Bengaluru: Microsoft Corp.’s
launch of its first new operating system in almost three years,
designed to work across laptops, desktop and smartphones, won mostly
positive reviews for its user-friendly and feature-packed interface.
The launch was seen critical for the company, particularly after the
poor response to Windows 8, an ambitious redesign that confused many
users by ditching the start button menu and introducing a new layout.
The new OS, launched on Wednesday, will be available as a
free upgrade for users of Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.
Wall Street Journal’s Geoffrey Fowler said Windows
10 fixes most of the issues with Windows 8 and improves on Windows 7,
Microsoft’s most popular OS in recent years.
For one, the start button is back.
“Three months of testing Windows 10 determined that this
familiar yet fresh overhaul far outweighs any problems,” Fowler wrote in
his review.
By offering free upgrades, Microsoft aims to put the
system on as many devices as possible. The company would then make up
for any lost revenue by selling services such as Office over the
Internet, or cloud.
FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives said the cloud strategy could generate a new revenue stream.
“It’s a step in the right direction. They went back to
their core DNA around software and a cloud-centric model and ultimately
Windows as a service, a subscription model,” Ives told Reuters.
Microsoft, which unveiled Windows 10 in September,
skipped Windows 9 altogether, to put some distance between the new
system and Windows 8.
At least one prominent reviewer was skeptical, saying the
new OS was unlikely to boost PC sales or salvage Microsoft’s Windows
phone business.
Re/code’s Walt Mossberg said some features were promising but the new OS was “surprisingly buggy”.
“I doubt it will convert many Mac owners, spur a shopping
spree in new PCs, bring in droves of new developers, or save the
Windows Phone,” Mossberg wrote. Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment