Apple out of touch

Like many households we've become locked into the Apple ecosystem.  Not me personally, I'm a bit of a rogue running an Android phone, an Android 7" tablet and a Windows 8 Surface RT tablet, so I'm spreading the love across two operating systems myself.  My wife is the Apple user, with both the iPad and the iPhone.

It was the iPad first, if my memory serves me correctly, followed by the iPhone.  Earlier adopters will have bought the iPad second, but it's all the same as far as locking-in is concerned. Part of me struggles with the locking in part - I'm toying with the idea of moving over to a Windows 8 phone when my contract comes up for renewal later this year. Because I'm not tied completely to either Android or Microsoft I can swap around as much as my contract allows me.

Apple users, though, struggle with this lack of loyalty, and with good reason. Apple were first to the post with a joined up ecosystem, linking devices together so that photos taken on the iPad appeared almost instantly on the iPhone and vice versa. Same with their calendar, music and, of course, apps. Now I've blogged about this a few times previously, but the ecosystem appears to be more dysfunctional than ever. Photos are very sticky, once in almost impossible to remove, so the photo library grows and grows, to the point that my wife has deleted virtually all her musice from her iPhone to accommodate the photos. Moving music seems harder than we remember it, too. Initially my wife used to use her iPhone like a juke box, changing songs to suit her mood and season. As her phone is only 16gb versus the iPad 32gb she always had to take care not to bust her storage, but in the last year or so that has become almost impossible. As her phone contract is up later this year she has mooted changing to a non-Apple product, but then the crisis regarding the ecosystem always crops up.

But now it seems that Apple have come up with a potential solution, albeit unintentionally. They've just revamped their iPod Touch MP3 players, dropping the price a tad while upping the spec. They've also added some colour to the devices, so that may please some potential buyers. The biggest improvement, apart from price, is the inclusion of a 5mb camera. So users could pick up a larger capacity iPod - they go up to 64gb - so all of your photos, music and diary events could be stored on the one device, it could become the go-to camera to carry around, it can share with the iPad and the iCloud.

And users would be free to go with whatever phone, based on whatever OS they wanted. Which is good news for Android and Windows 8 phones, because that is probably where Apple customers will go as soon as their phone contract is up.

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2014 - Downturn for Apple?

Apple have had it all their own way for the last seven years or so, and justifiably so given they gave the mobile phone market a massive kick in the rear and created the tablet market.  And did they dominate? You bet.

Then along came Google with Android, playing a long game on the apps and the OS.  Now they have the lion's share of the mobile phone market if not the revenue.  Apple have maintained their traditional pricing structure, positioning themselves as the premium product and for a while that was certainly true.  However their reputation is wearing thin, their products are not as diverse as the competition and critically they are failing to win market share in developing regions.

While mobile phone growth has remained steady in the western markets the effects of the credit crunch on disposable income has slowed down discretionary spending, although the queues around the Apple stores seem to belie this.  Android phones are seen as more versatile in the developing regions - it has a similar number of apps to Apple now and there is a wide variety of products at virtually every price point available.

Google aren't getting it all their own way, though.  In these critical markets Microsoft are seeing major growth.  They're late to the party, but in these regions they're catching up. Their alliance with Nokia means that there are some competitive phones in the developing regions and Microsoft are expected to see serious growth and market share in 2014.  They'll not get anywhere Android, but they could equal or better Apple worldwide.  Apple may have a certain cache with discerning customers, but their product line is looking limited and not at all diverse.  If you want a larger screen, better consider an iPad mini, because the mobile phones are all pretty much the size they were when they were launched many years ago.

But it is in the app sales that the war will really hot up.  Google are recompensing app developers pretty much the same the same amount as Apple do, an area they haven't previously competed well in.  Given the larger market share of Android this may affect development choices, which have traditionally favoured Apple.  Microsoft's app store, although only one fifth of the size of Apple's and Android's, is growing at a faster rate than either, possibly through developers cashing in on existing code as they get used to Windows 8 programming requirements.

Apple may have to consider expanding its range of products to retain its market share in both hardware and apps, but due to its long established principle of only developing in-house it will struggle to compete with the range of Android and Windows 8 mobile phones coming out.  Consequently it will have to change its model or see itself side-lined in 2014.

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Windows For Free?

Microsoft are seriously considering allowing their Windows 8 (full fat and RT) OS to be installed on mobile phones for free. It's unclear whether they are considering this just for mobile phones or whether tablets would be included. It makes a lot of sense, Microsoft have allowed Google to stalk them with Android and capture a market share that could have been shared more equitably.

Apart from the Apple slice of the phone and tablet market, Google have been allowed to dominate the non-Apple devices apart from the few Windows CE devices that preceded Windows 8 and Microsoft have suffered a double blow as a result. You see, adoption of Android for phones and tablets hasn't only affected those devices but has also impacted on PC sales and allowed Google to muscle in with its Chromebooks. So market share has been lost in every market that Microsoft should have been aiming to be number one in.

It appears that Microsoft has reaped most of its mobile Windows license fees from Nokia up until recently, however the acquisition of the mobile manufacturer means that any license fees are at best an internal transfer of finances. To make any money out of the OS Microsoft may have to give it away.

The logic behind this is that to compete directly with Google then Microsoft has to equal or better Google's deal, and given that Google give Android away to all and sundry then Microsoft need to follow suit. In fact, given that independent device manufacturers have to incorporate Microsoft license fees in any devices they sell with Windows 8 installed it's a wonder any bothered so far. Allowing mobile phones and tablets to have free versions of Windows 8 starts the road to embedding the OS into the fabric and consciousness of future PC buyers. Given the interaction between devices running Windows 8 this should help drive adoption of the OS in laptops and PCs.  The biggest challenge will be the cut-off point between tablets and laptops - as Microsoft's own Surface devices demonstrate.  Where the free licensing stops and paid for licences starts could be the hardest decision needed.

Microsoft will need to reap revenue from tertiary elements such as Bing and the app store, as well as from in-app advertising. The Bing benefits should accrue naturally from more Windows 8 installations but the app store will need serious investment to catch up with the Android version. The Apple store, with over one million apps and growing, is going to be the toughest act to catch.

It remains to be seen if Microsoft are going to take the leap into giving their OS away for free, but if they don't then they stand to lose out in the mobile and tablet markets, which by inference could lead to the demise of their desktop and laptop base. That would leave a planet divided between Apple and Google which probably isn't a great prospect. Putting Microsoft between those two would keep the market keen, which is better for consumers.

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iPad Pro for 2014

There are strong rumours circulating that Apple are likely to launch an iPad Pro device in the first half of next year.  If anything, this is an overdue development for the Apple tablet and one that Microsoft have shown to be ripe for the taking with its Surface tablets.

There's no argument that the iPad has infiltrated itself into business use way beyond its capabilities - lets be honest here, it's not the most secure of computing devices.  However it became such a must-have device but was and is priced as a premium commodity that inevitably it was those who were heading up the upper echelons of businesses and organisations who managed to get hold of the devices first, flexing their corporate budgets to obtain something that was initially quite elitist.  The question of security was probably swept under the carpet - if the boss wants an iPad, he gets an iPad.

Roll forward a few years and the iPad is still a premium commodity item, is still as insecure as ever and to be fair there's a few other premium tablets vying for part of Apple's business at a similar price point, although the trend has been towards the budget end.  Ultimately the iPad and most of the other slates are just consumer devices, only some tablets cost more limbs than others.  However Microsoft have shown that there is a need for a secure tablet in the market - or as secure as any Microsoft product can be as they are inevitably the target for the majority of the attempts to compromise their OS due to their ubiquitous position in the business and domestic sectors.  Whether it has been Microsoft entering the tablet arena that has spurred Apple, or whether if was always part of their game plan, isn't known.  But it seems like they are moving towards a Professional-orientated iPad next year.

Whether the device will be iOS or based on iMac software is an interesting starting point for consideration - the systems are too far apart to be merged at this point in time.  But there is a compelling argument for either approach - make the iPad Pro an extension of the MacBook range and software and you have what Microsoft have been aiming at, at the risk of alienating the traditional iPad power users who would happily pay for the Pro as an extended iOS device, or base it on a secure version of iOS so that it can access all those apps - now understood to have passed the 1 million mark - at the risk of limiting its compatibility with traditional Apple computer users.

Cost is going to be an interesting element, too, given that the consumer device is already priced high.  Apple tends towards premium pricing generally and let's face it, Microsoft have eased the market for this with its Surface Pro pricing strategy. Apple laptops and desktops have tended to be more expensive than their Microsoft software based competitors historically, so pitching just above the Surface Pro price point probably wouldn't be unreasonable to the Apple faithful. Of course Microsoft have the initiative here and could drop the Surface Pro pricing ahead of any iPad Pro launch, increasing the differential price pressure on Apple.

The biggest question, though, has to be around connectivity. Apple really has to think long and hard about its resistance to using industry standard interfaces such as USB, HDMI and micro SD slots. OK, we're all getting our heads around the cloud now, but Wi-Fi isn't as omnipresent as it should be. Of course Apple would likely include 4G as standard in a Pro model, but that may not fit in fully with every commercial organisations security profile.

An iPad for the grown up world is long overdue and looks like it should be here before mid 2014. Not only should it gladden the hearts of the iPad professionals and their long worrying ICT managers, it should exert a downward pressure on the prices of the consumer devices of all flavours.  In fact Google should worry because this is a race they currently cannot compete in and could lead to an erosion of the Android brand. Microsoft should view this as healthy and supporting their strategy; Apple competing validates the sector and makes it more robust.

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Microsoft to Discount RT OS

Microsoft are in the game for the long run, that's for sure.  In fact anyone who has watched Microsoft over the years will realise that the one thing they do really well is the long game.  I guess Alpha testing is in the other camp seeing as they always leave the really tricky testing to the likes of you and me.

Historically they've tended to be a one product company - Windows 95 replaced Windows 3.1.1, ME unfortunately replaced Windows 95.  Somewhere along the way Vista came and went, thank goodness and Windows 7 replaced it.  XP, still used by many, was officially dumped by Vista and that has to be the cruellest fate for an OS ever.  Then about a year ago Microsoft did something that they've not tried before, they launched two operating systems simultaneously, or as near as dammit. 

They launched Windows 8 and Windows RT, which is a cut down version of Windows 8.  In fact, it's not the Windows 8 functionality that's the cut down part, it's the compatibility with Windows 7 that's missing.  And on the whole Windows 7 is still a major player in the PC world - let's face it, unlike Vista, it ain't broke.

But that's not to say you shouldn't be looking at Windows 8, if you've got a smart screen enabled PC.  Probably you don't have many right now, but I'm guessing that we're not going to be able to buy anything but in the next few years, so as your old laptops and desktops fall by the wayside, or your monitors spontaneously fry, you'll be buying smart screen replacements and the logic of Windows 8 will become more obvious.

In the meantime Microsoft want to establish Windows 8 with us all - that static desktop image is so last year - and they think that RT, cut down version that it is, is the way to do it.

I'm using RT right now, on my Microsoft Surface RT, and it's working for me.  But then again my range of software requirements are fairly minimal - I use Word and Excel, Internet Explorer, I search for stuff using Bing and Google, I use webmail and I use the various tools that Microsoft provide like calendar, Bing Money, Weather and a few items I've downloaded for free from the Windows App store.  Oh, and I'm loving the Xbox music app to stream free music.

Now Microsoft want to push RT out further.  It's designed to run on mobile phone type processors using ARM technology and they think that some of the seven inch tablets appearing on the scene should be using RT.  I agree, especially if they throw in the Microsoft Word and Excel options because that's something nobody can compete with and takes tablet computing into grown up territory.

They're not winning the battle at the moment - that would be Apple iOS and Android, but my guess is that any device capable of running Android can be reconfigured to host RT fairly easily, although a dual boot option might be one for the techies out there.  The fact is that the next big sales period is in the third quarter, with the Holidays being the big time for deciding what is going to lead the pack.  Did I mention Microsoft are in this for the long haul?

I expect that RT will be pushed with a little help from Microsoft discounting the OS, probably big time.  Because people who have RT on their tablet are more likely to want Windows 8 on their laptop and, because Microsoft have thought this through, on their mobile phone too.

Once RT becomes a viable alternative to Android we may see some really dirty competition starting in the tablet market.  And that, for me, is a good thing.

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A Bit of Blue

I found Bill Gates agreeing with me the other day.  That's not to say Bill and I don't see eye to eye all the time, but it was a rare occasion where I posted a blog entry explaining reasons why I think Windows 8 tablets will revive the Microsoft product line.  I banged on a bit about how only the Microsoft powered devices can be considered fit for business purposes.  Then lo and behold!  Old Bill pops up and makes pretty much the same statements.  Now I'm not suggesting that Bill read my blog and thought he'd steal the words - rather I suggest that the direction Microsoft find themselves on right now isn't accidental and both Bill and I decided to mention it at about the same point in time.

I did notice Bill failed to suggest that Apple should be making their products more like business machines, unlike my posting.  Probably so that I couldn't cite him as a plagiarist.

Anyway, it seems that a lot of people aren't as enamoured by Windows 8 as me and Bill are.  It seems that in part many don't like it on non touch-screen computers.  I looked at it being demonstrated on a computer without a touch-screen and although you do lose a chunk of the intuitive nature of the software, it still seemed like progress.  It would make me hark for a touch screen monitor, if used on a desktop, but it wasn't a deal breaker.  In fact I looked up my options to upgrade my Windows 7 laptop as soon as I got home and found that it was £100 to upgrade.  That was a deal breaker for me and I said so.  Microsoft need to incentivise the transition to non touch-screen devices now, in my opinion.

Another complaint from Windows 8 users and wannabees is the lack of the Start button.  Until Windows 95, the Start button didn't exist.  I've two favourite memories of this innovation, one from the papers, one from personal experience.  The first one is that to launch Windows 95 Microsoft wanted a strong Ad campaign backed by a strong musical hook.  So they decided on 'Start Me Up' by the Rolling Stones.  Now I'm of that generation and while I agree it's a great track, I hadn't heard of it when they launched.  To be honest, I don't think I even registered the song when the adverts came out even though I was eagerly awaiting any information about the new OS.  Anyway the story goes that Microsoft phoned up Mick Jagger, or one of his flunkys, and asked how much to use 'Start Me Up' for the advert and the answer came back in a heartbeat '£1 million' or some similar ridiculous sum.  It was intended to either get them to put the phone down or at least start the negotiation at a sensible number.  Apparently the Stones nearly fainted when the voice on the other end said 'OK'.  I bet Mick wished he's asked double.

The second story was recounted to me by the owner of a B&B in Kent when I was on a course with a bunch of other RAF guys.  Anyway, this guy explained that he'd decided to 'get into computing' and had bought a brand new Windows 95 PC from a  local seller who promised to set it up and get him going.  The seller turns up, shows the guy how to start the machine up and, once 95 had loaded, proceeded to make a big deal about how you used the 'Start' button to start just about anything.  It seemed sensible and really intuitive, so the seller left the house with our hero really pleased and playing with his new toy for a few more hours - we've all been there.  Then he decided he really ought to go to bed and spent an hour trying to find the 'Stop' button.

The 'Start' button did in fact cause a lot of complaints when it arrived - who needed it, we never had it before.  But people persevered - they had to, Windows 95 was a step change from Windows 3.11 and the Start button was an integral part of it, and now we have a generation and a half that believes it can't live without it.

So Microsoft have listened and now they are about to announce an upgrade to Windows 8, codenamed Blue.  The option to have a Start button is apparently part of that upgrade.  I hope it isn't compulsory - I'm not afraid of change and while I don't welcome change for change sake, neither do I like hanging onto redundant features like a blanky.

Another feature that is likely to be launched is the ability to boot into the legacy Windows OS screen - you can currently flip into it once you've booted into the Windows 8 tile screen.  I can see the benefit of being able to run to what is familiar, especially if you're struggling to complete some real work - remember Windows 8 touch-screen tablets allow you to do that - and you can't find what you're looking for.  I'm not saying I won't flip to the legacy screen when I start using Windows 8, but my intention is to move forward whenever possible.  Flipping once booted, if needed, will be fine by me.

I see the complaints to be similar to the ones I get all the time when people are exposed to Office 2007 when they're used to using the earlier versions.  I was an early adopter of Office 2007 - actually in 2007 - as the firm I was working for wanted 100 people worldwide to trial it.  I invested a working day to get my head around the ribbons and I've never looked back.  If you can't find something in Office 2007 and later versions then you're probably looking too hard - whoever decided what to put on the home ribbons really understood how real people use the products and put all the useful bits on that ribbon.

So to keep momentum going Microsoft are getting a bit blue.  As usual it will present an opportunity for them to iron out the inevitable faults that will be in the first production version, and that alone marks a good point in the development cycle, unless you're one of the unintentional beta testers who paid for the privilege.  But it also presents an opportunity for the less brave to take baby steps towards the future. 

Because although I think tablets are here to stay I'm not convinced that they will be the predominant technology in five or ten years time.  But touch-screen computing in many guises will be and the software needed to support that will need to support business uses too.  Hopefully Blue will be the version of Windows 8 that marks its general adoption.

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Tablets Set to Reverse PC Decline

The sale of PCs has been sliding for a few years, pretty much in parallel with the rise of the iPad.  It makes sense, given the current economic situation that seems reasonable - there's only so much cash sloshing around so a choice to buy one device limits the options for another.  But more than that, the iPad showed that there are other ways of computing.

The iPad came with an interface that was intuitive, that stretched and slid items around the screen without the need for a mouse.  All you needed was a finger or two, and consequently the computer buying public showed two of them to the PC industry.  Year on year, since the iPad appeared on the scene, PC sales have  declined.

To be fair to Apple, or in fact to Steve Jobs, they pulled a blinder with the iPad and the iPod before it.  I can only imagine the look of horror on the boardroom faces when Steve walked in, sold them the concept of the iPod and then said that anyone would be allowed to develop apps for the device.  Not only that, although nobody was allowed to make a device that could run iOS, anybody could build under license devices that connected to the new hardware.  He wrapped the apps up in the iTunes store, making  millions for Apple on the way while controlling the quality and by letting you, me and the guy down the road make docks for the iPads he ensured that Apple had a wide variety of interfaces for the iPad that Apple didn't have to design or worry about selling well.  Genius.

The only problem is that the iPad, smart that it is, attractive and cool too, isn't a business tool.  When it arrived it was a solution looking for a problem, and quickly it found them.  Apps sprung up left, right and centre, our music management issues - the ones we'd largely been oblivious to previously, was solved by iTunes.  Book management was pretty well sorted too, although Amazon probably thought they'd addressed that particular issue already.  The ability to catapult cartoon birds through virtual air was sorted quickly enough and in no time at all every possible permutation of Maj Jongg, Sudoko and other games for the traveller and individuals short on friends appeared too.  But no true business applications.

Which is a bit of a surprise when you stop and think of it, after all, Apple make some pretty well respected business machines.  They may not have a track record of designing business software - they've traditionally bought that in, although anyone remembering the arguments between Apple and Microsoft initially over Microsoft Office will recall it wasn't always easy.  But they have carved a perfect niche in desktop publishing and arty graphical work over the years.  My guess - and it is a guess, I'm no expert in graphical arts - is that PCs can do pretty much the same task as a Mac can now, for a fraction of the price, but the reputation in the publishing industry resists tarnishing the network with anything not a Macintosh.

But Microsoft have recognised that the humble tablet needs a purpose, have spotted a gap, and have designed Windows 8 to deal with it.  I'm sure, like all previous Microsoft operating systems it will prove to be an advanced beta version until at least the second release version - they do have a habit of letting us normal users shake down their software - but it does allow Microsoft Office applications to run on it.

And they have taken a leaf out of Apple's book, but to be fair I think Apple borrowed it from Microsoft initially.  Although they are manufacturing their own tablets for this software, they're really keen on others doing the hard work - the HPs, Dell, Samsungs of this planet.  That way they are ensuring that Windows 8 will appear in a myriad of forms, colours, features and price points that MIcrosoft really doesn't have to worry about too much.  Of course, they will want them all to succeed, because inside every successful Windows 8 tablet is, well, Windows 8.

So it isn't a surprise to find that analysts believe that PC sales are going to grow rapidly over the next two to three years.  Don't expect much action in the desktop sales - their decline will continue sharply except for those that have touchscreen monitors connected, maybe.  Laptops with touch screens are going to see a real increase in sales and Windows 8 tablets are set to lead the attack.  Especially as the no-name manufacturers in China are now gearing up their low cost Windows tablets for general sale.  The growth in mobile PC sales is forecast to grow from 360 million devices last year to over 760 million devices by 2017.

I'll be surprised if Apple take this lying down - once we start buying tablets that can do our office tasks as well as flick birds with a temperament problem skywards in meaningful numbers there will be less of an imperative to spend what is left of out finite fiscal resources on a replacement iPad, no matter how sexily it is dressed up.  So I'm expecting the next generation but one iPad to start looking like a business tool.  It may even be the next generation - I understand the iOS is undergoing a massive overhaul, being simplified and made less fussy.  Perhaps that's to make the transition to a real business machine easier.  At least Apple have the heritage to do this.  I'm not sure if Google have thought it through.

So before you buy your next tablet computer ask yourself what you'd really like to do with it.  If the answer genuineness is surf the web, send emails, watch you tube, play music and games, then maybe the iPad is for you.  But if you want to do more, then look further afield, Windows 8 devices might just be what you are waiting for.

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Samsung Has Its Thinking Cap On

One of the side events I witnessed at the Gadget Show Live recently was a demonstration of a thought controlled roller skateboard, demonstrated by one of the founding fathers of Twitter.  Putting aside any inclinations towards scepticism - the thought control element could have been kidology, it may have been controlled by a remote control out of sight of the thousand or so spectators - it was shown to drive around the small arena, accelerating and decelerating as needed to negotiate the circuit.

It worked reasonably well - it was driven onto the main stage, down a ramp and around the front seats on three sides of the stage, with the driver crouching down and slapping kids on the palm as he swept past.  The concept is that you train the computer - a Windows 8 tablet on this occasion, presumably because the Gadget Show Live was sponsored by Windows 8 although it is understood that a Samsung Android tablet has been used in earlier iterations - using a headset that is sensitive to neuron activity in the brain.

It appears that each driver has to train the computer to recognise the way their brain generates neuron activity. We're all different, apparently, so consequently a pre-programmed device ready for fine tuning is out of the question.  This sounds remarkably similar to the issues and challenges overcome by the teams training rats to push buttons using brainwaves, as mentioned on my blog posting from the 10 March this year 'Leave the Mouse, Get a Rat.'  So, for brainwave controlled activities we're about as effective as rats.  That's reassuring.

Samsung have been working with MIT to develop this technology further  using a headset bristling with EEG measuring electrodes.  Think of a swimming cap with a poor man's dreadlocks and you get the idea.  Hooking up to one of their Galaxy tablets they've had a fair bit of success in selecting and launching apps.  As one commentator states, thought controlled technology will be a boon for those with mobility issues, and persons suffering with illnesses such as Locked In Syndrome may have some relief.  Looking beyond low hanging fruit such as that, it also presents a wealth of opportunities for those of us lucky enough to not be classed as disabled.

Controlling the TV and the DVR by thought control has to be an aim, although the resulting carnage in houses up and down the country needs to be considered as TV channels are changed in the literal blink of an eye.  Adding an extra input dimension to operating your computer has to be an objective, too.  As we demand more from our programs, the need to manipulate needs more than a virtual extra pair of hands.

Part of the tests carried out at MIT is using the thought control to manipulate a music player, getting the human equivalent of the lab rat to select, play and pause classical music tracks.  At present the accuracy of such tests is between 80% and 95%, which isn't perfect - I would expect around 98% accuracy using conventional controls by persons familiar with the software.  However it is probably a lot better than most would expect.  The researchers are very happy with the results and are looking at ways to make the headsets more convenient, such as replacing the current wet electrode requirement with a dry electrode.

It's early days, but if a viable range of controls are developed then maybe the sensors will be fitted subcutaneously, allowing computers and other devices to be controlled just by thought.  Like Google Glass, this technology has the potential to change the game permanently and my guess is the days of clunky rubber headgear are limited.  For this application, anyway. The technology will undoubtedly develop faster as the results improve, and I expect the progress to increase in leaps and bounds as the capability is realised.  And of course it's not just Samsung looking onto this technology, IBM have a research project working on it, so we're looking at some heavyweight research going on.

In my opinion, if any technology is worth thinking about, this is it.

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Windows 8 - Touch and Go? It Is On The Surface!

At the Gadget Show Live it was impossible to get away from laptops running Windows 8.To be fair, Microsoft were a major sponsor of the show and they had the largest stand.  Apple were noticeably absent and Google were there only by default, thanks to the many Android tablets on sale throughout the building.

However it was my first hands on experience of Windows 8 and following the mixed reviews that followed its release last autumn it was a timely opportunity.  Obviously I wanted to look at the interface itself, but I was also keen to see how the OS would work on non-touch-screen PCs.  One thing that was immediately clear from the show is that touch-screen laptops are going to be the standard going forward - all the major manufacturers were represented and they all featured touch-screen technology.  To see how a non-touch-screen PC would work, I had to keep my fingers away from the screen and just use the mouse pad.  It's not as good as swiping with your finger, but it doesn't make the interface redundant - in fact, even without touch the interface seems pretty good.

My only complaint to many of the exhibitors pitching Windows 8 compliant machines is that, with the exception of the Microsoft stand, hardly any exhibits were loaded with Microsoft Office - it's possible that they had all hoped to use SkyDrive to pull Office 365 down on to demonstrate the capability of their products and run into the same problems I did with the so-called open WiFi which locked up my smart phone.  Needless to say, the Microsoft machines were loaded with Office and they had instructors to hand to demonstrate it.  Which was great, because the real differentiator between the Windows 8 tablets and laptops and the raft of other tablets including the iPad and the Nexus products is the ability to use functional business tools like Office.

From my playing with the various laptops, and there were some seriously sexy models to play with, I think I'm sold.  Obviously the concern is that all the machines on display are turbocharged and beefed up to make sure Windows 8 runs like a dream - we've all experienced Microsoft products, especially new operating systems, only to  find that they run like a snail with an anchor strapped to its leg.  According to the specialists on hand, the new OS runs lighter and more efficiently than windows 7 and outstrips Vista many times over.  Not that beating Vista is an accomplishment to brag about.  I have to take Microsoft's word that Windows 8 doesn't need the hardware resources of a NASA rocket launch, but the interface works for me.  Apparently overlaying in a Windows 7 machine like mine is OK, but anything earlier than Windows 7 has to be uninstalled first, and when pinned up against the stands the Microsoft specialists admitted that removing Windows 7 is still the smartest move.

Pricing is a bit sensitive, though.  Currently if I want to upgrade my laptop to Windows 8 it costs £99.  It's not Microsoft's fault that Acer didn't anticipate the move towards touch-screen technology when they built my machine a couple of years ago, but I have to stop and rationalise that I'm not going to be able to enjoy one of the cooler aspects of the new OS if I retro-fit it on my laptop.  The joined up thinking interface is an attractive option, but I'm not sure it's worth nearly a ton when I have Windows 7 installed and working adequately.  If I could install on a couple of laptops for that price I'd be interested, I'm certainly keenly looking for any offers.  I think £50 a license would work for me.

Of course there are two versions of Windows 8 floating around, and the lower tier offering comes pre-installed on the Surface RT.  In fact, all the software on the Surface is pre-installed although you can download Windows 8 apps to expand it, obviously.  It's an extremely compelling device given its price - £399 including keyboard, Windows 8  and Office pre-installed.  The keyboard took a bit of getting used to - its a flat membrane with very little tactile feedback, however I reckon it does the job as well as protecting the device when in transit.  The basic model comes with adequate memory given that it is easily upgradable using micro SD cards or plugging external hard drives using the USB port - two critical omissions from devices such as the iPad.

Plus there's the Office software that lets you write using industry standard formats - try achieving that on your iPad too.  Microsoft reckon the screen surface area is larger than the iPad - it looked comparable in the hand but I didn't have an iPad available to compare the difference directly.  The downside is that it's not a business machine - you'll need to fork out for the pro version for that - and it won't connect to Microsoft Exchange.  At last something the iPad compares with.  To be fair, I've seen iPads linked to Exchange servers but it's hard work and, of course, there isn't anything particularly useful you can do with them once connected apart from access email, maybe.  OK, share photos and surf thin clients possibly, but probably not all of the proprietary stuff you use in work.  With this device you can access SkyDrive and share documents that way, or use good old email to send documents to your work account.  And all thin clients that work with Windows should work, although Microsoft admit there may be some legacy issues.  Anyway, at least the documents would be readable.

So, would I have a Windows 8 touch-screen laptop?  Like a shot.  Would I manage with a Surface?  For home and travel, absolutely, especially as its pitched at iPad prices but with tons more functionality built in.  It's probably not as rounded for mindless enjoyment as the iPad, but I use these things for reading, writing, spreadsheeting and surfing the web.  For work and more challenging tasks needing screen real estate I'd want a larger screen, but I see the future being a reasonably large touch-screen laptop with a full fat Windows 8 OS loaded, a Surface for round the house and travel, backed up by a seven inch tablet such as my Nexus.

Given my new shopping list, I guess I'd better sell a few more books!

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