Eh, I think windows 8 looks like TOO BIG of a step in the simplification process. At least through Lion they seem to be slowly getting us primed for the iOS OS but windows 8 looks like a dive straight into the deep end (which could be great if they pull it off flawlessly, but such an extreme change would need to be PERFECTLY played out) and MS isn't too savvy with such feats as of late
Microsoft actually did a really good job with Windows Phone 7 and was very well received by the media. I actually used a Windows Phone 7 device for about 6 months before getting the iPhone 4, and was thoroughly impressed by it. I was running it on a device that was not Windows Phone 7 native (hacked HTC HD2) and it was as smooth, if not smoother, than iOS. Plus the integration of services and data onto the home screen and the various hubs makes iOS's dated system of notification badges and page after page of icons look a little antiquated. (I realize that iOS 5 will change a lot of that).
Windows Phone 7 receives high praise from reviewers, however, Windows Phone 7 entered the market too late, with iOS dominating the field and Android not too far behind. A few key features were missing at launch (as was the case with the first iteration of iOS and Android), but in terms of the software itself, they did a really good job.
Windows Phone 7 was not received well by the market because their reputation was tainted by years of of their lack of innovation with Windows Mobile and their blunder with Vista, which is ultimately holding them back. Which is why its refreshing to see them take some risks with Windows 8. I think if Windows 8 has the same level of polish as Windows Phone 7, it has the potential to be great. And they aren't abandoning the 'legacy' approach to Windows entirely....in fact it will exist within Windows 8, and I'm sure you'll be able to disable the new UI and work entirely in the old system if need be.
They also did a really good job with Windows 7, which is well received by the media and users. It's quietly replacing XP as the standard Windows OS.
The interesting thing about PC users is as much as they complain about how antiquated MS products tend to be, they are extremely resistant to change. Look at the uproar that occurred when Windows XP first hit the market....or Office 2007. People hated them because they were too far a departure from what people were used to...and many complained that they were over simplifying the interface. But as people started to familiarize themselves with the updates, the changes they made started to make sense, and these became the industry standard.
