Microsoft may have jut released Windows 8 a month ago (33 days, in fact) but it's already hard-at-work on its successors. Reactions to Windows 8 have not been excessively popular, with reviewers saying that it fails to improve on Windows 7 and OEMs saying that it isn't helping boost shipments as much as they expected (see a previous post of mine for more information). Despite this, Windows 8 sales match early Windows 7 sales, with analysts saying that sales are "good if not great". So far, about 40 million copies of Windows 8 have been sold. In large part this is thanks to low-cost promotional offers, where Windows 8 could be scored for as little as $15 + tax. Microsoft is hoping that initial customer fears can be overcome and Windows 8 will eventually be a big success.
Despite the recent release of Windows 8, Microsoft is forging ahead with a new operating system. Likely to be called Windows 9, little to no information is available at this point. However, Microsoft officials have confirmed that it is under way and that it will "just work". Coming from the company that released Windows Vista and Windows 8, take that with a grain of salt.
Microsoft is also reportedly working on Windows Blue, which will be a low-cost (or perhaps even free!) version of Windows expected to be released in mid 2013. This signals Microsoft's (attempted) transition to a yearly release cycle, as it attempts to compete with the likes of Google and Apple. While Windows Blue will supposedly require a prior version of Windows to be eligible for installation, Microsoft seems to be counting on its low cost to lure in customers. We'll see--if they ditch Metro and bring back the Start Menu I'd buy it. Technology clearly changing in a big way, and this represents Microsoft's attempt to adapt to a world that is increasingly (and unfortunately) post-PC.
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