Analyst: Windows 8.1 won't fix apps that 'suck'

Doesn't everyone love analysts, always coming out with such fantastic opinions of the latest market developments. This week we're hearing some of those enthralling opinions from Michael Cherry, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft that has some harsh words to say about the state of Windows 8 and how Windows 8.1 won't fix any of these issues.

In an interview with Computerworld, Cherry chastised Microsoft for having a poor selection of apps, saying "Windows 8 sucks because Windows 8 apps suck." He goes on to say that in all the rumors surrounding Windows 8.1, the next major update to Windows 8, there's nothing that indicates the quality of apps will become better. In his opinion, unless Microsoft can fix the apps problem, nothing else that they can do with Windows 8.1 will make much difference.

Everyone's obsessed with the look of the thing. What do I care about a Start button in Windows 8 if I spend all my time on the desktop? It's the lack of good applications [that's hurting Windows]. And from what I can tell, developers aren't going to get anything from Blue. I don't see anything about apps getting better.

Cherry pointed to Microsoft's home-grown Windows 8 applications, such as the Mail, Calendar, People and Messaging app, saying that "if that's the best Microsoft can do [...] with their resources, it's no surprise that there's not a [third-party] app worth a darn." Microsoft has been heavily criticized for the quality of the first-party apps in Windows 8, especially around the launch, and it's not clear if these apps will improve in the next major update.

Cherry's solution to Windows 8's problems is not to bring back the Start button or introduce more customization features, but instead to provide developers with documentation and inspiration to make quality apps. "Tell developers, 'We're going to get you all the assistance and all the documentation you need, we will create apps that are so full-featured that they will inspire you to write great apps,'" he said.

A lot of information surrounding Windows 8.1 (codenamed "Blue") is still unknown, although expect more to be unveiled not only through a steady stream of leaks, but also at Microsoft's BUILD conference mid-year, where a public preview of Windows 8.1 is expected to be unveiled.

Source: Computerworld via WinBeta