Can Windows Come Around?

Windows 10 - Say what?

It's been about a week or so that the next installment of Windows was announced. Microsoft tried to do something new here with the version number and the name indeed came as a surprise to most of us. Why name it Windows 10? Is it because the last two versions didn't do as well as Microsoft would like 'em to... so they ditched the whole thing altogether? Or is it because that Microsoft thought that we all expected it to be called Windows 9 and tried something different? It still remains a mystery.

Windows 10 Doesn't Inspire

Screenshot of Window 10's desktop with the start menu open

Windows 10

It is still very early to comment, but the Technical Preview of Windows 10, as Microsoft calls it, is not so different from the previous versions. It seems to be a 'Windows 7' version of Windows 8.1. They revived exactly what they planned to ditch. Moreover what they introduced to be *new* features, were somethings that both OS X and GNU/Linux users have been enjoying for years. Where's the glory? You waste 4 years building something that nobody likes, then you take 1 more year to revert back and add features that were already in market? Where's the innovation? Aren't they just wasting human resource and money?

While Microsoft was busy playing catch up, the market has shifted towards free upgrades. Windows can regain the market only if it is distributed for free (free as in free beer). Does Microsoft really think people will pay $300 - $400 to upgrade their systems in a world where we are all used to getting free upgrades on our mobile phones and Macs? The first question a user would ask themselves would be something like "Why the hell would I pay that amount of money to upgrade when my system works perfectly?" Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 were disastrous. If Microsoft wants to get back in the game, they should make it a free upgrade for Windows XP and up. Not only will it help Windows get back, but it will also eliminate the fragmentation and security issues now that the support for Windows XP has ended.

Via: The Next Web - The Future of Microsoft Depends on Windows Being Free

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