24
Business, Financial & Professional
IT and Media: Windows 8 – Is it too late to the party? Microsoft have already leaked a
launch date for the latest version of their hugely successful Windows operating system, October of this year. Given that the well regarded Windows 7 was only released in October 2009, Microsoft might be seen to be unduly hasty; after all, Windows XP stuck around for six years. But here are two statistics that might explain the urgency: over 90% of the personal computers in the world run on Windows whereas less than 6% of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, use a Windows operating system. More importantly, sales of PCs and laptops are declining whereas sales of smartphones and tablets have increased dramatically. So, what is Windows 8 doing to bridge
the gap between PC and mobile device? For starters, Microsoft seems to have decided to leave smartphones to the dominant player, Android. Windows 8 will operate on PCs, laptops and tablets and will be compatible with a mouse or a touch screen. There will also be an ARM chip designed for use with it; ARM is the main supplier of chips for mobile devices. The appearance will be more familiar to those who normally use a tablet. Rather than opening a desktop user interface from which they launch a Start menu, users will access a Start screen which is populated by colourful tiles which Microsoft describes as "Metro-style” apps. Standard apps will be a mail server, Internet Explorer, contacts etc. but there will also be a Windows Store, Microsoft’s answer to the App Store, where users can buy apps from Microsoft as well as third party developers. One of the criticisms of earlier
versions of Windows, particularly Vista, was the amount of memory and processing power they used. Windows 8 is more efficient and delivers benefits of increased battery life and quicker operating speeds. Smaller batteries support the development of the next generation ultra slim lightweight laptops.
The big question is whether Windows
8 will be good enough to halt Microsoft’s slow decline in the face of the meteoric rise of Apple and Google. If we’re talking about smartphones, Microsoft have been wise not to join in the battle; ultimately, that is a war that can only have one victor and I’m betting it will be Android. Here’s something else to consider; PCs have become a tool for working, from using an accounts spreadsheet to writing a homework essay, whereas a tablet is really a leisure tool used for games, facebook or streaming videos. The tablet version of Windows 8 features two telling innovations; one is a split qwerty keyboard with a number pad in the middle, the other is a version of Microsoft Office as one of the default apps. This means a tablet with Windows 8 as the operating system can be used equally for work or play – bridging the divide between PC and mobile device. For that reason, if for no other, it deserves to succeed. Graham Iek IT Consultant
PC Problems? Slow
Unresponsive No sound
Printer Problems
Your Computer needs ME! COMPUTER SOLUTIONS
Repairs & Upgrades Wired / Wireless Broadband Setup
Virus removal. Connection issues. Custom Built PC`s. PC tuition.
Free phone advice.
Laptop repairs. Data recovery. Collection and return service or drop off. No call out charge.
No job too small !!! Phone Charles now
01422 344468 or 07707 449936
www.computerrepairshalifax.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124