14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is clearly betting big on Windows 8 and the Surface tablet but, up until now, both products have failed to excite, even though company executives claim that everything is going according to plan.
In an interview with CBS News, Bill Gates, the man behind the Redmond-based empire, said that Microsoft’s innovation should go beyond Windows 8 and the Surface tablet, as the company needs to release many more breakthrough technologies.
“Well, he and I are two of the most self-critical people -- you can imagine. And here were a lot of amazing things that Steve's leadership got done with the company in the last year. Windows 8 is key to the future, the Surface computer. Bing, people are seeing as a better search product, Xbox,” he said.
Bill Gates admitted that Microsoft’s debut in the mobile world isn’t quite impressive, especially because the company expected to snatch leadership soon after the release of Windows Phone 8.
“But is -- is it enough? No, he and I are not satisfied that in terms of, you know, breakthrough things, that we're doing everything possible. We didn't miss cell phones, but the way that we went about it didn't allow us to get the leadership. So it's clearly a mistake,” Gates continued.
So what’s next? you may ask. Bill Gates remained tight-lipped on Microsoft’s next projects, but it’s pretty clear that the software titan has a lot higher expectations from its upcoming products.
Windows Blue, the first major makeover for Windows 8, is expected to arrive sometime this year and is very likely to bring significant improvements to an otherwise heavily criticized operating system.
Even though it won’t include a Start button, Windows Blue will comprise changes aimed at the Windows 8 user interface, including many more personalization options supposed to allow users to customize the “confusing” Start Screen.