Author: Cassandra Chin
Title: Will Microsoft’s new operating system affect how businesses operate?
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Excerpt: Will Microsoft’s new operating system affect how businesses operate?
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Keywords/Tags: Microsoft, operating system, overair, developers
Microsoft’s new operating system looks to address concerns of its predecessor with the launch of Windows Blue (8.1).
Though the experience on Windows 8 was initially confusing, Darren Kitamura, a senior web developer with OverAir, noted the shortcuts make navigating the system easier.
“There is also a free program you can download that creates a “start” button and mimics the actions of the start button in Windows 7 which makes the system more tolerable,” he said. “On the upside I have found Windows 8 slightly faster, and more responsive with better native support for devices and multi-monitor setups.”
At the moment, Kitamura runs Windows 8 on his main desktop PC and Windows 7 on his laptop.
He works on developing NFC (near field communications) on both machines but has yet to preview Windows Blue.
Windows 8 received mixed reviews by operators, with its emphasis on touchscreen capabilities and apps, when it initially launched last October.
Kitamura believes much of the grief Microsoft suffered was due to the removal of the “start” button and “metro” interface.
“I can totally understand where Microsoft is coming from,” he said. “Consider an Android phone or an iPhone where all your applications are laid out for you which is exactly how Windows 8 does it. This would work perfectly for touchscreen devices but for a lot of people who don’t have that, it isn’t as good for a mouse and keyboard.”
A preview of Windows Blue during a Microsoft Build conference in San Francisco revealed the “start” menu has returned to a degree, as well as better apps and upgrades in search features.
“Part of the reason for Microsoft to do this was to create a unified interface across their devices,” explained Kitamura. “Consider iOS and OSX with how they are distinctly different—if you took a WindowsRT tablet and then your PC which runs Windows 8 it is a basically seamless transition to the experience.”
The unification of their systems, though aimed at a segregated market, should consider desktop users instead of removing the items they loved, he added.
Kitamura is looking forward to experimenting with Windows 8.1, but isn’t sure if the changes will affect his work.
He does believe the changes should assist with day-to-day operations for work.
