. This is all fine and dandy but I believe that Microsoft is dumbing down the product too much I believe that most users are not going to be that impressed because we don’t like stuff dumb down too much. The thing that the core audience wants is to innovate the OS and increase the performance as long as you increase performance, and add other stuff to make OS be more efficient is what we want. If Microsoft starts taking the Apple approach on their products I believe they are dumbing it down too much. The thing that makes Microsoft attractive too most is that its not to dumb down like Apple OS and you have more freedom to do what you want and not that many limitations, and the familiarity we have with the product.

Microsoft has to stop dumbing down the product like calling programs “apps” I think that it is silly to call programs apps. The reason for that is because in today’s tech world most people associate the word “apps” with programs that people run on their smartphone and tablets. Even though you can go back to Windows 7 setting with the OS I believe that they should be putting more time and effort to making the OS run more smoothly, adding better security, and less crashing. This OS is best suited for Microsoft’s Windows phone, and future tablets. The simplicity of this OS would really benefit tablets because tablets are like mini computers. If they can effectively make Windows 8 look and run this smooth on tablets and smartphones. For tablets it can make a lot of people jump to Windows based tablets and leave Apple’s Ipads and Android based tablets. The simplicity of Windows 8 on tablets looks really great because if the experience is similar to Windows Phone mango, I will be really impressed. I am really interested to see how the ecosystem will work like how smooth and effective having Microsoft products work during Windows 8. I hope that Microsoft help builds ecosystem like how they are implementing skydrive on Microsoft based products. It will be interesting to see how they integrate Windows 8 to Xbox, Windows Phone, tablets, and other Window products.

In my opinion Windows 8 is too simple for PC users because even though LiveTiles are neat I do not want to use it while I am on my pc because I do not need my PC to be dumbed down. Windows 8 will be really great for tablets and Window phones because LiveTiles are simple and more suited for those devices. Overall, I think it is somewhat a mistake for Microsoft to dumb down Windows 8, but I do think they are doing the right thing because they can increase the install base, and take bake some users from Apple.

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Report: Microsoft is planning to open a retail store in Toronto by the end of 2012

Report: Microsoft is planning to open a retail store in Toronto by the end of 2012

Microsoft is apparently planning to open a “Microsoft Store” in Toronto soon. New reports from The Verge have Microsoft entering our fine land for the first time, directly going to compete with Apple’s 22 retail locations. The store will be located somewhere in Toronto – could be in the Eaton Centre or Yorkdale Mall – with timing of a grand opening set to happen before the holiday period.

As to what the Microsoft Store will sell – all Microsoft products. So software, keyboards, mice, Xbox 360 and Windows Phone handsets. Taking a look at the Microsoft Store site it shows that there are currently 16 locations across the United States, but Kevin Turner, Microsoft’s COO, stated last year that they plan to open 75 new Microsoft Stores within the next 3-years.

Source: Mobilesyrup

My Take

This is great news for Microsoft enthusiasts in the Toronto area, and as well other Canadians too. People getting to experience Microsoft ecosystem hands on can help more people to adapt to other Microsoft products not name Windows. People can get to experience the latest technology from Microsoft like trying out the Kinect for the Xbox 360 if they haven’t yet, trying out Windows 8 when it releases, getting their hands on a Windows phone, and trying out other Microsoft products. This can really help Canadians get familiar with Microsoft’s window phone 8 products (most likely to be released by end of 2012. Many Canadians do not know about Windows Mobile and are probably not aware that it stacks up with Android and IOS. Most people that get to try Windows phone 7 get hooked with product and are impressed by the fluidity of the os and the ease of use. This is also great news for people that are looking for a one stop place to go for Microsoft products because they will be able to tryout latest Xbox 360 games and periphals, windows phone, window tablets, Windows 8, and other Microsoft products. Hopefully Microsoft can start expanding their Microsoft stores across Canada because it can really put pressure on Apple stores. If Microsoft can create a greater atmosphere than the one that is offered at Apple stores it can help people get into their ecosystem, and put Microsoft back in the game mainstream wise. Hopefully by the end of 2014 they can have many Microsoft stores in many popular Canadian areas like; Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Greater Toronto Area, etc.

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