Turk Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) By Mark Wilson on January 18, 2014 - 08:38AMEach release of Windows is awaited with great anticipation, and Windows 9 is certainly no different. With many users and reviewers disappointed with Windows 8.1 for one reason or another -- and the recent revelation that Microsoft employees look down on it -- this is going to be Microsoft's opportunity to redeem itself in the eyes of the masses.We should learn at least something about what to expect from Windows 9 at the BUILD developer conference in April, but what does Microsoft need to do to make the operating system a success? Let's take a look.Smoother transition between desktop and modern modesThis is probably the most contentious aspect of Windows 8.1. Some people love modern mode, others hate it. What many people find strange is the fact that both have been included and that switching between them is quite jarring. Whether modern mode could be dropped altogether -- which seems unlikely considering the Windows RT push -- or modern apps are tweaked to run on the desktop, it's clear that something needs to be done to improve user experience.A Start menu?The replacement of the Start menu with the Start screen has been hotly debated. Was it a smart move? One thing is for sure, it upset a lot of people. Some concessions were made in Windows 8.1, but there's room for a lot more. It's not clear that people are harking after a replica of Windows 7, or that they are resistant to change, but something better needs to be done. The Start screen is closely linked to the jolting experience of moving between desktop and modern modes -- it feels oddly unnatural.Shared code-baseThe unification of Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox is something that has long been talked about. Steps have been taken to provide a similar experience on each of the platform, but there is more than can be done. With a shared code-base, there is more scope for sharing apps between devices, and this is something that would benefit Windows Phone.Wider user testingThere's over a year to go until Windows 9 is made widely available, but it's likely that there will be a public preview available. What would make sense is if this is release in a timely fashion so programmers have time to address any major concerns that may be raised. While not exactly a flop, Windows 8.1 has hardly been a roaring success -- it has received little critical acclaim -- and Microsoft simply cannot afford for this to happen with two releases in a row.Moving to the cloudThis is a transition that is already well underway, but online services should be more tightly integrated into Windows 9. Why should the likes of Skype not be streamed without the need for installation? It works with Office and there is great potential for this idea to be expanded into other areas. Users should be freed from worrying about whether or not the software they need is installed and left to concentrate on simply using their computer.No price tagMake Windows 9 free. There are plenty of other revenue streams that can soften the blow, and it would do a lot to sweeten the deal for those soured by Windows 8.1. A move to a shared code-base would make this easier and cheaperMobile supportOut-of-the box interoperability between Windows and each of the three main mobile platforms would really give Windows 9 the edge. Imagine just being able to plug in your iPhone, Windows Phone or Android and have it automatically backed up without having to worry about installing third party tools! How much easier would that make life?Shared desktopsEver-increasing numbers of people work on more than one computer. Windows 8 introduced the idea of syncing settings, apps and customizations between computers, but this could be taken so much further. Software licenses should be tied to Microsoft accounts so all app are available on any system. But more than this, desktop state should be synchronized through Microsoft accounts. The ability to move seamlessly from one computer to another, just pick up from where you left off using any computer with an internet connection could be Windows 9's killer feature.Kinect on the desktopThis doesn't really need any further explanation. It can be done, and it should be done. Now. It's not just cool, but it would have massive accessibility implications. Eye movement tracking and motion detection could open up Windows to a market previously unable to use a regular computer. It could also serve as a way of enticing more people into gaming. Not everyone can afford an Xbox One, but the idea of trying out games on an existing computer would appeal to many people -- particularly with the added attraction of Kinect.What’s on your wishlist? Is there anything you would like to see from Windows 9, or anything that you think Microsoft absolutely must do in order to succeed?http://www.winbeta.org/news/hey-microsoft-what-we-want-windows-9 Edited January 18, 2014 by Turk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackchildcx Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) I m sure they want forget the success of win 8... :lol: Edited January 19, 2014 by Blackchildcx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weylin Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hey Microsoft, This is What We Want in Windows 91. A choice between a tablet and desktop environment. The only Windows App I use is Weather.2. The ability to play most media without extra installs. Don't get Ubuntu on us.3. A more intuitive experience. No one showed me how to use my iPod and it didn't come with any instructions. Get it?4. A better file manager. Sure I can (and do) install a 3rd party file manager but I shouldn't have to. Look to Speedcommander, the expensive and modern version of a file manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badrobot Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 How about an optional theme? Win 8 theme (with metro) and Win 7 theme (with start menu). This way there is no need to push the metro down our throat. It shouldn't be so hard since you are also developing desktop themes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davmil Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I think asking for free is unfair and unreasonable. Would you ask as much of your own work? What we need is a tiered, flexible solution wherein professionals and technically inclined users could get a 'heavy duty / work a day' front end and people who use computers to play games, movies, a little mail & browse could get something oriented toward them. Scale the price to the options (not unlike today's model in some ways). The current option to 'upgrade the OS to a different version' in Win7 & Win8 is a good idea. And M$FT, get that metro UI back in the cage, puleeze. Let users pick which UI they want at install with the option to change or even get both if that's what they want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbmak Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Just "Keep It Simple Stupid," and don't get creative. A plain Windows classic desktop is already very good. You can have all those new creative ideas such as metro UI added to the desktop at a optional features, but in the mean time, don't kill those functions or features that are already working really well, such as the start button and menu.Windows 9 should be a plain desktop with Windows Classic theme, and with optional addons, themes(...3.1, 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, Ubuntu, OSX), and features to allow people to install. Edited January 19, 2014 by bbmak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardecl Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) 1. Fix the core OS problems, upgrade the filesystem to something more like EXT4 (less fragmenting problems (yes I know SSD is there, but I like storage too), better error recovery, faster).2. Upgrade the GUI (not replace with touch UI), add the touch desktop to the actual desktop by default with windows overlays for compatibility. Add the ability to have multiple screens (not desktops) so you can run a program in it's own screen, use the start bar to switch between programs like you do now to get to those screens and a home button to get back home... that way a program like Office, Photoshop or any other program that may have multiple windows could bet set to it's own screen (and own resolution, UI scaling) not interfering with anything else. You could even sandbox screens.3. More customization, animated desktops?, GUI scaling for all apps, tabbed explorer window.4. Software install center, a place where you can add software from multiple sources that auto update (rather than use each programs built in updater). Think of Linux repositories.Those are real feature upgrades. Edited January 19, 2014 by edwardecl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-Sam Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Choices.....1."Pre patched for third party themes"... 2."Areo on/off" 3.and a better explorer..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paft Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) thanksssssedit: I must of accidentally replied to this instead of something else because I don't know why I said "thankssss" Edited January 29, 2014 by Paft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 Windows 9 Features: What we want to see from ‘Threshold’ By Gordon Kelly 27 January 2014 The modern UI Scaling Control Search Walled Garden http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/windows-9-features-what-we-want-to-see-from-threshold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 What We Need from Windows 9: A Wish List By Brien Posey 01/29/2014If Microsoft wants its next OS to be a success, it should look to what made Windows XP so popular.Easy to useSecurityResponsivehttp://redmondmag.com/articles/2014/01/29/needs-for-windows-9.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts