Microsoft Needs to Get its Apps Together

Last week in my Friday column I outlined a few of the challenges that I think Microsoft has in front of them with Windows 8. I cited lack of Windows momentum in the market along with changing software and app economics that are going to challenge Microsoft in ways they have never had to deal with. That being said I am rooting for Microsoft on this one as I have followed every major release since Windows 95. Although, I am not sure I have ever analyzed a release where I personally have had so much uncertainty about its chance of success.

Why I am Excited About Windows 8

Before I hit the larger direction behind this column, I want to make a few points about why I am excited and optimistic. What has me excited about Windows 8 is the kind of hardware innovation we are going to see because of it. Intel is helping this hardware innovation around Windows 8 with their UltraBook initiative and many of the products that will hit the market later this year and next are very interesting. Tim wrote earlier in the week about a category we are looking at heavily called “hybrids” which are tablet first hardware designs paired with a keyboard for when a consumer may need or want it. This is just one of many hardware designs that I think are very interesting and I am anxious to see how the market responds to them.

We write frequently about how the technology industry moves in cycles where a clear and obvious value shift moves from hardware, software and then to services. This example is clear in Apple’s ecosystem where hardware remains relatively constant and the major value has moved to software and now creeping into services.

Windows 8 because it is new and blends two unique experiences together will ignite a short term value trend where we will see new and innovative hardware built around the operating system. Inevitably, however, many of the designs we will see in hardware may not stick and the market will dictate which Windows 8 form factors are the winner. Because of the speed of this market and how mature the Apple and to a degree Android ecosystems are Microsoft–and partners– can not simply rely on the hardware and Windows brand alone to give them momentum in this market. Rather, for Microsoft to have a shot when they launch they need to get their apps together.

More than Hardware

To my point above of how the value chain evolves, it is as if, for Microsoft with this release, they need to come to market with as mature an ecosystem as Apple and Google in terms of apps and a software developer community. This, in my mind, is one of the most important factors necessary to truly evaluate and form an opinion of how successful the Windows 8 launch may be.

Microsoft needs to learn from Google on this one as the utter failure of Android tablets to gain any real traction is due to the lackluster apps built for tablets. Microsoft is in a similar position with Windows 8 Metro Apps. Of course Microsoft has legacy apps to fall back on but I still question how valid that really is in pure consumer markets.

My Techpinions colleagues Steve Wildstrom and Patrick Moorhead have already covered some of the potential legacy hardware issues with Windows 8 and perhaps some of the challenges Windows 8 faces on non-touch notebooks or desktops–which will still be a healthy portion of the market. I agree with and share their concerns in those areas but I am mostly concerned about what new and exciting software that will be waiting for consumers when they purchase these new Windows 8 devices.

Related Columns:
Windows 8 CP Tablet Experience: Distinctive yet Risky for Holiday 2012
Windows 8 and Mountain Lion: Same Problem, Different Answers

To use a video gaming industry analogy, Microsoft needs a title franchise to drive the hardware. They had this with XBOX and Halo where many consumers bought the XBOX simply for this title– it was that valuable. There has to be something that grabs consumers attention and appeals to them in a way that no other platform can.

This is clearly one of the strengths of Apple as they continually put products on the market both in hardware and software that drive demand. Microsoft and others lag in this category and it needs to change fast or they will face and even tougher uphill challenge than they already do.

As I stated earlier, we are rooting for Microsoft. We need healthy competition in this industry. However, our expertise in being industry and market analysts gives us insights into the challenging road ahead. To be fair, this is one of the riskiest things Microsoft has done in a while. Taking risks can bring great reward or fail miserably. Let’s just hope Windows 8 is more like the Windows 95 launch in terms of success and less like Vista, or even worse, Bob.

Published by

Ben Bajarin

Ben Bajarin is a Principal Analyst and the head of primary research at Creative Strategies, Inc - An industry analysis, market intelligence and research firm located in Silicon Valley. His primary focus is consumer technology and market trend research and he is responsible for studying over 30 countries. Full Bio

358 thoughts on “Microsoft Needs to Get its Apps Together”

  1. I suspect you are being kind as well as thinking outside the box, Ben. This is healthy speculation and an important discussion. MicroSoft is to be commended for its attempt at innovation, but the hybrid is what MicroSoft should have been perfecting ten years ago when it was first experimenting with its tablet form. At that time it might have worked. Today, with the iPad in its way, I am not so sure. Maybe pure enterprise will find some use for it but I can’t see doctors, schools, or pilots, restaurants and the like finding it useful. I have always felt that few hybrids are equal to the singularity of the parts. The hinge that holds the parts together will also be interesting to see as will be the size of the screen. The size of the iPad seems perfect and over time weight reductions will add the sparkle to perfection.

    Your points on specific, viable software would also have to include an integrated eco-system to bind the systems together, would it not? The MS tablet, like the iPad, will have to work right out of the box. Hopefully, all this will come together when the hybrid is released. I do applaud MicroSoft’s endeavours just as I thought Dell’s first attempts to replicate the MacBook Air was a good first try.

    The novelty of the hybrid will interest some though it may be that all Apple has to do to counter this hybrid is as simple as bringing out its own case-keyboard, one that is innovative, light and that secures the iPad in both landscape and portrait views. Apple’s trust and sense in simplicity are something few competitors get. It makes further innovations and additions seem so natural and practical they seldom get the accolades they deserve. The first iPad was so well designed that the next two are seen as but iterations rather than revolutionary. Will the same be said of MicroSoft’s tablet?

    1. I may be being too kind but I am an optimist 🙂 That being said, I hope that Microsoft and partners have a plan B.

  2. “For Microsoft with this release, they need to come to market with as mature an ecosystem as Apple and Google in terms of apps and a software developer community.”

    Ben, how in the world is Microsoft going to come to market with as mature an ecosystem as Apple? Bring out Windows 8 in 2015?

    1. Yes even after I wrote that, since that is exactly when it came to me, I was struck by how much of an uphill challenge this really is. To compete Microsoft needs to launch with a fully fledged ecosystem on phone, PC, and Tablet. Something that took Apple some time in regards to each product. That being said Microsoft and partners may have to have enough cash on hand to burn while segments or underserved parts of the market open up that they can target.

  3. I just don’t see a lot of innovation coming from PC vendors just because of Windows 8. They’ve had years to achieve this through a variety of iterations, both software and hardware, and have dropped the ball in general.

    Just take a walk through the electronics area of a Best Buy or Wal-Mart or CostCo or Microsoft store. Tell me what the real differences are in tablets, laptops, and PCs. Especially when they’re all running the same OS.

    It’s a bunch of vendors wrestling in the mud for nickels and it shows in their profits.

  4. The MS mobile ecosystem is starting from scratch. MS/Intel always assumed their desktop ecosystem (monopoly) would launch their predestined mobile domination. After all, everyone just “knew” you couldn’t live without Wintel. But 600 million Apple/ARM/Android users later people know otherwise. At this point it might work the other way around: Apple’s mobile domination might pave the way for significant desktop domination, especially in terms of profits.

  5. obviously like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your
    posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to inform the reality
    then again I will surely come again again.

  6. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
    previous to and you’re just extremely fantastic. I actually like what
    you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating
    and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining
    and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to read
    far more from you. This is actually a terrific site.

  7. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the web the easiest thing to be mindful of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as other people
    consider concerns that they plainly don’t understand
    about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest as smartly as defined out the whole
    thing with no need side effect , folks can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.
    Thanks

  8. I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everybody else
    experiencing issues with your site. It appears as if some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if
    this is happening to them as well? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Kudos

  9. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this website could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its field. Fantastic blog!

  10. Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  11. For instance, someone who has experienced hardship may develop values centered around resilience and compassion, while positive experiences may reinforce values like gratitude or optimism.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *