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Ivan Petkov

For the IT industry "Developers, developers, developers" is what "Location, location, location" means for real estate. Every software company is aware of the fact that the developers constitute the core that drives the business. This applies mainly to the operating systems, whether they are mobile or targeted to the traditional desktop devices. This symbolic replica belongs to no other than the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Steve Ballmer. I am beginning with it because today we are going to "talk" about Microsoft and the Build 2013 developer conference which took place in San Francisco. The new operating system Windows 8.1 occupied a central place in it. With Windows 8, the giant from Redmond has introduced a new cycle of innovation and development of its most popular product. Until recently, Microsoft used to launch a new version every few years and to presenting service packs, updates and minor innovations in the meantime.
 
The change in the market dynamics, the merger of desktop and mobile operating systems, Microsoft’s lagging behind in the mobile segment have driven the company to abandon the model which had worked in its favour in the past and turn to a new, faster development cycle which will present a new version of Windows each year. Shortly before the conference, there was some talk about an enhanced reorganization within the company. It will integrate the units dealing with Windows and Windows Phone, the desktop and mobile versions of the operating system to enhance the cooperation between the different teams. The integrated team will strive to gradually merge the mobile and desktop operating systems, providing a fully unified user experience regardless of whether we are using a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone. All other devices except smartphones are combining the new concept of personal computer which Microsoft is trying to impose.

Windows 8.1 – is it what Windows 8 was supposed to be?

Following the radical change, perhaps the most significant one in the history of Windows, its successor is to remove the rough edges and to respond to the discontent of a significant part of its users. Windows 8 had received a cold reception and mixed feelings mainly due to the removal of the Start Menu which had been present in the operating system since 1995. It was replaced by a completely new working environment developed primarily for touch-screen devices. The dissatisfaction mainly of users of laptop and desktop computers was due to the fact that the working environment developed for touch screens was not suitable for the use of a mouse and keyboard. Moreover, the change was so drastic that many users with basic computer literacy had faced difficulties in understanding and mastering the new user interface.

The new Charm Menu, the absence of the start button as well as the lack of multitasking in "Metro" (or "Modern UI", which is its new name) were criticized as well. The sizing of the tiles and the absence of basic functionalities from the new "Metro" applications and the system start-up in the new "Metro" environment, part of which is the traditional desktop environment, were other reasons for the negative reception of Windows 8.

Microsoft rushed to announce that it was working on a new version, thus showing that it listens to the recommendations of its users. The company had reasons to hurry because, in 2012, there was a drop in the sales of personal computers for the first time in their history. The partners of Microsoft which manufacture them were not late in criticizing the company saying that Windows 8 was further slowing down the market instead of reviving it. The company from Redmond which holds over 90% of the market share of operating systems for traditional computers was pressed both by the users and producers. No wonder then that many people have been anticipating Windows 8.1 to see if Microsoft will be able to calm its customers and partners down and make them enthusiastic .

Very small innovations for such a great update.

Appearance and personalization

The first change the user faces is the home screen of the new operating system. It offers the option of directly receiving Skype calls without entering a password. You can also take pictures which is useful for mobile devices. A personalization element is the option of making a collage of photos from the gallery or SkyDrive (the cloud service of Microsoft).

Microsoft has taken a few ideas from Windows Phone, its mobile operating system, representing small and large-sized tiles on the start screen. Now, the sizing of the tiles offers more control and customizing options. The time tile now provides information about up to 3 different locations. The calendar may display all events for the day. The tiles are animated and present different information and tiles of programs by other developers, for example, by Twitter. The smallest tile has a new size which allows you to save space without sacrificing the beautiful animated effects. The arrangement of the icons in the startup screen is easier because you can grip and move several tiles at a time. The auto-tile home screen is no longer present because all icons were placed on it, including those which the user does not need, which required additional "cleaning" of the unnecessary tiles after the installation of each new application. Now the screen is new and brings all applications into one place whereas the home screen and its appearance remain a user territory. In this regard, Microsoft allows the user to insert wallpaper, including interactive or "live" wallpapers.

The biggest change is associated with the possibility of pinning the active metro applications. This option was limited in Windows 8 as it allowed simultaneous pinning of only two applications, which was insufficient for large screens. Pinning of applications was not possible on low-resolution screens but this option is already available due to the development of mobile devices with a resolution of 1024x768. They will be able to display two applications at a time which will split the screen 50:50.

Search

Bing, developed by Microsoft, is deeply integrated into Windows 8.1. Any information is available and it is presented as local, as if it is available on your device. The appearance is impressive indeed. Actually, the idea is that there is no difference between local search and searching for information on the web. In addition, everything is arranged in a pleasant and beautiful view which is easy to use and navigate and which combines text, images and video.

Bing supports the option of searching directly from the screen of Windows 8.1 but, according to Microsoft, this is only the beginning. The new way of presenting the search results will be introduced in Windows Phone as well, which will be another step towards the full merger of the mobile and desktop operating systems.

The return of the Start button

Many users are criticizing Microsoft for being too hasty in merging the elements of the mobile and desktop operating systems. The removal of the start menu has sparked a wave of discontent and arguments that “Metro” is not convenient for working with a mouse and keyboard. Microsoft has partly heard the voice of users and returned the removed Start button whose absence was confusing to regular users. There is no sign of the start menu, the button represents a direct connection to the new start screen. Windows 8.1 has an option for direct entry into the classic desktop environment without having to go through the start screen.

E-mail and Office

The e-mail application was deeply criticized for the lack of some basic features. The company demonstrated some of the operating innovations which are not currently present in the preliminary version of Windows 8.1 and which will be added later. The application includes drag-and-drop options, grouping of messages from social networks and newsletters. One of the things that is not working well yet is the option of pinning another “Metro” application to the e-mail user for a quick overview of a link or photo from an e-mail.

The company demonstrated the office suite that is prepared to work entirely in the “Metro” environment. It will be available later in the year as it is in the early stages of development.

Internet Explorer 11

Great attention has been paid to the new version of the browser which has been divided into two separate versions: one for “Metro” and the other for the desktop environment. The browser now supports over 100 open tabs to be synchronized with other devices. The tabs are moved to the bottom of the screen and in addition to the unlimited number of pages open, the browser allows you to save your favourite sites in folders and subfolders as well as to create “live” tiles of individual sites along with access to RSS feeds.

The merger of local and Internet content is enhanced by the deeper integration of Microsoft cloud service, Sky Drive. Everything stored in the cloud is visible on the new device with Windows 8.1, but its synchronisation is not automatic. This happens when you open the specific file. The Sky Drive folder is visible as a local folder and all settings, applications and their history is automatically saved in the cloud, ready for restoration or use on a new device with Windows 8.1.

Synchronisation with smartphones using Windows Phone is also available. Browser tabs are synchronized, and in case you have to go out and need the open websites, they will be available on your smartphone and you will not have to open them again. However, we will have to wait for the new version of Windows Phone in order to be able to use this functionality. The service is similar to that of Google Chrome, which has been able to synchronize the tabs between a desktop and mobile Chrome browser for quite some time already.

New applications and other improvements

A calculator and alarm clock suitable for use with fingers have already been added.

Other improvements concern mainly the “Modern UI / Metro” environment and they are targeted to the users of hybrid devices and tablets. The virtual keyboard provides suggestions for correction of words entered, allowing you to slide them sideways with your finger if you want to see more suggestions. The control panel in “Metro” has been improved and it features more options that were available only from the traditional control panel which required its opening in the traditional desktop environment. Bearing in mind the fact that it is not optimized for finger use, these settings were very uncomfortable and annoying.

The camera application allows you to shoot panoramic photos. The help and support application has been developed that is helpful to new users.

Here is the whole presentation from the first day of Build 2013:

Windows 8.1 - a step forward or continuing in the wrong direction?

The direction cannot be wrong, the users have received the tablets and smartphones very well, and the use of the touch screen is so natural that it appears suitable for small children and elderly people who have no experience with computers instead of being perceived as an obstacle. These kinds of devices have been able to shift the attention from the traditional desktop and notebook computers whose sales have started to decline. Microsoft was late for the party and decided to appear, belatedly but spectacularly, by starting to merge the desktop and mobile working environment. The shock has had a somewhat premature impact on the users who use Windows for work.

The new elements developed for touch screens were unsuitable for traditional personal computers. Microsoft had expected a higher prevalence of touch screen including desktop users as well as faster introduction of hybrid devices that combine notebooks and tablets. This did not happen and the first hybrid version of the Windows operating system was received with mixed feelings. The second attempt is aimed at wiping out the bad impressions of the users but, as we see, the innovations have been focused on touch-screen devices. To the regret of Microsoft, the market share for these type of devices is modest at present. The company hopes to change the situation by launching 8-inch screen tablets which can operate with Windows 8.1.

For the users of traditional desktop computers and notebooks without touch screen, the new version has a start button and offers the option of starting the operating system directly from the desktop without using “Metro”. Many of the users' demands have been ignored. Apparently, the company from Redmond has focused its main efforts on the market of touch-screen devices. It remains to be seen whether it is wise for the company to ignore the market that is bringing in the main part of its revenue and make this risky move to change.

The new test version of Windows 8.1 can be downloaded from the website of Microsoft.