Hey Microsoft, There’s Nothing Wrong With “Windows”
By Jared Newman | Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Microsoft laid out some lofty goals at its Worldwide Partner Conference this week. As Nilay Patel reports, Microsoft envisions a future in which all of its devices — phones, tablets, PCs and even the Xbox — draw from the same software ecosystem.
Sounds interesting. But being weirdly obsessed with tech nomenclature, I’m fixated on a side note in Patel’s report: Microsoft has considered throwing out the Windows name once all this unification is complete. It’s a longshot, and probably won’t happen as long as Steve Ballmer is in charge — he loves the name — but the option is at least on the table. I think that’s a mistake.
I’m not going to make a typical argument about brand recognition, because you could easily counter with an argument about the staleness of a brand that’s a quarter-century old. Instead, I think the Windows name makes sense because it can describe the future that Microsoft envisions.
The Windows of the last 25 years is presumably named for application panes that can be maximized, minimized or dragged around the screen. Every modern desktop OS frames applications this way.
But with the rise of smartphones and tablets, the need for windows is diminished. On these mobile devices, the almighty app reigns, taking over the screen and transforming the hardware into a book, movie player, Web browser and so on. When considering a new phone or tablet, its quality and quantity of available apps are primary considerations.
The Windows name can signify the way we consume the same apps across all these devices. If Microsoft can realize its vision, smartphones, tablets and PCs will all provide a window into your personal ecosystem. It won’t matter which screen you’re using to look inside, because your apps will always be there. That’s a more important notion than the ability to drag an app around a screen — at least as far as windows go.
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July 14th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
People hate Windows. It's a kind of torture they endure at work. Dollar-for-dollar, no successful brand is more hated. It would never have succeeded without dirty tricks, collusion, illegal business practices, and blatant plagiarism. The sooner Mcrosoft moves past it, the better chance they have of surviving the end of the PC era.
July 15th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Use it. Love it. Get your head out of your ass and understand that you don't speak for anyone but yourself.
July 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am
Obviously you haven't done your homework. Home users prefer it 9:1 over Apple for home computing. This is based on irrefutable fact of what is USED at home.
In other news; The market is ALWAYS right.
July 16th, 2011 at 5:46 am
I see Apple bots can't handle the truth.
LMAO
July 15th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
A lot of people don't even realize they're using Windows…
July 14th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
@Hamranhansenhansen: I disagree. Everyone that I know who uses Windows likes it very much now that Windows Vista is gone.
I love Windows XP. I have two desktops running XP. After years of using it, it gets out of my way better than any OS on the market.
July 14th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
There is a lot of love for Windows in the non-geek world. Even if it is underserved. Windows 7 is a very nice operating system. There are so far behind in mobile, it seem doubtful they can recover at this point.
July 15th, 2011 at 2:03 am
I completely agree that there isn't in particular wrong with brand name Windows. Well look at Macintosh for example back in late 90s it was associated with nothing more than Toys"R"Us preschooler computer yet today Mac holds more of the status computer, so that brand did just fine. So will Windows brand did very well with Windows 7 and will do fine with version 8, 9, 10 and so on. Now if Microsoft does rebrand Windows with something fresh with their obviously radically and brand setting version "8" it might get more ring out of it, as its something totally new and cool thats not associated with decade old bias of negativity towards Microsoft even though and the end of the day its still Windows inside. Also if Windows is going to unify its ecosystem as its planning to more and more people will find new interest in already nice yet not too popular services like Windows Live and Zune. So its a tricky situation really and Microsoft knows it
July 15th, 2011 at 3:54 am
@Hamranhansenhansen , you need to check the below report according to which still 80% people use windows. http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
I don't think no better OS than Windows has been developed till the date. It's the most lovable OS of laymen.
July 17th, 2011 at 8:13 am
Windows never made the transition to UNIX; they never made it secure enough for the on-line world; the UI is cr*p. It may be loved by SOME laymen who have never tried ANYTHING else. I'm a professional; I may have greater needs.
July 15th, 2011 at 6:58 am
There is no escaping. Microsoft is not going away yet – thank goodness. This is one of the two major companies that integrated PC software and brought us widescale useability. Although there have been times when we were frustrated with incompabilities, the overall advantages are great. I use systems running Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, Vista Ultimate and the latest Ubuntu version. At this point, I can say that I am happy with all of them (running on their respective "dated" hardware). My main O/S is still Vista and I have yet to have a problem after years of use. Standards and progress are always in conflict which I why there will always be people who are unhappy
July 15th, 2011 at 8:58 am
MS needs to dump the NT architecture. It is outdated and so loaded with cap now.
November 17th, 2011 at 12:20 am
wow.. it's really a great designer's view.. I think I really appreciate it.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:53 am
My main O/S is still Vista and I have yet to have a problem after years of use. Standards and progress are always in conflict which I why there will always be people who are unhappy Now if Microsoft does rebrand Windows with something fresh with their obviously radically and brand setting version "8" it might get more ring out of it, as its something totally new and cool thats not associated with decade old bias of negativity towards Microsoft even though and the end of the day its still Windows inside. Also if Windows is going to unify its ecosystem as its planning to more and more people will find new interest in already nice yet not too popular services like Windows Live and Zune. So its a tricky situation really and Microsoft knows it. Now if Microsoft does rebrand Windows with something fresh with their obviously radically and brand setting version "8" it might get more ring out of it, as its something totally new and cool thats not associated with decade old bias of negativity towards Microsoft even though and the end of the day its still Windows inside. Also if Windows is going to unify its ecosystem as its planning to more and more people will find new interest in already nice yet not too popular services like Windows Live and Zune. So its a tricky situation really and Microsoft knows it
February 8th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Great post. I like your work. I will read more your post.
February 9th, 2012 at 3:59 am
I use systems running Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, Vista Ultimate and the latest Ubuntu version. At this point, I can say that I am happy with all of them (running on their respective "dated" hardware). My main O/S is still Vista and I have yet to have a problem after years of use. Standards and progress are always in conflict which I why there will always be people who are unhappy Now if Microsoft does rebrand Windows with something fresh with their obviously radically and brand setting version "8" it might get more ring out of it, as its something totally new and cool thats not associated with decade old bias of negativity towards Microsoft even though and the end of the day its still Windows inside. Also if Windows is going to unify its ecosystem as its planning to more and more people will find new interest in already nice yet not too popular services like Windows Live and Zune.