14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8 was supposed to bring an avalanche of new products to the market from the very beginning, as Microsoft hoped to see customers around the world fully embrace the operating system as fast possible.
That didn’t happen, however, and Windows 8’s market share has barely reached 5 percent last month, according to statistics provided by researcher Net Applications.
Since Windows 8.1 is just around the corner, Microsoft expects many more OEMs to adopt the operating system and, as a result, to bring more touch-capable devices to the market in the coming months.
Microsoft admitted that the Windows 8 and 8.1 OEM ecosystem was still 18 months behind its set target, but a company executives guarantees that partners will catch up really fast.
“[The] OEM ecosystem is still 18 months behind where we want to be but is catching up fast,” Janet Gibbons, Microsoft UK and Ireland director of partner strategy and programmes, was quoted as saying by The Channel.
At the same time, Gibbons said that Apple’s iPad is currently among the top devices out there because it was one of the first to hit the market, but being late to the party doesn’t necessarily mean disappointing sales.
"In many ways as the expansion of touch devices happens, the iPad device will kind of feel somewhat marginalised, because it is what it is and does what it does, but it’s been a bit leapfrogged by the possibilities of other devices on the Windows platform,” she said.
Microsoft’s Surface tablet has until now failed to excite, even though the company claims that everything goes according to the plan.
The Softies are now getting ready to debut updates for both the Surface RT and the Pro, with voices familiar with the matter claiming that an 8-inch model running Windows 8.1 is also prepared to hit the market.