First of all I want to state that I do, and always have, disliked Microsoft. I dislike Windows in every way and I can’t stand any product they bring out (with the exception of Kinect, that was pretty cool). Why? Because Microsoft is a money hungry profit machine that will not innovate unless forced to do so. Just getting that out of the way first.

Windows 8. Microsoft has finally announced it’s so called tablet friendly OS with its ultra hyped “Metro UI”. But here is the thing: when I put on a tuxedo I am still an idiot! Dressing up crap is still crap! OK, so I admit the UI itself is good-looking and it could find itself at home on a tablet in terms of aesthetics only, but Windows 8 is going to be a major desktop OS for which Metro is terrible. The interface is clearly designed for a tablet! Why are they passing it off as a desktop deal?

But it’s when we get to the tablet side of things we really see it crashing and burning. It brings the desktop, a concept built for PCs, to a post-PC device. Big mistake. A PC is supposed to be a digital office, with a desk. We sprawl documents over our desks, which is embodied by the ability to place documents and open applications in various overlapping locations on the screen. But let me ask you this: how many times have you spread five or six documents over your lap on the subway all in equal view? Answer: never. It is ridiculous that they want to turn a workstation orientated design into a highly portable device.

But then there is the file-system. I am a hardcore geek and I love my file-system, however my mother and every other fringe tech user hates them. They find them baffling and complicated and hate having to look for files and open them in the right place. Which is why Smartphones don’t have them, and neither should any Post-PC device. Enter Windows 8: a monument to backward thinking. Yes, users love trawling through directory trees with a crazy system generated naming schemes searching for their pictures while they are on the move!

Why Apple is different?

Sure, Apple is making OS X more similar to iOS. However, do you know the difference between iOS and Windows Mobile OS? One has succeeded and one has failed drastically. Can you guess which one succeeded? That’s right! iOS has! Also Mac OS X isn’t iOS, it’s still it’s own operating system. You know why? Because desktops and laptops are meant to have a different OS than tablets. They are two incompatible devices.

Microsoft, you are also too late in the tablet game, you won’t be able to gain enough market share to keep you afloat. The phone business left you a long time ago. So if you try to abandon the desktop and try for Post-PC devices, you WILL fail. Keep doing what you are doing, I love to see you fail, Microsoft!

In conclusion, Windows 8 will crash and burn. It will stink at being a desktop OS and it will stink at being a tablet OS. Microsoft has made a really bad choice. This will be a perfect opportunity for either Apple or (God forbid) Linux to take over. No one will like Windows 8. They could go back to 7, but you will still see Microsoft market share go down, perhaps a significant amount.

Word of advice to you Microsoft, that is if you care at all, don’t put a less than 1% market share OS and replace it with a >80% market share OS. Shame on you Microsoft, shame on you.

Apple, a little advice to you, fight with all your might to bring Macs into every household. This is THE opportunity.

Thanks for reading,

Joe