As I write this, I and thousands of others around the web are waiting with baited breath for the next evolution of Windows. I have spent no less than half of a calendar year putting the operating system to the test on my day to day computer. I’ll level with you here. I’m as excited as I’ve ever been about any Microsoft product release –to say nothing of anything that has ever come out of Microsoft’s Windows Division. To understand why my heart is all a flutter at the new operating system you have to first remember where we came from.
“..Any sane entertainment idea that made its way to the public from Microsoft always seemed to be covered in the worst strategy and gotchas consumers have ever had to put up with.”
For years the Windows Team has made increasingly ridiculous moves in the entertainment. As if it were a painting hanging on someone’s living room wall during an indoor paintball match, any sane entertainment idea that made its way to the public from Microsoft always seemed to be covered in the worst strategy and gotchas consumers have ever had to put up with. Adding a music store to Windows Media Player was a great idea, partnering with URGE, Rhapsody, Napster and more, all at the same time wasn’t. Giving users the ability to watch and record live television in their living room using a dedicated Windows Media Center PC was an idea of equal greatness, until you realize you are asking people to watch and record live television in their living room using a dedicated Windows Media Center PC.
I’m excited for the release of Windows 8 because Microsoft has taken the opportunity to thoughtfully execute one cohesive entertainment strategy across all of its products. For the first time in Microsoft’s history, the music subscription I have on my phone now works on my pc without me having to download an add-on, or feature pack, or separate branded music jukebox. For the first time in Microsoft’s history, I can stream media from my personal computer directly to an Xbox 360 in just three mouse clicks.
I’m excited for that ultimate moment when Microsoft’s various divisions finally pull their heads out of their proverbial rear ends and declare that they too can do something forward thinking. After a decade of antitrust oversight, scattershot strategic planning, and all around ecosystem half-ass, Microsoft put people who know what they’re doing in seats and had them create something forward-thinking and intuitive entertainment ecosystem that plays well with any kind of personal computer.
Yep. I’m excited. You should be too.