14 DAY TRIAL // Over the past year or so, many have showed increased skepticism regarding the success of Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 8, which steps away from the traditional platform releases that we’ve seen from the Redmond-based software giant before.
Windows 8 indeed represents a new approach to user experience that Microsoft is proposing to millions of people out there, and some suggest that it might not be fully baked, and that the issues inside it will hurt Microsoft.
It’s not only the new UI that makes some wonder whether the platform is indeed ready for every-day use, but various other minor issues that have been found with it.
According to Paul Otellini, Intel chief executive officer, there are plenty of these to take care of, yet Microsoft is still pushing the platform to an October 26th release.
Windows 8 is now ready for the market, Intel’s CEO believes, suggesting that Microsoft should take its time and improve it, a recent report on Bloomberg notes.
The Redmond-based company, on the other hand, is confident on the success of its new product, and even says that it did all the necessary testing to ensure that the OS is ready for launch.
“With over 16 million active preview participants, Windows 8 is the most tested, reviewed and ready operating system in Microsoft’s history. We’re looking forward to making Windows 8 available to the world on October 26th,” Microsoft said, ZDNet reports.
Of course, this does not mean that it is flawless. In fact, it would be a surprise if it were, especially considering other platform releases out there, both from Microsoft and from other software makers. Matias Duarte, Android design leader, has recently admitted that the OS needed a lot of polish.
Those who have used the new platform for the past months have certainly spotted improvements in the user experience in the latest releases when compared to the initial Developer Preview flavor.
They can also confirm that the OS can perform very well when it comes to every-day use, especially if the RTM flavor is the one installed on their machines.
But issues are still there, which should be normal for a brand new operating system, as ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley notes. This also means that Microsoft will start delivering updates for it shortly, and that we might see a Service Pack released in the not-too-distant future as well.
Previous rumors already suggested that Microsoft has started work on the next Windows release, and that it was meant to be a Windows 8 upgrade, but not Windows 9. Basically, it would come as a Service Pack, even if not called that way.
Even if Windows 8 still has issues, we’re sure that those of you who already planned to upgrade will pursue that plan, and that those who already hated it will have one more reason to do so. Let us know what your plans for the new OS are in the comment section below.