Windows re-imagined Microsoft not quite
- Most radical layout of the OS considering that 1995 suggests Microsoft is extreme about catching up
- No news yet on the neighborhood availability of its own devices, the Surface and Surface Pro
MICROSOFT Corp has released the Windows eight running device, its big guess to regain its relevance in what is becoming a put up-PC international, however gave no indication of when its Surface pill laptop would roll out in Malaysia or the relaxation of the location.
“We aren't making any announcement yet at the availability here,” Microsoft Malaysia Ananth Lazarus told Digital News Asia (DNA) on the sidelines of the neighborhood release of Windows eight on the Plaza Low Yat in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 29.
The US tech massive rolled out the USA$499 Surface tablet walking on the ARM processor ultimate week in Australia, Canada, China (which include Hong Kong), France, Germany, the United Kingdom and america. Company assets indicated that even markets like Puerto Rico gets the device earlier than Malaysia. The pricier and extra company-pleasant Surface Pro tablet is expected to roll out early next year.
Microsoft’s announcement that it changed into popping out with its own hardware can also have miffed off its long-time OEM (unique gadget manufacturer) partners, so Monday’s Windows 8 release in Kuala Lumpur became all about the partner ecosystem, in contrast to in the United States wherein it had separate launch occasions for Windows eight and the Surface.
“The energy of preference is now with the customer,” stated Ananth (percent). “There is a plethora of shape-elements now to be had – if you need a bigger show, you don’t need to wait. Windows eight has been optimized for contact, but you may additionally use a stylus, a mouse or a keyboard, if that’s what you decide upon. The vital element is that you get to pick.”
He stated that 30 of the 50 partner devices introduced global would be available in Malaysia, inside the form of ultrabooks, capsules and hybrid gadgets from Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.
Ananth also touted the “work and play” proposition of the brand new OS in apparent however unspoken evaluation to Apple’s iPad. “This is the last, no-compromise personalised revel in. You don’t must select among the fun of the usage of a tablet, and the paintings you want to do on a PC. You can create as well as consume content material.”
It changed into a gentler gibe than the inexplicable one from his leader govt officer Steve Ballmer, who informed CNBC's Squawk Box, "I don't assume every person has finished a product that I see customers wanting,” ignoring the 100 million iPads Apple has sold or the momentum Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Google’s Nexus 7 were enjoying.
Microsoft does no longer offer a breakdown of man or woman market numbers, but since the consumer preview of Windows eight earlier this 12 months, there were more than 16 million preview downloads, the organisation claimed, including that it was its most examined OS to this point -- over 1.24 billion hours in truth.
In terms of apps, it turned into a case of dozens of this and lots of that: The corporation stated that the Windows Store marketplace had heaps of apps already on board, and dozens of them were locally evolved for the Malaysian marketplace.
Microsoft Malaysia is expected to preserve a separate occasion in November where its companions will unveil their apps, a agency spokesman told DNA. Already available for download are those from The Star Online, Mydin, AirAsia, DiGi and Sunway Lifestyle.
Seamless throughout devices
Windows eight is the most radical redecorate of the company’s flagship when you consider that Windows 95, and Forbes said that the Redmond, Washington-based totally corporation is arming itself with a surprising US$1.5 billion advertising finances.
However, it remains to be visible how a great deal of that price range will trickle down to Malaysia and other markets in the region, with talk of usual finances cuts as the enterprise braces itself for decreased running margins.
Earlier in October, Microsoft mentioned that net income for its financial first zone which ended Sept 30 had dropped 22% to US$four.forty seven billion in comparison to US$five.74 billion inside the corresponding length the previous yr. Revenue became down 8% to US$sixteen billion from US$17 billion the preceding yr.
The New York Times said the consequences “contemplated the bleak market for non-public computers,” including that “signs of the non-public computer hunch are everywhere. The research company IDC these days reported that PC shipments declined eight.6% globally inside the last quarter, lots worse than it had expected.”
The Malaysian PC marketplace itself registered a sharp decline of nineteen% to 893,000 devices during the second one region of this yr, consistent with IDC. At the KL release but, the gloom-and-doom of shrinking PC marketplace seemed to be of no consequence, with energy and exuberance alternatively ruling the day.
The Windows 8 demo – by way of Microsoft Malaysia leader marketing and operations officer Danny Ong (percent, left) and technology strategist Tenh Shiao Peng (p.c, right) – showed that the business enterprise at least got some parts proper: A fast and fluid Start screen paying homage to the Windows Phone platform, a Search Charm system-extensive feature that receives you to the app you want quickly, upgraded Bing search and Internet Explorer (in model 10 now).
“This isn't an app-centric however a humans-centric approach,” said Ong, including that the customization allows users to put the contacts and apps they care maximum approximately within the front-and-middle of their revel in.
Settings and apps are also seamless and preserved throughout any Windows eight tool purchasers may additionally use, with 7GB of loose Skydrive garage wherein consumer apps and settings are saved on the cloud.
The Live Tiles characteristic in Windows eight, meanwhile, presents seamless connectivity to more than one social programs, delivering up to date information at a look with out the problem of attending to multiple applications simultaneously, in line with Microsoft.
Malaysian consumers can get Windows 8 three ways: Pre-hooked up on new associate devices; as an upgrade offer for folks who buy eligible Windows 7 PCs; or as a Windows eight Pro upgrade buy.
The Windows Upgrade Offer affords clients who purchase an eligible Windows 7 PC the option to buy a downloadable improve to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of US$14.ninety nine all through a promotion length that lasts till Jan 31, 2013.
This program is available for purchasers buying new Windows 7 PCs that are preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate and consist of a matching and legitimate OEM Certificate of Authenticity.
Consumers who registered for the Windows Upgrade Offer can already download Windows eight.
Those whose gadgets do no longer qualify for the Windows Upgrade Offer may additionally prefer to improve to Windows 8 Pro through purchasing a retail-packaged product at participating stores. Windows eight Pro is available at a unique retail price of RM229 (US$69.99) for a restricted time best till Jan 31, 2013. Thereafter, it'll be available for an expected retail price of RM885 (US$289.ninety nine).
In conjunction with the launch of Windows 8, Malaysian celebrities Noh Salleh (%), better known as Noh, from the band Hujan and his spouse, R&B famous person Mizz Nina, additionally announced their collaboration with Microsoft in an internet project known as Passion8, wherein the couple use generation to engage and engage with their enthusiasts. The Passion8 Project may also be aired on 8TV over eight weeks, starting November.
Microsoft will also be conducting a nationwide roadshow to promote Windows eight and the new Windows 8 optimized gadgets.
[Disclosure: A. Asohan was formerly manager of public relations at Microsoft Malaysia.]
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