At Microsoft, this year was all about "reimagining Windows" and creating a more cohesive experience across PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
That rebirth came in the form of Windows 8, a completely revamped, touch-centric operating system that took many of its cues from the tiled Windows Phone interface. Gone was the start button and in its place was a colorful array of panels that looked much like the apps you might find on your favorite tablet or smartphone.
Microsoft didn't completely abolish the traditional Windows desktop experience. It's still there, but the focal point is the home screen previously known as Metro. As a result, many of the Windows 8-based devices that have been unveiled have a touch component ? convertible laptops with screens that lift off to become tablets, or tablets like the Surface that turn into mini PCs thanks to kickstands and covers that double as keyboards. Classic, non-touch laptops can also take advantage of Windows 8, but execution with a mouse is a bit clunky for some.
Windows 8 Becomes a Reality
Redmond kicked off the year with its last, official keynote at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES). Steve Ballmer (and Ryan Seacrest) was on hand to rave about all the innovation Microsoft had up its sleeve with Windows 8. There wasn't much in the way of announcements; the company saved that for Mobile World Congress the next month, when it unveiled the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
Over the next few months, the Windows team ? headed up by Steven Sinofsky ? penned several lengthy blog posts that provided details on key features in the new OS, from plans to ditch the "Windows Live" brand to the lack of DVD playback support in Windows 8. The team also revealed a rather boring Windows 8 logo.
In a surprising move, meanwhile, Microsoft revealed that it was not just working on Windows 8 software, but also had some hardware up its sleeve. At a June press event in Southern California, the company took the wraps off its own tablet, dubbed the Surface. The move had many wondering how its partner companies would take to having extra competition from Microsoft itself. There was also talk about whether Microsoft would branch into more hardware, like phones. Steve Ballmer later talked about a "fundamental shift" for Microsoft that would more closely tie the PC, tablet, and phone experience together ? much like Apple.
By August, Windows 8 was released to manufacturers, but shortly thereafter, Microsoft ran into some legal trouble with the name it had selected for its Windows 8 home screen ? Metro. Despite the insistence from Redmond that Metro was simply a code name that it always planned to phase out, there were reports that the move was prompted by a trademark challenge from Germany-based Metro AG. It is now just referred to as the Start screen.
The OS ? and the Windows RT version of the Surface tablet ? finally made its debut on Oct. 26. Microsoft launched holiday stores to show off its new products, and one month later, Microsoft said it had sold 40 million Windows 8 licenses.
In the wake of the Windows 8 launch, however, Microsoft announced that Sinofsky would be leaving the company. Sinofsky denied that his departure was due to his desire to merge the Windows and Windows Phone departments. The rumor mill suggested that Sinofsky simply clashed with the Microsoft higher ups and they did not want to work with him on the next iteration of Windows. Sinofsky recently announced that he will be teaching at Harvard.
Since the launch of Windows 8, meanwhile, there has been some chatter that the OS is off to a rather slow start. It seems it might take some consumers a bit longer to get on board with Redmond's complete reimagining. For more, see PCMag's full review of Windows 8.
Windows Phone 8
In addition to revamping its flagship Windows OS, Microsoft also gave its beleaguered mobile OS an upgrade just days after the launch of Windows 8. One sticking point, however, is that current Windows Phone 7 users will not be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8. They'll get a mini upgrade to something known as Windows Phone 7.8, but for the whole Windows Phone 8 experience, a new smartphone will be required.
Windows Phone made some modest gains in 2012 ? picking up a percentage point of market share here and there throughout the year. But it failed to truly make a dent in Apple iOS or Android, which dominated the mobile space thanks to the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy lineup of devices. Windows Phone has received high marks from reviewers and those who use the OS, but Microsoft still struggles to tear people away from their iPhones or Android gadgets. Can some high-profile spokespeople and a tie-in with Windows 8 help change that in 2013? And will Microsoft start making phones? Stay tuned. Until then, check out PCMag's review of Windows Phone 8.
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