It’s no secret that I’ve become a Microsoft fan – their latest products won me over, even though I had crossed to Apple’s side a couple years back. And I’ve said it on this blog time and time again: it’s this very “ecosystem” that Microsoft is cleverly promoting that’s going to win them a lot of hearts and minds. In December you could have this ecosystem in your own home:
Windows Phone 8
The latest phones powered by Microsoft’s Windows-Phone are coming out fast. So far Samsung, Nokia, HTC and many others have expressed their interest to build a Windows Phone smartphone, but it’s Nokia that’s got the biggest lead – might be because they’re going all in with Microsoft’s mobile OS. The phones themselves are cool, too, with the Lumia 920 hoping to have a shot at Apple’s fanbase. And I think they’ve got a fighting chance.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft’s Surface has the opportunity of becoming even larger than the iPad, if it’s marketed correctly. It’s the perfect blend between a tablet and a netbook – heck, even a laptop. And, surprisingly enough, it’s got the best of all three.
The Surface is going to be shipped in two main versions: RT (which will be closer to a tablet) and PRO (which will resemble a laptop more). So, depending on what you want, the Surface can adapt to fit your needs. The Windows version that the PRO comes with has both the Metro-style interface and the more classic Windows desktop, so you can use it both as a tablet and as a laptop.
This is one of the few gadgets of its kind that had me sold even before it was launched. In fact, I gave up my laptop for a more powerful desktop computer and a Surface for mobility, and I think this is the ideal combination in this day and age.
Windows 8
I honestly hope this isn’t the weakest link of them all. Windows 8 is trying to bring something new to the table and so far it has received some pretty nasty criticism from the users who tested it before launch. Many dislike the new Metro-style interface, while only a few like the changes. Even I’m not a fan of the new implementation – I think it’s very cool for tablets, but difficult to use and impractical for a mouse-based computer.
But the best thing about all of these products is…
The way they work together
At the moment, this is the perfect solution for a complete package. You have the desktop PC for performance, the Surface for mobility and the Windows Phone for constant use, and if they all work together as intended I’m a happy camper. Throw in the Xbox 360 and then you’ve got it all.
I’ve always hated that I had to fiddle around with my gadgets so that they could work together, and even though things have improved over the past few years there’s still room for some more improvement and that’s exactly what I want from Microsoft’s upcoming lineup.
And by the looks of things they were designed to work together from the get-go. That’s why I think that this is Microsoft’s strongest selling point at the moment and that’s exactly why I’m looking forward to the upcoming months.
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