When you have been an industry leader for as long as Microsoft has, everyone pays attention whenever you have something to say. And when you release a new version of your flagship product, you automatically become the biggest story in town.
Since Microsoft’s Windows operating system (OS) hit version three, it has been an industry force which impact on consumers is rivaled only by the abundance of technical criticism leveled at the product range.
The criticism, however, has not stopped the computer giant from securing a comfortable position in the global technology industry, since around 90 per cent of the world’s computers run on its OS. To date Microsoft’s major competitor in as far as OS technology is concerned remains to be itself.
The worldwide launch of Windows 7, successor to the much-reviled Vista, on Thursday promises – as many of its predecessors have – a more stable version of Windows. Steven Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice-President of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Division of Microsoft, emphasised that after beta testing Windows 7 to eight million users from over 200 countries early this year, the company has “listened to” and addressed their users’ feedback.
“Hopefully we’ve delivered what [the users] have asked for in as far as providing a system that will enable them to do more things more easily with their computers,” Guggenheimer said.
Simplifying PC use
The Windows 7 catchphrase “PC, simplified” seeks to assure users smooth sailing with plug-and-play devices and application software, trimming the over-zealous fat of Vista in favour of performance and usability.
As demonstrated by Ryan Calafato, marketing director of Microsoft, during Windows 7’s launch in Gitex, the latest OS is capable of starting, shutting down and resuming from standby mode faster than earlier Windows versions. Search and indexing are likewise quicker.
It helps users to “interact” more with their PCs through support for multi-touch gestures, handwriting and voice. The new OS also allows televisions, radios and digital photo frames to “talk to each other”, making it easier to play music, watch videos and display photos. And 7 also promises a dramatic lessening of backwards-compatibility issues, tempting more fence-sitters to take the upgrade plunge.
Microsoft generating business
Guggenheimer admitted that Windows 7 is not the IT industry’s sole saviour during the credit crunch. He believes, however, that innovation and the determination to drive innovation could spur growth in the global IT sector, eventually helping lift the global economy.
“As an industry, we’re very focused on innovation. One of the greatest things about the technology industry is that it is heavily-steeped in innovation and the work that we collectively do, literally impacts society,” he said.
Recent developments in the IT field have also seen a convergence of technology, according to Guggenheimer.
“The technology inside [smart devices] does converge. The memory chips, software, bandwidth that we use converge. We see more and more devices sharing technology, which gives us lots of opportunities,” he said.
Microsoft has never had far to look for opportunities. Its massive economies generate a burgeoning flow of business prospects with each new iteration of its OS. But the question of whether Microsoft has managed to finally release a “shatter-proof” Windows? Sceptics will doubtless keep their eyebrows raised.
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New powerful Windows 7 from Microsoft
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