There is no Plan B

Microsoft has not made much of a dent in Apple's and Google's domination of mobile computing, but a top executive has hinted that it will not stop trying and does not have an alternative strategy.

"We're very focused on continuing the success we have with PCs and taking that to tablets and phones," Microsoft's chief financial officer Peter Klein said at the annual Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco.

Given Microsoft's lack of success so far, he was asked if there was an alternative strategy or 'Plan B' in reserve.

"It's less 'Plan B' than how you execute on the current plan," said Klein. "We aim to evolve this generation of Windows to make sure we have the right set of experiences at the right price points for all customers."

Microsoft Mobile | Windows Phone 8, Surface Tablet | No Plan B

Then listen to your customers, separate the desktop from the MPI and give people what they want!
 
Sorry Ray M$ will use its cash horde to try and get a foot hold in the smart phone fad and ignore its customer base there is no hope.
 

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Cash or not:

Android and Apple have extended their near duopoly with a whopping 91 per cent of the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter, a survey shows.

Google's Android system was used on 70.1 per cent of smartphones shipped in the quarter, while Apple held 21 per cent, according to research firm IDC.

Android, Apple Extend Smartphone Market Share Dominance | iPhone

Good luck.

If Windows 8 and RT had been separated and RT was just for the mobile space, maybe they would have had a chance. Device manufacturers are shying away from RT and Apple/Android users don't see a need for it or Windows 8. And Windows 8 users don't want RT on their desktop (excepting those Windows 8 luvvies on this forum).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Cash or not:

Android and Apple have extended their near duopoly with a whopping 91 per cent of the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter, a survey shows.

Google's Android system was used on 70.1 per cent of smartphones shipped in the quarter, while Apple held 21 per cent, according to research firm IDC.

Android, Apple Extend Smartphone Market Share Dominance | iPhone

Good luck.

If Windows 8 and RT had been separated and RT was just for the mobile space, maybe they would have had a chance. Device manufacturers are shying away from RT and Apple/Android users don't see a need for it or Windows 8. And Windows 8 users don't want RT on their desktop (excepting those Windows 8 luvvies on this forum).

Have you noticed the polls on this Forum, you're the one in the minority, about 70% are warming up to Windows 8, while you keep on hating. You hate Windows 8, you hate Windows RT, you hate Surface RT and you hate Surface Pro, you're a hater not a lover.
 

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System One

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    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I have yet to see any poll, anywhere, where a clear question results in a 70% favorable rating for win8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
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    Me
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    AVG Security Suite
You seem to ignore the fact that the polls also reveal that the majority do not like the MPI on the desktop.

I don't know where you get the idea that I hate Windows 8; afterall, I use it and purchased licences for it. I also don't use other than Microsoft products, nor buy new Apple/Android devices every time that I travel, and I also seem to know more about Windows 8 and what's inside than you do.

I'm merely pointing out some home truths of gross marketing failure and underestimation of what the market really wants. Yes there are a few that lap it all up and blame the users, most of the time not even understanding what the criticisms are about. Others just seem to behave as if they work for Microsoft, attempting to deflect every criticism with obtuse and irrelevant arguments.

Some simply don't want to face the truth.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
You seem to ignore the fact that the polls also reveal that the majority do not like the MPI on the desktop.

I don't know where you get the idea that I hate Windows 8; afterall, I use it and purchased licences for it. I also don't use other than Microsoft products, nor buy new Apple/Android devices every time that I travel, and I also seem to know more about Windows 8 and what's inside than you do.

I'm merely pointing out some home truths of gross marketing failure and underestimation of what the market really wants. Yes there are a few that lap it all up and blame the users, most of the time not even understanding what the criticisms are about. Others just seem to behave as if they work for Microsoft, attempting to deflect every criticism with obtuse and irrelevant arguments.

Some simply don't want to face the truth.

The problem is Ray you seem to come up with an awful lot of criticisms. I'll tell you what I'll do, if you find some positive stuff on the net about any of the items I've mentioned and post them on here, I'll start taking you more seriously.

If you post a few positive comments on the above items, I'll take you more seriously. The way it is at the moment you sound like something out of Grumpy Old Men.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
You seem to ignore the fact that the polls also reveal that the majority do not like the MPI on the desktop.

I don't know where you get the idea that I hate Windows 8; afterall, I use it and purchased licences for it. I also don't use other than Microsoft products, nor buy new Apple/Android devices every time that I travel, and I also seem to know more about Windows 8 and what's inside than you do.

I'm merely pointing out some home truths of gross marketing failure and underestimation of what the market really wants. Yes there are a few that lap it all up and blame the users, most of the time not even understanding what the criticisms are about. Others just seem to behave as if they work for Microsoft, attempting to deflect every criticism with obtuse and irrelevant arguments.

Some simply don't want to face the truth.

The problem is Ray you seem to come up with an awful lot of criticisms. I'll tell you what I'll do, if you find some positive stuff on the net about any of the items I've mentioned and post them on here, I'll start taking you more seriously.

If you post a few positive comments on the above items, I'll take you more seriously. The way it is at the moment you sound like something out of Grumpy Old Men.

When I do post anything positive, you always seem to be missing in action, probably playing with another Apple/Android device most likely.

But on a forum like this, when you keep getting posts like 'Windows 8 isn't the problem, it's the user.', then clearly people are failing to understand the issues that concern many Windows 8 users. If the message is failing to get through to astute forum members, then how on earth is it going to get through to Steve Balmer and others at Microsoft?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
You seem to ignore the fact that the polls also reveal that the majority do not like the MPI on the desktop.

I don't know where you get the idea that I hate Windows 8; afterall, I use it and purchased licences for it. I also don't use other than Microsoft products, nor buy new Apple/Android devices every time that I travel, and I also seem to know more about Windows 8 and what's inside than you do.

I'm merely pointing out some home truths of gross marketing failure and underestimation of what the market really wants. Yes there are a few that lap it all up and blame the users, most of the time not even understanding what the criticisms are about. Others just seem to behave as if they work for Microsoft, attempting to deflect every criticism with obtuse and irrelevant arguments.

Some simply don't want to face the truth.

The problem is Ray you seem to come up with an awful lot of criticisms. I'll tell you what I'll do, if you find some positive stuff on the net about any of the items I've mentioned and post them on here, I'll start taking you more seriously.

If you post a few positive comments on the above items, I'll take you more seriously. The way it is at the moment you sound like something out of Grumpy Old Men.

When I do post anything positive, you always seem to be missing in action, probably playing with another Apple/Android device most likely.

But on a forum like this, when you keep getting posts like 'Windows 8 isn't the problem, it's the user.', then clearly people are failing to understand the issues that concern many Windows 8 users. If the message is failing to get through to astute forum members, then how on earth is it going to get through to Steve Balmer and others at Microsoft?

I hear you loud and clear Ray, and I'm sure Steve Balmer has too, but it's getting a bit stale, besides how do you know they're not working on some of the so called problems right now.

I read a story about Adobe and Photoshop yesterday, like the founder said, they try to look after everyone, but everyone has different ideas, hence the amount of baggage in Photoshop.

Someone said they should rewrite it from scratch, he said it would take about 10 years and might never get finished. It's a complicated world and coding isn't easy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Oh well, if that's the case, I'll probably have another break from the site for a while, because it becomes a bit boring, well a lot boring really. That's why I took a few months off not long ago it's a bit depressing hearing the same stuff over and over.

Just once, well more than once, I'd like to come on here and listen to some positive stuff, like how people are getting around their problems, finding new ways of working, discovering new apps, you know normal Windows stuff.

Maybe even about how excited people are about seeing new Microsoft products like Surface RT and Pro, anyway that's Hans Christian Andersen stuff, not gonna happen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Oh some good news, my wife told me I can buy one of those Surfy Pro things when they become available. I don't know how she came up with that I've only mentioned it a couple of times.

I think she's in a good mood because I downloaded a game called 4 Elements 2 from the Windows 8 store for her, she's hooked, good for me though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Oh well, if that's the case, I'll probably have another break from the site for a while, because it becomes a bit boring, well a lot boring really. That's why I took a few months off not long ago it's a bit depressing hearing the same stuff over and over.

Just once, well more than once, I'd like to come on here and listen to some positive stuff, like how people are getting around their problems, finding new ways of working, discovering new apps, you know normal Windows stuff.

Maybe even about how excited people are about seeing new Microsoft products like Surface RT and Pro, anyway that's Hans Christian Andersen stuff, not gonna happen.

Goodonya! Six months should be just enough for a whole new batch of fun about the trials and tribulation of Windows 8 in an uncaring world. And don't forget, you are hearing about normal Windows stuff, right now at a forum near you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Oh well, if that's the case, I'll probably have another break from the site for a while, because it becomes a bit boring, well a lot boring really. That's why I took a few months off not long ago it's a bit depressing hearing the same stuff over and over.

Just once, well more than once, I'd like to come on here and listen to some positive stuff, like how people are getting around their problems, finding new ways of working, discovering new apps, you know normal Windows stuff.

Maybe even about how excited people are about seeing new Microsoft products like Surface RT and Pro, anyway that's Hans Christian Andersen stuff, not gonna happen.

Goodonya! Six months should be just enough for a whole new batch of fun about the trials and tribulation of Windows 8 in an uncaring world. And don't forget, you are hearing about normal Windows stuff, right now at a forum near you.

Oh no I was just thinking a few hours, I didn't want to make you too happy, well see.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Wouldn't it be more boring if everyone here was drooling over this thing.

You seem to enjoy your duels with Ray.



It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Oh well, if that's the case, I'll probably have another break from the site for a while, because it becomes a bit boring, well a lot boring really. That's why I took a few months off not long ago it's a bit depressing hearing the same stuff over and over.

Just once, well more than once, I'd like to come on here and listen to some positive stuff, like how people are getting around their problems, finding new ways of working, discovering new apps, you know normal Windows stuff.

Maybe even about how excited people are about seeing new Microsoft products like Surface RT and Pro, anyway that's Hans Christian Andersen stuff, not gonna happen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I have yet to see any poll, anywhere, where a clear question results in a 70% favorable rating for win8.

Look under General Support, Relative Ease of use how Windows 8 works. It asks if you like it and how easy it is to use.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Wouldn't it be more boring if everyone here was drooling over this thing.

You seem to enjoy your duels with Ray.



It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Oh well, if that's the case, I'll probably have another break from the site for a while, because it becomes a bit boring, well a lot boring really. That's why I took a few months off not long ago it's a bit depressing hearing the same stuff over and over.

Just once, well more than once, I'd like to come on here and listen to some positive stuff, like how people are getting around their problems, finding new ways of working, discovering new apps, you know normal Windows stuff.

Maybe even about how excited people are about seeing new Microsoft products like Surface RT and Pro, anyway that's Hans Christian Andersen stuff, not gonna happen.

Yeah you're probably right, I'm a fighter not a lover, sorry Ray, SIW2 has convinced me that staying is the best option.

You're right SIW2, look I know it has some problems I've had some myself, but for some reason for the first time in a very long time, I'm actually excited by this new product and what MS is doing. It's like going from DOS to Windows, now maybe back a little bit, it's a big change. I really like the idea of the one ecosystem, I've even signed up for Office 365 for a while just to get this uniformity.

I know it's probably harder for people who aren't into multiple PCs, tablets and phones to see the benefits, but when you're connected like I am, uniformity is king. And I'm positive that businesses will eventually see this as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
It never gets stale. The day people stop talking about it, is the day that Microsoft (and some here on the forum) declares that there's not a problem, everyone has accepted Windows 8 as being a great product.

Exactly.

If people stop complaining, then other operating systems might copy the awful Metro.
 

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    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
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    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Cash or not:

Android and Apple have extended their near duopoly with a whopping 91 per cent of the global smartphone market in the fourth quarter, a survey shows.

Google's Android system was used on 70.1 per cent of smartphones shipped in the quarter, while Apple held 21 per cent, according to research firm IDC.

Android, Apple Extend Smartphone Market Share Dominance | iPhone

Good luck.

If Windows 8 and RT had been separated and RT was just for the mobile space, maybe they would have had a chance. Device manufacturers are shying away from RT and Apple/Android users don't see a need for it or Windows 8. And Windows 8 users don't want RT on their desktop (excepting those Windows 8 luvvies on this forum).

RT on a desktop? Are you sure you understand the differences between RT and the full version. RT is not able to run on a desktop no matter what you do. RT is built for a completely different architecture than normal windows. x86/64 is long instruction and RT is designed for a short instruction processor something a desktop doesn't have. There is literally no chance of RT making it to a desktop environment considering that. It would mean designing a desktop that used a short instruction processor like an ARM or RISC (I think RISC is Short Inst) But that isn't likely to happen. We already have windows which was built for x86 and there is no reason to convert RT to x86 when it already exists in that form. So basically RT was a version of windows that would run on short instruction processors found in some phones and tablets. It doesn't pan out well because it is new and there is a lack of software that we are familiar with on the x86 version.

I think a lot of people are confused by the differences between the 2 versions and simply calling it Windows RT is not very descriptive for an average user.
 

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System One

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    Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1
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    Custom Build (What Else Would It Be?)
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    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz
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    Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5
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    CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1866 DDR3
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    XFX HD-697A-CNDC Radeon HD6970 2GB 256-bit
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    Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Edition
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    Dual 25 Inch Hanns-G HZ251
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    Corsair 850W Single Rail
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    Thermaltake V9 BlacX w/ Dual HDD Docking Station
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    Creative Fatal1ty
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    Cable 15Gbit (15 Down 5 Up)
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    XIGMATEK HDT-S1284F 120mm HYPRO Bearing CPU Cooler, LG Blu-Ray Burner.
I haven't had any real issues with Windows 8, other than with some updates and system restore (which doesn't work), otherwise I've found Windows 8 easy to use. However, I absolutely detest the MPI, it should never have been a fundamental part of Windows 8 desktop and we should have had a choice to retain the Windows 7 look and feel, natively, not with third party software. It's the one thing that stops me from fully moving across to Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
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