Microsoft giving up on Windows 8, moving on to Windows 9 instead.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/08/08/windows-8-updates/
Small wonder when 8 is actually *losing* market share to 7.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...share-down-slightly-as-windows-7-climbs-again
Microsoft backing down even more on 'no start menu' and killing charms bar/start screen/etc. (good riddance):
http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-win...-add-virtual-desktops-drop-charms-7000032401/
Good riddance to Metro's major (dys)functions. Utterly worthless on the desktop.
I've (notoriously here on FG) long stood as a Windows 8 user who doesn't mind the OS. But I have to agree that the OS launch was botched, the Sinfosky led team arrogant and perhaps overestimated the Windows userbase as a whole (sure there's power users who "get it" but there's also people who are computer newbs or really really hate change and get frustrated easily by it) the marketing poor (and what good marketing arrived far too late) and the app story lacking. Here's what should have happened IMO:
A proper pre boot tutorial (or what they've done in 8.1 with the tip overlays that go away once you successfully perform the action..like open the charms bar): When you change an entire usage paradigm that people have muddled through for decades suddenly and without gradually rolling it out across versions...it's going to be a shock to the system to people who only care about Windows when their at the computer store 8 years after their pc dies. The silent movie BS they do doesn't cut the mustard, most don't pay attention and it's so lacking in verbosity that it's MORE confusing to the uninitiated. They should have emphasized that one can search from the Start screen simply by typing. That's something that a lot of people STILL don't know due to Microsoft not discussing it in any "average consumer" marketing material. They added a magnifying glass that opens a search box instead in 8.1...whatever works, at least it lets people know they can search for what they need.
They should have gotten serious about courting app makers right away. Microsoft, you're not exactly berift of cash. I'd have done whatever it took to try and get app parity. I've used several excellent Windows 8 Modern apps and they're some of my favorites. But a lot of the big name stuff isn't there and what IS there is sometimes a step back in quality and features. While I love my Venue 8 pro and use it in a mix of desktop and Modern apps modes, more apps would be nice.
The marketing was a total disaster. Sure they got their act together with the "Honestly" ads that demonstrated the advantages of the 2 in 1 devices, touchscreen laptops, and tablets that Windows 8 runs best on, but by then it was too little too late. Word was out that anything running Windows 8 would pretty much stab your dog, kidnap your kid and key your car sooo yeah.
Their requirements were too lax for OEMs. IMO, any laptop or All In One sans touchscreen should have remained on Windows 7. The Windows 8 design just screams "touch me" but its frustrating for people to not be able to easily touch it and have to use the mouse. I got acclimated to the mouse commands and Windows 8's trackpad gestures to invoke app bars, the multitasking view, and charms but not everyone can do that. I walked into Wal-Mart (a fairly popular place for many to buy a computer here) and in their computer section were 2 20 inch AIO's sans touchscreen. Not a good idea when the OS is so touch centric. These systems were so cheap that they likely didnt come with the trackpads that make a Windows 8 non-touch system easier to use...leading to a potentially frustrating game of "find the hot corner with my mouse" for buyers.
The easier Start screen customization starting in 8.1 should have been there FROM day 1. Ditto the option to have the desktop wallpaper become the Start Screen background. That should have been turned on by default. While my PC is not running 8.1 (it's running Server 2012 that I got through DreamSpark...it doesn't update in place to the server equivalent of 8.1 for obvious reasons...) my tablet is and the option is a nice effect and I can see how it's far less jarring.
The power button should have been on the Start Screen from Day 1. Yes, most people just close the lid on their laptop and hit the physical power button on their tablet, but again...there's a sizable number of Windows users (whether it's grizzled power users who simply don't believe in Sleep or average joes (in tech support..i'd hear this all the time) who just want their computer totally off when not in use) who want a computer that turns off from within Windows, physical power button be dammed. It should have been there...they HAD to know that this would be the first thing people complain about...how could they miss this. I can only blame arrogance and not truly knowing the breadth of their userbase.
While some could argue that things like "boot to desktop" and "when clicking Start, go directly to All Apps view" should have been options from the get go, I could understand why they didn't want to do that: When you're trying to start a new, forward-looking, application and usage paradigm, the last thing you want to do is undermine your own new ecosystem. It IS a good thing they added this though with 8.1...it shows they're listening to feedback. Majority rules, even if it means standing still instead of moving forward (see Xbox One nightmare launch....although that could equally be blamed on the bumbling Xbox One head who was likely any PR rep's nightmare, saying all the wrong things to key demographics).
From the tech support side of things....the average 8 user's lack of navigation skills (not their fault...it's Microsoft's full stop for creating such a piss poor OOBE) made troubleshooting a nightmare, especially if they barely made it through using their 12 year old Windows XP pc that they replaced and now needed help getting e-mail off of. (that was a 30 minute long call...)
As mentioned above, majority rules, and as much as I wish Microsoft would sometimes "grow a pair" instead of being wishy-washy seemingly all the time, if most of your customers only want vanilla....not vanilla with sprinkles, or vanilla with chocolate ribbons...but just plain vanilla...then you gotta give em what they want.
What they should do next: I agree that Microsoft needs to provide Windows 9 for free to every Windows 8 customer. It's rumored to be happening but it NEEDS to happen. Too many are frustrated (I had many a customer call into *insert green and white hued telecom company here* DSL support and mention in passing how they begged for a Windows 7 or XP replacement pc) and there are too many low cost options for them to turn to that would honestly cover 80% of their use case today. The number of people who were setting up/using their DSL service with only a set of iPads/Android tablets, their Phone, or their Chromebook was kinda shocking..it's a significant amount and it'll only grow. Give them Windows 9 and say...idk 10 bucks of Windows Marketplace credit so they can start generating interest in the store. Partner with Best Buy, HHGregg, Staples, etc. to offer free 9 upgrades done by their staff. That would ease the fears of people not keen on installing a OS upgrade on their own.
They should provide 9 for very low cost to Windows 7 customers as well...these buyers will admittedly likely need convincing, but if they want people on the latest platform, they gotta court them somehow.
What they shouldnt do: Dismantle the Start Screen and leave people only with the Start menu. I find the Start menu woefully dated feeling and like using the entire screen to list apps in All Apps view. I enjoy the ambient information that Live Tiles provide on my Start screen when I boot up my PC or Tablet, and especially on "mini tablet" form factors, I predict the start menu could be a bit tricky to use unlike the Start Screen and the All Apps screen.
Give those of use crazies who like 8 as is they option to retain the Start screen and I'd be a happy camper.
EDIT:
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/start-menu-will-replace-start-screen-threshold
So it's not an option but instead resizable...interesting...