Category Archives: Computers
Windows 8 And The Consumerization of PCs
Windows is going to go through another refresh later this year. Windows 8 will bring the “Metro” interface that Microsoft has used on their Windows Phone OS (which I really liked using) and lately their Xbox to the PC. Some have decried this as a mistake. Largely, this is the same reaction that happens whenever a change happens on Facebook, or anything else in life – we react negatively to the unfamiliar, even if it is better. I’m going to examine why I believe this is the right move for Microsoft.
![Windows 8 [Metro-Design]](http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6032/6383367973_6bf43bb08d_z.jpg)
The PC market has gone from completely nerd dominated to widely adopted by the mainstream. No longer something the common person feels intimidated to use, computers are how many of us get our news, entertainment and communicate. As such, more and more of what is done on a computer is not what is traditionally “computing” but more like using an appliance or consumer device: browsing the web, playing music, etc.
As this change happened, the focus of the market for computers has shifted from businesses and their IT departments to consumers. More and more attention is paid to enticing the home user to purchase a new piece of hardware or software. This is a problem for Microsoft because their strength has always been enterprise customers – from their Office software to how their Windows software could interface with all kinds of interchangeable hardware.
Steve Jobs has been quoted as saying that while some people need trucks, most of us can get by with just a car. Sure, some people need to haul lumber or tow something – the real world equivalent of photoshop or programming but most of us only need a “computing device” in a limited capacity, to consume. Browsing the web, listening to music, etc. We are just driving around. Apple realizes this and thinks that most users can get by with an iPad instead of a full fledged Mac computer.
Microsoft lost a lot of home consumers to Apple when people made the switch for the easier to use systems that Apple makes. Microsoft realizes this, and is now in the process of making its PC software more consumer friendly. Bigger brighter icons, touch friendly interface hiding all the ugliness. Plus, their new Windows 8 operating system will be able to be used on both Tablets and PCs, avoiding the issue of developers having to develop a tablet app and a desktop app – like they have to with iOS and Mac OS.
But what about those truck drivers who actually need to use a Windows device to do something? Well, Microsoft is handling this much better than they did in the past. Instead of forking their systems for Home and Business users (like they did with 95 and NT), they treat the Metro Interface as a “skin” on top of traditional Windows. You can exit out of Metro and get to the desktop if you need a more familiar Windows look and feel. This is similar to how Windows users could always get to the DOS terminal or Mac users can pull up a Unix Command Line. So, they avoid alienating users who wouldn’t upgrade for fear of not liking the new system and being stuck.
Nerds and Computing
half the shit you call computing—running custom ROMs, reinstalling OSes, fucking with network settings—is like a chef sharpening his knives over and over and calling that cooking. Real computing is the actual stuff you do—cutting videos, editing photos, writing. Or at least it should be. Not the shit people do to make all of that work.
-Gizmodo, random thoughts on technology
Thats actually kind of profound. If you really stop and think about it. Most nerds/computer guys talk specs and tweaking this and fiddling with that. But that is not the end game. The point of computers and technology isn’t to spec out something. It’s to create a tool that better enables us to work or play. (warning you will roll your eyes after reading this next part) but that is why Apple is winning in the consumer race. They make products that people can use to make a movie about their summer vacation that isn’t terrible to sit through, and even easier to make. They hide the “work” that windows makes you wade through in order to just enjoy using your computer. Its about UX, not the specs.
HP giving up on PCs and Consumer Devices
HP has announced they are looking to sell off their PC and mobile devices components of their company. This is big news.
HP arguably is the PC leader. They were PCs through the 1990s. However, lately the PC market is too commoditized. You have to compete on prices vs specs. Since everyone runs windows, its hard to differentiate yourself. Consumers just pick the cheapest PC with the power they want. In this race to the bottom price war, profits are too thin to be desired. (apple gets out of this because they own the software OS too, so they can focus on the overall experience, and don’t have to compete with other Mac OS manufacturers)
Bigger picture, this shows you there is little innovation left in hardware. Most of the innovation will come from the software side, because the profits aren’t in hardware to motivate sales.
A few thoughts:
- WebOS
HP bought Palm last year. They had the WebOS phone operating system. And they are hardware experts. They could have been the PC version of Apple, controlling both the software and hardware side of a phone and tablet system. But they are choosing to give that up. Interesting. Is android and open systems the only way to compete? Is there no room for a second proprietary system?
- Printers
By giving up PCs and mobile devices, all that they have left is software and printers. HP is going to be a printer company in most consumers minds in 10 years. Is that working for Lexmark? Canon?
- IBM
What they are really doing is getting away from hardware, and into Business optimization and software. This is exactly what IBM did in the 1990s. Now, no one can tell you what IBM does, but they are far more successful and profitable after letting lenovo take their PC manufacturing side. Will HP profit in the same manner?
Windows 8
I know. You are just getting used to Windows 7. But here is a quick peek at what Windows 8 will look like. It is a remarkable leap. Arguably as big as the change from Windows 3 to Windows 95. You can see heavy influence from the much praise UI design of Windows Phone 7.
Chromebook
Google announced their plan to launch their Chromebook line this summer. What’s a chromebook?
I was lucky enough to receive one of their beta test pilot Cr-48 notebooks, so I’ve been playing around with one for a few months now. Basically, its like having a notebook, but all that is on it is a web browser. That sounds extremely limiting at first. But think about how much you do outside of the browser? Outside of maybe word processing and music on iTunes, I bet 95% of what you do in on the web. And Google is trying to address the other two via Google Docs, and the newly launched Google Music.
And the benefits are quite appealing. Viruses are almost nonexistent. Startup is practically instant. And updates get pushed to the device.
If you want to learn more, watch the video below:
If you have questions about Chrome OS, leave a comment below.
The Future of Mac
By paying attention to the tech world for the last few years, you can see Apple has fully devoted their attention to the mobile consumer device market. They transitioned from their halo device – the iPod, to the iPhone and its big cousin the iPad. All of these have been huge successes.
The question is – what does this mean for Apple’s computer line?
I think one could see the problem coming when Apple announced it was dropping “computers” from its name back in 2007 coinciding with the launch of the iPhone. Sure, there are also probably some trademark issues – Apple wanted to be sure it could protect its IP beyond just computers. However, I think Apple could see the writing on the wall that their computers, despite being more popular than ever were still not breaking beyond 7-8% of the global market. Computers were not their future.
Instead they are becoming a consumer electronics company. Think Sony, who also sells computers alongside other electronics. But, instead of going from music devices to computers, Apple is going from computers to electronics devices.
Yes, Apple still produces quality computers. However, their recent refreshes have been simple spec updates to the same old designs. Their OS has arguably been equaled by Windows 7- if not surpassed. (See here, here, here, here, here)
However, Apple has a HUGE success with their iPod/iPhone/iPad line of products. And the business model for these devices skews better for Apple. Apple has always been a favorite of creative professionals. Those making art – movies, music, pictures, etc. Creatives want to be able to sell their works. And the “i” line of devices is perfect for that. I’ve already argued how the iPad is a “consumption” device not a creative device. These “i” devices are the best medium for creatives to sell their art to the masses.
Add to this the fact that Apple renamed its “i” devices operating system to “iOS” and you can see they have in mind bigger plans for this than just some mobile device platform.
No, Apple will not stop making computers. After all, to publish iOS apps, you need to use OSX. However, I predict OSX and mac computers will devolve into developer tools. Think of them like workstations to make other software, not for general consumer. The iOS will be for the general user – the consumer – to use the products made on OSX. This lines up perfectly with Jobs’s own PCs are trucks and his iOS devices are cars. Trucks used to make things, cars for going around to purchase and consume them.
Is this good for us as a society? Does dumbing down computers to make them easier to use, while taking away our ability to be truly free to create have negative consequences?
Pondering the iPad
By now you must have heard about the iPad. (if not see here)
Missing Features
The most common reaction, warranted or not, is “Oh, its a big iPod touch.” And honestly, yeah it pretty much is. It runs the iPhone/iPod touch Operating System. Along with that comes all the normal restrictions, including no multitasking, and weird notifications.
But, I predict this will change. The OS version is 3.2 according to reviews. The iPhone has had this OS since June. It is getting a bit old. Apple last year announced the 3.0 version of the OS on March 17th 2009.
The iPad is not going to be on sale until 60 days from the announcement date of January 27th. Right at the end of March. See the connection?
I predict that Apple will announce the 4.0 software in March, right before the iPad goes on sale. It might not be available at launch, but you will know it is coming. It will probably come later in June when the next iPhone comes around. Again, because the upgraded iPhone will probably have many of the same specs as the iPad (1Ghz processor, better screen resolution).
The 4.0 OS will have multitasking and better notifications. It just has to. How else would you be working on the new word processor app on the iPad and then paste in a spreadsheet from the spreadsheet app?
Who is going to use this?
Again, people are wondering – who is going to use this? Its clunkier than a phone. It has less functionality than a full computer. My prediction? Older people.
Hear me out- people like my Dad. He doesnt want to deal with drivers. He doesn’t want to mess with complex configurations and installations. All he wants to do is go online, maybe send an email, post to a college football message board, check scores and news. And this would be super simple for him to use.
The only missing feature? Printer functionality. This will prevent him from making the leap to using this as his sole computer. If printer functionality is added, this would be perfect for the “I’m not a computer person” in your life.
Google Chrome OS Unveiled
Google has unveiled the OS they have been working on. As expected, it is basically just a browser that allows you to quickly access web apps – Google’s bread and butter.
It seems like a good idea for many people. How much of what you do really needs to be done on your computer? If you are like most you do email, web browsing, watch youtube, go on facebook, post to a blog maybe. For all that you really don’t need a full blown computer.
My concern however, is that for very specific instances this OS is just not enough. What about people who want to edit the videos they upload to youtube? No imovie or windows movie maker here (and no equivalent). Photoshop? nope. Even if these apps became available online somehow, would you really want to wait while you uploaded raw video over the internet? think of how much RAM photoshop uses. Think thats going to translate well going over your cable modem? Want to play a DVD – no media drives.
Better still – How would you sync an iPod with this? There is no online version of itunes.
Here’s the kicker. Nothing is saved to your computer. It’s all in “the cloud”, so you can just go to another computer and not have to worry about transferring your docs and files. But what if you don’t have internet access? Tough luck. Guess you won’t be using your computer.
Still very interesting. Microsoft and Apple should be a bit concerned. A big positive? You don’t run any native application locally, so less concern about security and viruses.
Students Get Windows 7 for $30
Windows 7, the new version coming out at the end of the year is releasing October 22nd. It is widely regarded as the version of Windows that actually works. It should erase the dismal failure of Vista, and keep PCs on par with Apple machines. Microsoft is also including XP Compatability Mode – so your old software will still work.
The upgrade fee for Windows Home Premium (the version most users will buy) is $120. The upgrade fee for Professional (the version most schools and businesses require) is $200.
However, Microsoft is encouraging student adoption by offering 7 upgrades for $30! All you need to authorize your student download of Windows 7 is a .edu email address. Many of my friends are either in grad school or law school, or an alum with a still active .edu email address. That is quite the savings.
The hidden things they don’t tell you – You can get the Professional Version for $30 as well. On the order page, just click the “I need to connect to my school’s domain” link. They offer you Pro for the same $30. Also, you can order a cd if you don’t feel comfortable downloading 7 for an extra $13.
So, again: if you have a .edu email address. Go to: http://www.win741.com/ and register, and you can get the new Windows 7 Operating System for $30!
From the business perspective, this is very smart for Microsoft to do.
- They are losing a lot of market share to students. More and more students are buying Macs. By offering a very cheap upgrade to 7, maybe fewer people will feel the need to switch once they see how easy the new windows is to use.
- By targeting students, they build their young customer base. Younger people are critical because after someone becomes very comfortable using a certain OS they are less likely to switch. If you get enough people using Windows young, they are less likely to want to learn how to use a mac.
