https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2020 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Best Practices


Microsoft Plans Windows 8 Preview at Mobile World Congress

  • Written by The VAR Guy 1
  • February 9, 2012

When you think Barcelona, Spain, you’re either thinking killer vacation or Mobile World Congress. But surprisingly, The VAR Guy is thinking about Windows 8, too. Microsoft has sent an official invitation to certain members of the press to come check out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview at special event during Mobile World Congress. Our resident blogger is intrigued, but will he be packing his bags? Read on …

A tip of the hat goes to InformationWeek for publicizing Microsoft’s Mobile World Congress invitation. (Alas, our resident blogger has been checking his inbox regularly but has yet to receive said invite.) But other than the invitation and the release and download date for the Consumer Preview, which is coming Feb. 29, 2012, there’s not much else to talk about. The VAR Guy wonders, What can we expect Microsoft to show off that it hasn’t already?

If you thought you got a decent window into Windows 8 during Microsoft’s BUILD conference, our resident blogger would be inclined to agree with you. But there is something slightly different here: Instead of the focus being on developers, Microsoft probably will be focusing on how Windows 8 fits around a consumer experience (duh), with home-use cases (photos, music, etc.) and a much-improved Metro interface with more native applications.

But why Mobile World Congress? Microsoft has no plans to put the Windows Phone 7 OS on tablets. Instead, Microsoft is revamping Windows 8 for a tablet/desktop “no compromise” experience. It’s arguably one of the most ambitious things Microsoft is doing in the consumer space. At Mobile World Congress 2012, the buzz likely will be around Android, with a pinch of iOS for good measure and maybe Windows Phone 7 at the tail end. But to have a whole event around Windows 8 at Mobile World Congress? Microsoft clearly wants Windows 8 in the spotlight.

Just take a look at all the Building Windows 8 blogs — between more streamlined network connectivity and push notifications, it’s clear Microsoft has one goal and one goal only: to show how mobile Windows 8 can be. The VAR Guy will reserve further speculation until the event, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t the least bit intrigued. Meanwhile, his suitcase stands at the ready. (Are you listening, Microsoft?)

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Best Practices Mobility

Related


  • Hacker looking at computer
    Fired Cybersecurity Chief Chris Krebs to Aid SolarWinds with Hack
    Chris Krebs was fired because he disputed Trump's claims of election fraud.
  • Opportunity Knocks
    SolarWinds MSP President: Rebrand Will 'N-Able' Partner Opportunity
    The "new" name is resurfacing from the high-profile 2013 acquisition of N-able, maker of the N-central software platform.
  • Channel Partners Virtual Banner Header CF
    Don't Wait for Fall's 'Homecoming' Channel Event — CP Virtual 2021 Is Coming Soon
    Content for Channel Partners Virtual doesn't take a backseat to what you get at our live events.
  • Security shield on digital background
    FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues
    How can SOAR help improve the security effectiveness of cyber defenders? Join Stephan Tallent, Sr. Director of MSSP and Service Enablement at Fortinet, as he discusses the benefits of SOAR and how it can help MSPs improve their client revenues.

3 comments

  1. Avatar Jack February 9, 2012 @ 2:07 pm
    Reply

    Putting regular Windows applications on a pad is probably the worst compromise ever wrt client computers.

    Having said that, they are only competing with themselves. Tablet PC’s never worked. That’s why iPad and Androids are successful.

  2. Avatar Dave Courbanou February 9, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
    Reply

    Hi Jack,

    Normally, yes, I’d say regular Windows applications on a tablet form factor is bad, but Windows 8 is about bringing desktop-class applications into a tablet-like experience when possible, but also using your Windows 8 tablet as a desktop computer when you get home and plug it into a dock. That’s the big-picture usability of Windows 8.

    We’ve covered Microsoft’s efforts quite a bit here on TVG. Be sure to check out some of our stories covering the Building Windows 8 Blog.

    Thanks for reading,
    -Dave

  3. Avatar Jack February 10, 2012 @ 12:00 pm
    Reply

    Hi Dave,

    Slight digression, but Lenovo has shown a similar thing with Android and Windows.

    AFAIK what Microsoft are talking about is basicly the MS Office suite and a few functions also originating from Microsoft. Nothing on 3rd party. That makes sense as the jungle is less coherent than for Mac or Linux.

    Keyboard docks for pads is nothing new, and the question is if MSO really is a dealbreaker. Is this setup sufficient or at all desireable for corporations?

    A pad screen (7 to 10 inches) is not really something you’d want to work with all day long. Shure, there are or have been pads up to 2x 14″ screens but then you are moving into the 13-14″ laptop sphere, and for those quite a few use external monitors.

    To me it seems like move to keep MSO relevant. It might be, but I do really question the excess that comes with MSO. It’s an elephant that “everybody” believe they must have, but in practice MSO is way over the top for most users. (I’ve been working for a coupple of world leading companies and believe me – a very large share of the professionals are nowhere near utilising the functionality of MSO or LibreOffice.

    Pads makes the excess very visible. Mac users are well aware that they get most things done with iWork, and LibreOffice is just about as excessive as MSO.

    I believe Corporations are interested in simplification, and I question whether MSO on pad is just that. Corporations would be better off standardising documents (business systems) and simplifying the tools.

    The “new standard” is HTML5, and companies like Visma have announced that “all their client software” will be HTML5.

    In my opinion the big corporations with loads of clerks are “doing something wrong” if most of the clerks are using MSO/LO for regular work. They compensate for missing functionality in their business systems.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • 11 iPhones, iPads and More that Sparked the Apple Ecosystem in 2020
  • MSP 501 Profile: Middleground Technologies Reaps Cloud Benefits
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the World — What’s Next for Cloud?
  • MSP 501 Profile: DCG Technical Solutions on the Managed Services Pivot

Galleries

View all

New, Changing Partner Programs: AWS, Tech Data, Avaya, Verizon

January 11, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Help Your Customers Mitigate Malware: Viruses, Worms, and Trojans…Oh My!

January 15, 2021

SMBs’ Cybersecurity Risk Awareness Is Rising

January 13, 2021

Your Cloud Data Is Protected, But Is It Portable?

January 12, 2021

Webinars

View all

Blueprint for a Scalable MSSP Practice in 2021

January 21, 2021

Who’s Behind the Mask? Hacker Personas Explained

January 26, 2021

How Managed Hosting Providers Thrive with the Alternative Cloud

February 24, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Subscription Business Model

January 15, 2021

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency

January 14, 2021

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools

January 14, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Virtual

March 2, 2021 - March 4, 2021

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@IBMServices snaps up #MSP Taos for #hybridcloud expertise. dlvr.it/RqggQR https://t.co/Fy3uPDtLNw

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@LenovoBusiness launches its thinnest #ThinkPad to date @CES, revamped ThinkBooks and #ThinkReality glasses.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 16, 2021
ChannelFutures

Help your customers mitigate #malware @Tech_Data #cryptolocker #antivirus #ransomware #cybersecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Advantages of the Subscription business model for MSPs and IT Resellers @kaspersky dlvr.it/RqgDJn https://t.co/ay694fudp3

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Cloud #distributor @Pax8 launches in UK with leadership team in place. dlvr.it/RqfJWx https://t.co/RsKDCowM5V

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

bit.ly/3oO2vFY twitter.com/Craig_Galbrait…

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

The Ultimate MSP Guide to Sales Efficiency @zomentum dlvr.it/Rqc63q https://t.co/rHIVLkR01K

January 15, 2021
ChannelFutures

Eight Reasons Why MSPs Need IT Industry-Specific Sales Tools dlvr.it/Rqc62k https://t.co/MQDcIYc7G9

January 15, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X