Microsoft in 2008: 10 Predictions

Advertisement (Why?)

Mary Jo Foley, an online journalist often given the title of the Microsoft Watcher, has put together 10 predictions in regards to Microsoft and the upcoming year. Foley emphasizes that she made sure not to make any too easy predictions, such as SP3 giving Windows XP a boost or the first test build of IE8 becoming available. She decided instead to target the less obvious moves that she expects Microsoft to make in 2008. She notes that none of these things are confirmed, although they are all based on source and reader tips. Here they are in a nice list, but I do urge you to read the full article over at ZDnet:

Fiji resurfaces
Apple finally admits it licensed Microsoft ActiveSync
Games group housecleaning continues
Microsoft throws more dev weight behind FaceBook
Windows Mobile phones get Zuned
Office 14 hits beta
More Microsoft-hosted enterprise services to debut
OOXML will get the ISO nod
No Windows 7 news is good news
Former Adobe CEO chief joins Microsoft

View: Full Story

(6 replies) #1 Ogmius on 18 Dec 2007 - 19:47

if windows mobile phones go the way of the zune.... I may cry...

#1.1 NateB1 on 18 Dec 2007 - 20:58

...Out of sheer joy!

Seriously, Windows Mobile's interface needs a big facelift. Incorporating portions of the Zune's UI, say, in a "media" section, would do wonders for its usability.

#1.2 +shakey_snake on 18 Dec 2007 - 21:53

I doubt the mobile platform will undergo significant changes until it can be based on WinMin.

Windows 7 will run on practically everything.

#1.3 brianshapiro on 18 Dec 2007 - 21:55

Quote - (NateB1 said @ #1.1)

well honestly though Windows Mobile was good for when it was released.. but forward thinking has to be influenced by designs like the iPhone. Apple I think was able to get ahead faster because it entered the game late, while Microsoft was busy upgrading old versions. Along with learning the lesson of not doing it through partners.

Its just when people say Windows Mobile sucks, which I'm not sure you're doing, they have to look at it in that perspective.

#1.4 Dynames00 on 18 Dec 2007 - 23:36

windows mobile will undergo changes (possible dramatic) when the next major version is released

#1.5 linuxamp on 19 Dec 2007 - 04:20

Quote - From the summary

She decided instead to target the less obvious moves

Those sound more like Microsoft's dreams than "moves".

#1.6 +Smigit on 20 Dec 2007 - 09:43

Id say the UI will be shifted in such a direction that allows it to be better utilised by finger control as opposed to a stylus. Alot of the UI is probably fine for that such as the actual program layout screens where largish icons are in a grid, but other elements such as the start menu could probably do with the chop.

Infact I ordered a new phone 2 days ago. I was tossing up between a HTC TyTn 2 and the Nokia N95. While they are certainly quite different devices, I ultimatly based my decision more on the OS than anything as I wasn't sure I wanted the window UI on a phone. As a pda I'm sure it's fine but.

But yeah, I think next year you will see a big push to drive windows mobile into the consumer market and that that will come with a large UI redesign and maybe a rethink of the aplications included. Currently the devices seem to me at least to be very business focused with the OS mainly on PDA's and a few phones. After the iPhone theres no doubt MS will see the potential to market something to more casual users. Not only the iPhone but they will have googles Android OS to compete with as well.

#2 zeke009 on 18 Dec 2007 - 20:36

I'd be happy in Windows Mobile appeared on useful/reliable flip-phone or candybar phone. Zune it up all you want, just don't forget not all of your customers like the big Blackberry form-factor.

#3 Ogmius on 18 Dec 2007 - 20:53

windows mobile smartphone is on some flip phones, but its a dumbed down version of wm. Honestly if they could make a wm interface that was a bit more intuitive/customizable, that'd be awsome. I cant stand the zune interface, i hope they go something cooler than that

#4 MMaster23 on 18 Dec 2007 - 23:13

remember 6.1 is coming in H1/08 ... will bring carrousel UI

(2 replies) #5 r3volution on 19 Dec 2007 - 06:28

"Former Adobe CEO chief joins Microsoft" I laughed pretty hard that that one

#5.1 toadeater on 19 Dec 2007 - 07:07

Quote - (r3volution said @ #5)

He's the chief of all CEOs?

#5.2 RAID 0 on 19 Dec 2007 - 09:31

I did a double take one that one.

(1 reply) #6 C_Guy on 19 Dec 2007 - 15:53

Apple has a lot more to admit to than just Active Sync

#6.1 AWBrian on 19 Dec 2007 - 19:52

Quote - (C_Guy said @ #6)

Huh?

#7 acido00 on 19 Dec 2007 - 23:28

mmmmm i don't think so!

I think apple will release a new mobile product the next year

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Neowin.net