Microsoft's just released the Release Preview of Windows 8 yesterday. With Windows 8 Microsoft is trying to 'Kill two birds with one stone' i.e. its targeting both desktop PCs and Tablets. Can Microsoft succeed in this ambitious plan, we are certainly not sure. Here are some of the points that suggest Why it will be an utter failure bigger then Vista why:-
Metro UI/UX-
First and foremost thing users will notice when they boot up to Windows 8 will be a new interface. Gone are the traditional Windows UI elements like Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons, the gorgeous Aero glass effects, now everything is replaced with a gaudy colors that remind you of classical Windows 1x era. Instead of icons you will be greeted with big in your face tiles for each app that might remind you of Tetris or Lego building blocks or remember AOL 1996. The Start screen is your new desktop, Yes you read it right now you default desktop will be Start Menu with its ugly looking blocks changing their state randomly.
The Metro apps look pretty basic on a big screen and rarely utilize more then 50% of your screen real-estate, especially if your monitor is above 22''.
Metro apps can't be used in windowed mode, which really confuses us why Microsoft still calls it Windows 8 instead of 'Window 8'.
According to Metro design guidelines, most apps will hide all menus and settings from the user. You need to guess where the setting is hidden.
Metro is absolute mess when you use Keyboard and Mouse. Its almost unusable, although all these limitations are solved when you have a tablet (not a touch PC) and things looks and feels a lot better and refined.
Fortunately, You still have classic Windows mode, which has now reduced to a just another app in Metro black hole now called 'Legacy Mode', but Microsoft is desperate to make it even more worse. To begin with, there is no Start Button orb, instead you have an invisible hot corner to go back to Metro Start Screen.
The Shutdown/Restart options are hidden inside, an already hidden Charm bar.
And, the switch between Metro to Classic desktop is pretty jarring. It looks like someone forcefully stitched them together. This Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde approach does look ugly and might confuse average users increasing their frustrations.
Microsoft have even made it clear that Aero Glass won't be a part of final release of Windows 8 instead, a bland looking opaque white flat interface is designed (which Microsoft claims looks premium), for further details read here.
This is what Microsoft claims to be your new desktop when you turn on Windows 8 for first time now call Start Screen, but they one hidden fact is, after installing a few applications and programs this will turn even more hideous, and real My Hyde part of Windows 8 will show up.
This is the same desktop after few applications and programs have been installed. But wait this is just the beginning, try installing Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.. and witness the disaster yourself.
But wait till you see you All Programs
To conclude, Metro looks like ten-step back from current Aero Glass (Which Microsoft now claims looks cheesy) or for record even Aqua of MAC OS and Gnome Shell, KDE, Unity of Linux. Are you listening Mr. Steven Sinofsky, its your so are god sent Metro that looks cheesy.
Metro also looks very confusing and will be very difficult for person with non technical background. Here is an example look at this video of a average guy named 'Joe' trying to use Windows 8.
The man in the video ends by saying "Are they trying to drive me to Mac?".
And even the testers with technical background are not happy, go on Google you will find hundreds of guides to tweak Metro to make it a little more useful, some software already released to disable from the Windows 8. Microsoft should understand that no one is buying Metro Ui with their abysmal sales of Windows Phone where even older Windows Mobile leads in marketshare. Now forcing users the same crap with Xbox and Windows would only alienate more users.
To conclude Metro is really, the worst possible UI/UX Microsoft or for record any company could have come up with. Not only designers but, whoever approved its implementation as default UI for Windows, should be dumped into space to prevent another tragedy.
Just for fun, look at Google's suggestions on Windows 8.
x86 or Windows RT (Windows on ARM or WOA)-
If Metro itself isn't enough for the fall of Windows 8, then Microsoft has stuck another nail in its coffin, users can actually have six different types of Windows tablets and that's just in software front, we are not even talking about hardware here.
On x86 (Intel and AMD) you get two versions 32-bit/64-bit versions and both of which will be sub-divided into standard and pro versions. That makes upto four possible types of Windows 8 on x86 platform alone. Considering, Windows 8 Enterprise won't be installed on tablets.
Now Windows RT or WOA tablets too will come in two flavors, standard and pro.
Most people will buy tablets on recommendations from salespersons, who will are not really skilled, they might offer x86 tablet to a consumer who really doesn't need a legacy apps and will also need to tackle the malware and viruses that have annoyed Windows users all these years.
On the other hand, a someone who needs to run Office and other leagcy apps might accidentely get Windows RT, just by getting confused for free version of Metro version of Office with that of real Office.
More confusion will occur when consumers with non-technical background, have to decide which version to get. “Windows 32-bit vs. Windows 64-bit” debate that had been confusing consumers since Windows XP. The problem with the x86 vs. ARM debate is that there’s going to be a unification down the line and the two platforms will always have a gulf between them. And, everyone accused Android for fragmentation, at-least even a person with least technical knowledge can buy Android by just getting the model with latest version of Android.
One OS to rule them all (Jack of all trades, master of none)-
Microsoft has made another approach in this edition of Windows. Its available for tablets, laptops, desktops, servers and Microsoft is even preparing a version of Windows 8 for mobiles code-names Apollo. Microsoft should know that every platform is different with different needs. Microsoft is trying to get everything under one-roof. Apple gets kudos for developing iOS for mobile devices and keeping MAC OS X for desktops. They might be merging some features between the two OSes as of lately but still they are pretty different serving their intended audience very well. But when you look at Windows 8, you see an OS that works very well on touch based devices but fails pathetically with mouse and keyboard. Microsoft could have easily maintained Metro for touch based devices only and let the desktop users have classic UI Windows 8.
I can just end this point with one of the quotes from Apple current CEO, Mr. Tim Cook "You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those aren't going to be pleasing to the user"
Two Internet Explorers (IE Metro or IE Classic)-
Another Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde feature of Windows 8 is that, it actually has two versions of IE10. One that runs on on legacy mode and one that runs on Metro mode but still use the same rendering engine. Further, increasing to the confusion of users. On positive note, this limitation is only applicable to x86 version and not on Windows RT.
Two Control Panels-
If the above points were not enough, now here is another to add to confusion of its users. Windows 8 will have two versions of Control Panel like IE 10. Just like IE 10, there is a Metro and Legacy version. Also, just like IE 10, this limitation applies only to x86 version of Windows 8.
Enterprise reaction-
I already know what many enterprise customers think about Windows 8. They look at that that new user interface, and all that touch stuff and see having to throw a lot of dollars at training employees to make sense of it all. And this at a time when dollars are tight.
Another problem that those I’ve talked to in enterprise have with Windows 8 is that they can’t see a compelling for touch to be in the OS as they can’t see a need for it outside of specific (and quite limited) scenarios.
Enterprise customers aren’t going to be replacing traditional keyboard and mouse systems with touch systems in a hurry given the cost of doing so, and that might mean they stick with Windows 7 and see what happens with Windows 9.
Metro UI/UX-
First and foremost thing users will notice when they boot up to Windows 8 will be a new interface. Gone are the traditional Windows UI elements like Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons, the gorgeous Aero glass effects, now everything is replaced with a gaudy colors that remind you of classical Windows 1x era. Instead of icons you will be greeted with big in your face tiles for each app that might remind you of Tetris or Lego building blocks or remember AOL 1996. The Start screen is your new desktop, Yes you read it right now you default desktop will be Start Menu with its ugly looking blocks changing their state randomly.
The Metro apps look pretty basic on a big screen and rarely utilize more then 50% of your screen real-estate, especially if your monitor is above 22''.
Metro apps can't be used in windowed mode, which really confuses us why Microsoft still calls it Windows 8 instead of 'Window 8'.
According to Metro design guidelines, most apps will hide all menus and settings from the user. You need to guess where the setting is hidden.
Metro is absolute mess when you use Keyboard and Mouse. Its almost unusable, although all these limitations are solved when you have a tablet (not a touch PC) and things looks and feels a lot better and refined.
Fortunately, You still have classic Windows mode, which has now reduced to a just another app in Metro black hole now called 'Legacy Mode', but Microsoft is desperate to make it even more worse. To begin with, there is no Start Button orb, instead you have an invisible hot corner to go back to Metro Start Screen.
The Shutdown/Restart options are hidden inside, an already hidden Charm bar.
And, the switch between Metro to Classic desktop is pretty jarring. It looks like someone forcefully stitched them together. This Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde approach does look ugly and might confuse average users increasing their frustrations.
Microsoft have even made it clear that Aero Glass won't be a part of final release of Windows 8 instead, a bland looking opaque white flat interface is designed (which Microsoft claims looks premium), for further details read here.
This is what Microsoft claims to be your new desktop when you turn on Windows 8 for first time now call Start Screen, but they one hidden fact is, after installing a few applications and programs this will turn even more hideous, and real My Hyde part of Windows 8 will show up.
This is the same desktop after few applications and programs have been installed. But wait this is just the beginning, try installing Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.. and witness the disaster yourself.
But wait till you see you All Programs
To conclude, Metro looks like ten-step back from current Aero Glass (Which Microsoft now claims looks cheesy) or for record even Aqua of MAC OS and Gnome Shell, KDE, Unity of Linux. Are you listening Mr. Steven Sinofsky, its your so are god sent Metro that looks cheesy.
Metro also looks very confusing and will be very difficult for person with non technical background. Here is an example look at this video of a average guy named 'Joe' trying to use Windows 8.
The man in the video ends by saying "Are they trying to drive me to Mac?".
And even the testers with technical background are not happy, go on Google you will find hundreds of guides to tweak Metro to make it a little more useful, some software already released to disable from the Windows 8. Microsoft should understand that no one is buying Metro Ui with their abysmal sales of Windows Phone where even older Windows Mobile leads in marketshare. Now forcing users the same crap with Xbox and Windows would only alienate more users.
To conclude Metro is really, the worst possible UI/UX Microsoft or for record any company could have come up with. Not only designers but, whoever approved its implementation as default UI for Windows, should be dumped into space to prevent another tragedy.
Just for fun, look at Google's suggestions on Windows 8.
x86 or Windows RT (Windows on ARM or WOA)-
If Metro itself isn't enough for the fall of Windows 8, then Microsoft has stuck another nail in its coffin, users can actually have six different types of Windows tablets and that's just in software front, we are not even talking about hardware here.
On x86 (Intel and AMD) you get two versions 32-bit/64-bit versions and both of which will be sub-divided into standard and pro versions. That makes upto four possible types of Windows 8 on x86 platform alone. Considering, Windows 8 Enterprise won't be installed on tablets.
Now Windows RT or WOA tablets too will come in two flavors, standard and pro.
Most people will buy tablets on recommendations from salespersons, who will are not really skilled, they might offer x86 tablet to a consumer who really doesn't need a legacy apps and will also need to tackle the malware and viruses that have annoyed Windows users all these years.
On the other hand, a someone who needs to run Office and other leagcy apps might accidentely get Windows RT, just by getting confused for free version of Metro version of Office with that of real Office.
More confusion will occur when consumers with non-technical background, have to decide which version to get. “Windows 32-bit vs. Windows 64-bit” debate that had been confusing consumers since Windows XP. The problem with the x86 vs. ARM debate is that there’s going to be a unification down the line and the two platforms will always have a gulf between them. And, everyone accused Android for fragmentation, at-least even a person with least technical knowledge can buy Android by just getting the model with latest version of Android.
One OS to rule them all (Jack of all trades, master of none)-
Microsoft has made another approach in this edition of Windows. Its available for tablets, laptops, desktops, servers and Microsoft is even preparing a version of Windows 8 for mobiles code-names Apollo. Microsoft should know that every platform is different with different needs. Microsoft is trying to get everything under one-roof. Apple gets kudos for developing iOS for mobile devices and keeping MAC OS X for desktops. They might be merging some features between the two OSes as of lately but still they are pretty different serving their intended audience very well. But when you look at Windows 8, you see an OS that works very well on touch based devices but fails pathetically with mouse and keyboard. Microsoft could have easily maintained Metro for touch based devices only and let the desktop users have classic UI Windows 8.
I can just end this point with one of the quotes from Apple current CEO, Mr. Tim Cook "You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those aren't going to be pleasing to the user"
Two Internet Explorers (IE Metro or IE Classic)-
Another Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde feature of Windows 8 is that, it actually has two versions of IE10. One that runs on on legacy mode and one that runs on Metro mode but still use the same rendering engine. Further, increasing to the confusion of users. On positive note, this limitation is only applicable to x86 version and not on Windows RT.
Two Control Panels-
If the above points were not enough, now here is another to add to confusion of its users. Windows 8 will have two versions of Control Panel like IE 10. Just like IE 10, there is a Metro and Legacy version. Also, just like IE 10, this limitation applies only to x86 version of Windows 8.
Enterprise reaction-
I already know what many enterprise customers think about Windows 8. They look at that that new user interface, and all that touch stuff and see having to throw a lot of dollars at training employees to make sense of it all. And this at a time when dollars are tight.
Another problem that those I’ve talked to in enterprise have with Windows 8 is that they can’t see a compelling for touch to be in the OS as they can’t see a need for it outside of specific (and quite limited) scenarios.
Enterprise customers aren’t going to be replacing traditional keyboard and mouse systems with touch systems in a hurry given the cost of doing so, and that might mean they stick with Windows 7 and see what happens with Windows 9.
Another minor niggle is the new Task Manager is more useful then previous version, but in looks department it looks very ugly.
Gartner has predicted Windows 8 will be an utter failure on tablets.
Gartner has predicted Windows 8 will be an utter failure on tablets.
Now, I can finish this article on positive note. I have mentioned all negative points of Windows 8, but Microsoft has somehow managed to improve some features. Example- Integrating Hyper-V, making performance tweaks to make Windows 8 more snappier, The new lock screen looks pretty and is useful to get basic notifications, the picture passwords is cool nifty feature but not usable for security point of view.
I am certain Microsoft won't change anything in current version of Windows 8. But, I hope they can get learn from their mistakes and makes different version for tablets and PCs. And, my personal favorite Aero Glass makes a comeback. Right now, Windows 7 is more then enough to satisfy my computing needs for few years. If Microsoft continues this path even in Windows 9, then I might shift to Linux or who knows maybe MAC OS.
Get our regular updates in Google Currents for Android or iOS platforms click here or scan QR code below.
Get our regular updates in Google Currents for Android or iOS platforms click here or scan QR code below.
Comments