Will Microsoft Release Its Own Windows 8 Tablet? 207
An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft isn't exactly known for its hardware prowess. Sure, it's churned out plenty of nice mice, keyboards, and game controllers over the years, but success with actual devices has been mixed. The Xbox 360 has exceeded all expectations, while the Zune and Kin hardware have been monumental failures. According to industry sources in Taiwan, however, Microsoft is working on a Windows 8 tablet that will be powered by Texas Instrument's next-generation 1.8GHz dual core processor."
Re:Windows Tablet (Score:2, Interesting)
Windows Tablet
This is just becoming an embarassment at this point. When is MS going to even try to compete? Windows tablets have been an abject failure in the consumer market for over a decade, Windows Mobile got stomped, Windows Phone is getting stomped and the kin lasted what, 2 months? Why can't Ballmer get it through his thick skull? Desktop Windows does not work on a tablet. Period. Why? Desktop Windows applications do not work on a tablet. It doesn't matter how many confusingly obfuscated skins you add over the top or how many "tiles" or useless UI paradigm flavors of the month you try to cram down people's throats. What you will end up with is a rehash of what happened to Windows Mobile which is when you drill through the skin, you get the ugly underneath that is the real operating system. No number of SPB shells or HTC Senses could do anything to stop the demise of WinMo and that is exactly what Microsoft is trying to do here with "big" windows. It didn't work then and it won't work now and all it is doing is further tarnishing their reputation in mobile and turning more consumers off.
What they need to do is what the current overwhelming market leader did, namely, make a touch centric operating system from the ground up add some great first party support and do whatever it takes to attract strong third party development. That's how the iPad is winning. Anything else, including this latest folly, is just throwing good money after bad.
Don Quixote would be proud.