Windows 8 : Developer Version - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Give it up to Microsoft for having the confidence to put out a Pre-Beta version of their next Operating System, Windows 8. I mean who remembers ME or for that matter Vista? But with all the new competition in the Operating System market space, Microsoft knows it needs to step it up. While Microsoft may not be losing too much market share in the desktop arena, it's practically non-existent in the mobile arena.

So Windows 8, estimated to ship in Late 2012, shows us Microsoft is going after that mobile market. Several new features are geared toward the mobile user, including a whole new interface called the Metro UI, pictured below. Also, a new authentication method that allows users to use their finger on their screen to sketch a pattern rather than typing a password. There are several other new features, but I really want to focus on the whole mobile aspect of this new release. Did I mention that the estimated ship date is Late 2012? Seems like Microsoft is really late to the game.

It's estimated that around 65 million tablet style devices will be sold in 2011, that's up from just under 20 million in 2010, with Apple's market share being 53% & Android around 25% and Microsoft not even showing up.

So back to the new Windows 8 operating system and my thoughts. Because it's a pre-beta release I'm not going to comment on what works and doesn't work, but what I want to comment on is the idea that the 92% of the worlds desktops that Microsoft controls really want or need a new way to use their system. I can't imagine desktop users wanting to reach out to their monitors to click on something or log in using their finger. I know how I am when people smudge my screen.

I have no problem with Microsoft wanting to enter the mobile, tablet market and I think they should. It's estimated that by 2015, there will be 350 million tablets sold, but that Apple & Android will have 75% of the market and Microsoft 10%, so everything they do to capture more of that market is going to help them.

So the good is this, I think Windows 8 & the Metro UI will be a great mobile platform. The bad is I don't think Windows 8 Metro UI will be good for the office worker and the ugly, did I mention the estimated ship date is late 2012?