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Microsoft to offer early look at next Windows
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gestures during the keynote address of the Build Conference in San Francisco. Microsoft plans to offer a glimpse of its vision for Windows today as Nadella seeks to redefine the company and recover from missteps with its flagship operating system.
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO
Microsoft plans to offer a glimpse of its vision for Windows this week, as its new CEO seeks to redefine the company and recover from missteps with its flagship operating system.
Although the new software won’t be formally released until next year, analysts already consider its success crucial for Microsoft and Satya Nadella, who has made mobile devices and Internet-based services priorities since becoming CEO in February.
With its tabletlike touch controls, Windows 8 had been Microsoft’s answer to slumping sales in personal computers amid a rising demand for mobile devices. But the company alienated many users by forcing radical behavioral changes. Research firm IDC even blamed Windows 8 for accelerating a decline in PC sales in the first full quarter after the system’s release in October 2012.
Microsoft has released updates that address some of the complaints, yet analytics firm Net Applications estimates that five out of six Windows users are still using something other than Windows 8.
The next major release will be the company’s chance to regain its footing and show that Microsoft can embrace mobile devices without sacrificing the traditional computing experience.
“It’s one of the most important launches that they will ever have,” said Patrick Moorhead at the research firm Moor Insights and Strategy. “It’s very important they get it right.”
Microsoft is expected to give an early look at some new features today during an event the company has billed as a discussion about “what’s next for Windows.” The company hasn’t said what it plans to call the new Windows version.
The San Francisco event is geared toward the business market. Separate sessions focused on home-computer users and others will take place in the coming months. Analysts say the sessions are part of an effort by Microsoft to gather feedback and avoid the stumbles it made with Windows 8.