Bill Gates: Android and iOS tab users will eventually switch to Windows

[Renzatic]

I know the issue with that is the crappy job MS has done in making Win8 a tablet OS.

I wouldn't say they've done a crappy job, so much as released one only half finished. If MS could get the WinRT API up to old Win32 levels in terms of power and flexibility, along with streamlining some of the looser ends present in Win8, it'd be fairly decent.

As is, Metro feels more like a foot in the door measure than a complete OS by itself. Really, that's the problem with MS' entire tablet strategy in general. They have a ton of good ideas, and I like the general direction they're going, but the execution of said ideas leaves a good bit to be desired. It's a lot of promise only half implemented.

 

[b166er]

My guess - tablets are just about peaking

Just my two cents, but I'd have to disagree. The tablet, most notably the iPad, killed the netbook. Netbooks are all but extinct now. While I don't anything can ever really replace a true laptop, the tablet has become the standard for the average persons computing needs. Think about what most people use the internet for on a daily basis. Email, facebook (or whatever social network), and not much else. Add to that the app market (both iOS and Android) which allows people to use their tablets for basically everything from banking to netflix, and you have a device that is much more portable, and much more affordable, that in a lot of ways does what a laptop can't do.

Now if you're doing anything serious like video editing or actual photography, you're probably using a real computer. But for the most of us- tablets do it all and more. I think the tablet market is just getting revved up. I think in the coming years we are going to see very insane specs and features at the same price points.

 

[spinedoc77]

I wouldn't say they've done a crappy job, so much as released one only half finished. If MS could get the WinRT API up to old Win32 levels in terms of power and flexibility, along with streamlining some of the looser ends present in Win8, it'd be fairly decent.

As is, Metro feels more like a foot in the door measure than a complete OS by itself. Really, that's the problem with MS' entire tablet strategy in general. They have a ton of good ideas, and I like the general direction they're going, but the execution of said ideas leaves a good bit to be desired. It's a lot of promise only half implemented.

Yes I agree about it being only half done, but by the same token I don't really see why Metro needs to exist when all they needed to do was work on making their desktop touch friendly. As for WinRT it needs to die a quick death, it will confuse consumers and fragment the market, it is a failed experiment that is dragging MS down.

I think Metro was their attempt to "look" mobile, to look similar to their windows phones, to have a fresh and modern "mobile" look. But they needed to fully make the leap, not just put a "mobile" wrapper over the desktop.

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Just my two cents, but I'd have to disagree. The tablet, most notably the iPad, killed the netbook. Netbooks are all but extinct now. While I don't anything can ever really replace a true laptop, the tablet has become the standard for the average persons computing needs. Think about what most people use the internet for on a daily basis. Email, facebook (or whatever social network), and not much else. Add to that the app market (both iOS and Android) which allows people to use their tablets for basically everything from banking to netflix, and you have a device that is much more portable, and much more affordable, that in a lot of ways does what a laptop can't do.

Now if you're doing anything serious like video editing or actual photography, you're probably using a real computer. But for the most of us- tablets do it all and more. I think the tablet market is just getting revved up. I think in the coming years we are going to see very insane specs and features at the same price points.

Yep, I have no doubt that Tablets will replace laptops, we just have to get to the point where it's feasible to have the power of the strongest laptops out there in a thin form factor with all day battery life. Tablets will come in all sizes so if you want a 15" one you can have one. IMO iOS and Android while initially propelling us forward from a hardware point of view are now holding us back from this because of the weakness of the OS'. I can easily see Android picking up the slack and moving more towards a real OS, but then again seeing how Google fragments itself, for example having the Chrome OS, I don't know if they will ever just completely back one OS like MS does. Apple I see much less inclined to evolve, but then again they have OSx they can work off of.

 

[HenryDJP]

Looks like Bill Gates is either on Vicodin or some type of drugs or drunk for even thinking his prediction of the tech world going back to WINDOWS is gonna happen. LOL. Sorry Bill but the tech world is moving away from the good old Registry crap and MS's shameless monopoly. Thankfully there's finally a way out of the snake pit. He still doesn't get it, times have changed and not everybody needs to run Office or Windows apps anymore. Dream on Bill. MS's becoming a loser. Their CEO is already pouring the gas to light the flame.

 

[Switchback666]

Looks like Bill Gates is either on Vicodin or some type of drugs or drunk for even thinking his prediction of the tech world going back to WINDOWS is gonna happen. LOL. Sorry Bill but the tech world is moving away from the good old Registry crap and MS's shameless monopoly. Thankfully there's finally a way out of the snake pit. He still doesn't get it, times have changed and not everybody needs to run Office or Windows apps anymore. Dream on Bill. MS's becoming a loser. Their CEO is already pouring the gas to light the flame.

"Windows 8 Exceeds 100 Million Licenses Sold, Windows 8.1 Coming Later This Year"http://ow.ly/kNf5O

 

[mib1800]

Y

Yep, I have no doubt that Tablets will replace laptops, we just have to get to the point where it's feasible to have the power of the strongest laptops out there in a thin form factor with all day battery life. Tablets will come in all sizes so if you want a 15" one you can have one. IMO iOS and Android while initially propelling us forward from a hardware point of view are now holding us back from this because of the weakness of the OS'. I can easily see Android picking up the slack and moving more towards a real OS, but then again seeing how Google fragments itself, for example having the Chrome OS, I don't know if they will ever just completely back one OS like MS does. Apple I see much less inclined to evolve, but then again they have OSx they can work off of.

I highly doubt Android/IOS in a tablet can replace laptops no matter how powerful these OSes become. How do you start from scratch and replace what the Window platform have now? Even Mac OS hardly make a dent on Windows domination (even many who bought Macs to run Windows)

Excluding those that only casually use Windows laptop for surfing/email most serious works are still done on Windows. If ever touch screen tablets were to replace the current laptops/desktop, it will most like run Windows.

 

[spinedoc77]

I highly doubt Android/IOS in a tablet can replace laptops no matter how powerful these OSes become. How do you start from scratch and replace what the Window platform have now? Even Mac OS hardly make a dent on Windows domination (even many who bought Macs to run Windows)

Excluding those that only casually use Windows laptop for surfing/email most serious works are still done on Windows. If ever touch screen tablets were to replace the current laptops/desktop, it will most like run Windows.

You misunderstood me, I don't think ios or Android would ever replace laptops, at least in their current iteration. IMO windows has the greatest chance of making tablets truly replace laptops.

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going back to WINDOWS is gonna happen. LOL. me.

I don't think the world ever moved away from windows. Tablet users have existed still using their computers, that's the weak point of having an ios or android tablet. In contrast I have no use for my laptop anymore since I got my windows tablet, I rarely even use my desktop.

 

[watchthisspace]

I doubt those over sized blocks are the future.

Metro is the reason i do not like upgrading to windows 8 (have no choice if i buy a new PC though) and did not want to use windows phone 8 as daily driver.

Even blackberry is using the traditional icon based UI which looks far better to me than those huge space wasting blocks on windows and windows phone.

In my 16 years of using windows, this is the first time i am strongly considering purchasing a mac as my next computer. Bill Gates must be on crack.

Not trying to take a digg at you, but when you say that Blackberry is using the traditional icon based, UI, then what is Windows Phones space wasting blocks?? They are icons too. Icons representing an application on the phone.

What makes these "Space wasting blocks" unique is that instead of being static or having a badge to inform the user there is a notification, they actually show more information in live time. Hence why they are called live tiles.

When you talk about Windows 8, yes, I can agree that modern ui (It's not labelled Metro anymore) doesn't suit the desktop OS but on Windows Phone, it's good.

 

[sentinelsx]

Not trying to take a digg at you, but when you say that Blackberry is using the traditional icon based, UI, then what is Windows Phones space wasting blocks?? They are icons too. Icons representing an application on the phone.

What makes these "Space wasting blocks" unique is that instead of being static or having a badge to inform the user there is a notification, they actually show more information in live time. Hence why they are called live tiles.

When you talk about Windows 8, yes, I can agree that modern ui (It's not labelled Metro anymore) doesn't suit the desktop OS but on Windows Phone, it's good.

Space wasting meaning they are oversized. Also I think a notification center would be better than live tiles. Consider having 30 apps with notifications and I doubt constantly searching for each live tile for an update is as fun as it looks at the start.

 

[theluggage]

The problem with that is most people don't need a traditional PC for their needs. And those that do own one or are issued one for work.

I'm not saying that tablets will go away, but the current "the answer is mobile technology! ...now what was the question?" madness will die down.

Microsoft's opportunity in the tablet market would be if/when employers who currently issue their employees with a PC start issuing them with a tablet instead. MS know how to sell to the corporate market and have a huge foothold. However, that foothold is based largely on legacy software designed for keyboard an mouse - which won't work well, if at all, on a tablet. The Surface Pro is clearly an attempt to cater for this market with a tablet/PC half-way house, but I suspect that it will get used more as a PC than a tablet, and will gradually be assimilated into the general class of 'laptop' (the same thing has already happened to the netbook).

Meanwhile, phones, mini-tablets and phablets will be the devices of choice for media consumption and communication.

Of course, if I thought this was more than just idle speculation I'd be off to the stock market to make a fortune rather than faffing around on an internet forum...

Aside: looking at Adobe's new pen & ruler set makes me think: when am I going to be able to buy the $10 App that makes the iPad or a Galaxy Note 10 work with my desktop machine like one of those "if you need to ask the price you can't afford it" Wacom Cintique tablets!?

 

[HenryDJP]

"Windows 8 Exceeds 100 Million Licenses Sold, Windows 8.1 Coming Later This Year"http://ow.ly/kNf5O

LOL, uh you do realize most of that 100 million licenses go to new PC's with Windows 8 preinstalled right? People don't generally buy a copy of Windows like they would buy a copy of OS X. You do also realize that PC's that are sold to the retailers are included in MS's "sales numbers" right? And that accounts for most of the sales numbers, sorry if you're believing otherwise. You also realize that buying a PC in a store you're forced to have whatever version of Windows that's preinstalled right? You do also realize that the average consumer isn't a techie or a geek and won't remove that rubbish Windows 8 and go back to 7 right? Also I hope you realize that there are tons of sheep that shop on QVC and other home shopping networks that will buy any PC that the TV show tells them to buy. I heard that QVC had massive returns of Windows 8 computers from unhappy customers. You also realize (at least I hope) that MS exaggerates POS numbers right? I mean they said that the Surface RT tablet sold out the first day at their retail stores, LOL, yeah that's because MS had very little stock in the first place but they tried to keep that quiet until the news came out.

Who gives a hoot how much Windows 8 is "selling", that's not indicative of people dumping iPads or even Android tablets in favor of Windows 8 tablets. In fact, don't count on it. Bill Gates may be one of the riches men in the world but he's old and delusional and his prediction ain't gonna happen.

 

[HenryDJP]

I highly doubt Android/IOS in a tablet can replace laptops no matter how powerful these OSes become. How do you start from scratch and replace what the Window platform have now? Even Mac OS hardly make a dent on Windows domination (even many who bought Macs to run Windows)

Excluding those that only casually use Windows laptop for surfing/email most serious works are still done on Windows. If ever touch screen tablets were to replace the current laptops/desktop, it will most like run Windows.

This kind of post is disturbing. I just love how some people seem to be upset at Apple dominating space in the tech world but here we are with a post like this that spells out that MS domination is the only domination that SHOULD exists.
You as a consumer you should be happy that there are other choices outside of Microsoft. The world has gotten tired of being forced to use Windows and you are in another world if you think MS will always be dominant. They've monopolized the world enough. "Mac OS hasn't made a dent in Windows domination." Are you listening to yourself with a post like that? Windows comes preinstalled on any PC that is not a Mac. It's certainly isn't about choice, it's about cheap and if a person wants cheap Windows is the only option. Well people are realizing that they don't need Windows to fulfill their needs and the iPad is the one that is being chosen by businesses, hospitals, banks, insurance agencies and the ever popular home user.
See, unlike MS who pushes Windows in the users face in order to maintain domination, Apple offers a product that people CHOOSE to use and it earns itself domination that way.

 

[Rogifan]

Hey Bill, give me a surface pro that's thin and light like a iPad mini and gets 10 hour battery life and the maybe we'll talk. I'd be curious to know how many people who own surface pro (or other hybrid laptops) actually use them as tablets.. I mean how often do you see surface advertised without the kickstand and keyboard, or in portrait orientation?

 

[CEmajr]

I agree to a degree. The lack of true laptop replacement capabilities is what has kept me from investing in an iPad or any tablet at all for that matter. As of right now I just can't find a significant enough use for them that justifies their price. I currently see the Macbook air as a better option for ultraportable computing.

Now if Microsoft can get a tablet to market that can truly serve as a low to mid-end laptop replacement, then I will be interested.

 

[Michael Goff]

Hey Bill, give me a surface pro that's thin and light like a iPad mini and gets 10 hour battery life and the maybe we'll talk. I'd be curious to know how many people who own surface pro (or other hybrid laptops) actually use them as tablets.. I mean how often do you see surface advertised without the kickstand and keyboard, or in portrait orientation?

So you want something with an i-processor that's as light as an 8" tablet while being a 10" tablet while getting the battery life of an underpowered ARM processor?

Why not ask for the easter bunny while you're at it.

 

[SMDBill]

"Windows 8 Exceeds 100 Million Licenses Sold, Windows 8.1 Coming Later This Year"http://ow.ly/kNf5O

Judging a MS product like the OS or Office by quantity sold is a pretty deceptive exercise. While their numbers are huge, that doesn't suggest people either like it or want it. Almost every new PC coming to market carries Windows 8. That alone will drive the numbers. Businesses mostly rely on MS as well, as does the federal and most local governments, the military, etc. So while the numbers are large, many are locked into the market by Windows and Office for reasons other than just desire to buy a product.

But I do suspect the high sales numbers for Apple somewhat reflect user aggravation with Windows. It's not a terrible product at all, but the UI was simply not implemented well enough to meet the needs of all devices. To use it to (attempt) to grab phone and tablet sales at the expense of their massive PC market is just mind boggling.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

"Windows 8 Exceeds 100 Million Licenses Sold, Windows 8.1 Coming Later This Year"http://ow.ly/kNf5O

http://www.technightowl.com/2013/05/about-those-100-million-windows-8-sales/

 

[jrswizzle]

Just my two cents, but I'd have to disagree. The tablet, most notably the iPad, killed the netbook. Netbooks are all but extinct now. While I don't anything can ever really replace a true laptop, the tablet has become the standard for the average persons computing needs. Think about what most people use the internet for on a daily basis. Email, facebook (or whatever social network), and not much else. Add to that the app market (both iOS and Android) which allows people to use their tablets for basically everything from banking to netflix, and you have a device that is much more portable, and much more affordable, that in a lot of ways does what a laptop can't do.

Now if you're doing anything serious like video editing or actual photography, you're probably using a real computer. But for the most of us- tablets do it all and more. I think the tablet market is just getting revved up. I think in the coming years we are going to see very insane specs and features at the same price points.

Just look at the latest smartphones being released - the CPU/GPU benchmarks are matching the laptops we had only 6ish years ago.

IMO, the tablet will continue to evolve and continue to cement its place as the go-to computing device for the average user.

Laptops of course will continue to exist as will desktops.

That is until our mobile devices get so powerful we can simply dock them and run everything from our phones hooked to a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

 

[Night Spring]

That is until our mobile devices get so powerful we can simply dock them and run everything from our phones hooked to a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

Can't wait until we get that -- something small and light that is pocketable. Standalone it's the phone, but snap it into the back of a tablet-size display to make it a tablet, and snap it into a desktop docking station to connect to a big display and full desktop keyboard. And the OS should sense which mode it is in and adjust accordingly.

I do hope somebody makes this one day...

 

[ihuman:D]

Even though I'm a WP fanboy, this is too much. Who does he think he is and where did he get this ridiculous idea from!?

 

[spinedoc77]

Hey Bill, give me a surface pro that's thin and light like a iPad mini and gets 10 hour battery life and the maybe we'll talk. I'd be curious to know how many people who own surface pro (or other hybrid laptops) actually use them as tablets.. I mean how often do you see surface advertised without the kickstand and keyboard, or in portrait orientation?

Done. Atom powered tablets. Granted the horsepower isn't the same, but in day to day use you will never notice it.

 

[Michael Goff]

http://www.technightowl.com/2013/05/about-those-100-million-windows-8-sales/

I love the smell of a pointless opinion piece in the morning.

 

[TheHateMachine]

http://www.technightowl.com/2013/05/about-those-100-million-windows-8-sales/

I am surprised he took a little bit of time off from writing Apple defense force and worship articles to bash a product from Microsoft.

Also, correct me If I am wrong but he states in his article that Apple only reports "sales" but are they lumping their "shipped" in with that when they sell to carriers and retailers?

 

[ugahairydawgs]

I am surprised he took a little bit of time off from writing Apple defense force and worship articles to bash a product from Microsoft.

Also, correct me If I am wrong but he states in his article that Apple only reports "sales" but are they lumping their "shipped" in with that when they sell to carriers and retailers?

Someone else may be more knowledgeable on this, but I've always been under the impression that Apple's sales number are actual end user sales.

I could be wrong on that though.

 

[Switchback666]

LOL, uh you do realize most of that 100 million licenses go to new PC's with Windows 8 preinstalled right? People don't generally buy a copy of Windows like they would buy a copy of OS X. You do also realize that PC's that are sold to the retailers are included in MS's "sales numbers" right? And that accounts for most of the sales numbers, sorry if you're believing otherwise. You also realize that buying a PC in a store you're forced to have whatever version of Windows that's preinstalled right? You do also realize that the average consumer isn't a techie or a geek and won't remove that rubbish Windows 8 and go back to 7 right? Also I hope you realize that there are tons of sheep that shop on QVC and other home shopping networks that will buy any PC that the TV show tells them to buy. I heard that QVC had massive returns of Windows 8 computers from unhappy customers. You also realize (at least I hope) that MS exaggerates POS numbers right? I mean they said that the Surface RT tablet sold out the first day at their retail stores, LOL, yeah that's because MS had very little stock in the first place but they tried to keep that quiet until the news came out.

Who gives a hoot how much Windows 8 is "selling", that's not indicative of people dumping iPads or even Android tablets in favor of Windows 8 tablets. In fact, don't count on it. Bill Gates may be one of the riches men in the world but he's old and delusional and his prediction ain't gonna happen.

Same **** about osx man lol seems to me you just dont like windows ? About the sheeps well......

You have actually describe buying mac, hilarious.

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http://www.technightowl.com/2013/05/about-those-100-million-windows-8-sales/

Aslong is in peoples hand thats what matters ! lol i guess you guys think microsoft big seller is windows NOT.