Who Is Innovating in Personal Computers?

iPhone

Tablets

Laptops

Computers

While Apple is frequently pushing the edge with its iPhone its play in the PC space is lagging substantially.  Who is the leader now?  One article says it is Microsoft.

The software company that ruled the world once upon a time is doing pretty well with hardware today.  Worth a read.  Here is a snippet from the piece:

...today, the company is making the most visionary computers in the industry, if not the best machines, period. In the last two years, while Apple has focused mainly on mobile devices, Microsoft has put out a series of computers that reimagine the future of PCs in thrilling ways.

Here is the full story:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/technology/microsoft-pcs-apple.html

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

BRotD - Entry 0249 Microsoft vs. Apple

Best Reading of the Day

The never ending war continues.  It is as if the novel "1984" was actually about computer wars struggling for the hearts and minds of customers everywhere (not to belittle the tragedy of war).

Great read though:

http://www.cio.com/article/3188853/it-industry/microsoft-vs-apple-strategies-change-but-the-battle-continues.html

Here is a snippet from the piece:

The Microsoft vs. Apple argument is getting old. At this point, it's safe to say there's enough room in the enterprise for both tech giants. Still, it's difficult to ignore when one starts to surpass the other in either enterprise or consumer popularity.

Earlier this month, Apple revealed to TechCrunch that Windows 10 is four times as popular as macOS or OS X, with 400 million estimated devices running Microsoft's OS. And earlier in 2016, Microsoft claimed that disappointment over the MacBook Pro drove sales of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4.

Although the numbers suggest Windows 10 is more popular, it's also important to note that Windows 10 is available on more tablets and laptops than macOS or iOS, with greater options for entry-level and budget models. It's easier to own multiple Windows 10 devices on a budget, compared to Apple's smartphones, tablets and notebooks.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

BRotD - Entry 0248 - Mac vs. PC - Has Apple Left the Building?

Best Reading of the Day

I've always been brand agnostic when it comes to computers.  Whatever works is what I'll invest my money in.  So I've always kept an eye on the major competitors in the space.  For decades that has been Apple Mac and Windows PC.

One die-hard Mac user has given up on Apple and sees a lot to love about the new direction Microsoft is going.  Great read if you enjoy these sorts of things:

https://medium.com/charged-tech/why-i-left-mac-for-windows-apple-has-given-up-b48c0eaac64#.lpofyg332

Here is a snippet from the piece:

If you ask anyone who knows me, I’m probably the biggest Apple fan they know. Ask for a suggestion of what computer to get, and I’ll almost certainly either tell you the MacBook Pro, or to wait, because Apple is about to update its hardware finally.

But recently, I realized I’d gotten tired of Apple’s attitude toward the desktop. The progress in macOS land has basically been dead since Yosemite, two years ago, and Apple’s updates to the platform have been incredibly small. I’m a developer, and it seems to me Apple doesn’t pay any attention to its software or care about the hundreds of thousands of developers that have embraced the Mac as their go-to platform.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

UX for Mobile - Menu Navigation Methods and the Hamburger Stack

I've referenced the following article a few times in my professional life and found I hadn't grabbed it for my professional blog.  I'm correcting that oversight now.

Ever wonder how and why we build the ways we choose to navigate in your favorite apps?  Have you ever used an app, or website, and thought you had a great "experience" using it, or, more likely, a terrible experience?

Read on:

http://thenextweb.com/dd/2014/04/08/ux-designers-side-drawer-navigation-costing-half-user-engagement/

Here is a snippet from the piece:

So, you have a mobile app where there are more pages or sections than can fit on a mobile screen at once. Your first thought might be to create a tabbed design, with a row of tabs along the top or buttons along the bottom.

But wait… that extra row of tabs or buttons wastes a lot of valuable real estate on a small mobile display, so let’s not do that. Instead, let’s move the options into a side menu, or side drawer, as our Android team keep reminding me it’s called.

Here is one more article on this:

http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/24/before-the-hamburger-button-kills-you/

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Microsoft Surface Book and Pro 4

Big announcements by Microsoft the other day as the company continues its transformation.  One piece of news is Windows 10 hitting well over 100 million users.  Wow.

This little story over on Wired.com is worth reading to see the future of hardware, today:

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/microsofts-surface-book-will-redefine-pcs-made/

Here is a snippet from the piece:

Microsoft’s Surface Book is the most exciting Windows laptop in years. Actually, aside from a few hot-rod gaming rigs, it may be the only exciting Windows laptop in years. That’s great news for people who’ve longed to long for a PC again. And it could be a nightmare for every other PC manufacturer.

If you missed the Surface Book announcement, you’ll want to get acquainted. It’s a 13.5-inch laptop with a killer display, maxed-out guts, a funky cool hinge, and a top half that detaches, like the saucer of the USS Enterprise, to become a thick, powerful tablet. Reattach the display face-up, and the Surface Book enters “draw mode,” which brings the full power of a discrete Nvidia GPU to bear on stylus-based sketches and similar applicationxs. It’s a beauty, it’s a beast, and at $1,500 it’s expensive but not ludicrously so.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Windows 10

I did it and it was very painless.  I upgraded my main desktop machine at home to Windows 10.  Piece of cake to do, and wow it is a really nice OS.

The nerd in me must admit it felt good, almost comforting, to once again be going through a Windows OS upgrade process. So, how about a couple good stories on this?

First is a review by CNet:

http://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-windows-10/

Here is a snippet from the review:

THE GOOD Windows 10 bridges the gap between PCs and tablets without alienating anyone. The new OS combines the best bits of old and new Windows features into a cohesive package, while correcting nearly all of the missteps of Windows 8. The upgrade process is mostly painless, and free for most Windows 7 and 8 users.

THE BAD Many of the new features will be lost on those who don't care about touch. Automatic, forced updates could spell trouble later on. Cortana's features are better suited for smartphones.

For those interested in the process used to develop this new version of the OS, to learn before launching, and to set up a flywheel of ongoing development for the new "Windows as a Service" concept read this excellent story that contains examples of A/B testing and much more:

http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/13/how-microsoft-built-and-is-still-building-windows-10/

Here is a snippet from that piece:

The Windows 10 team started with the basic capability of having multiple virtual desktops, then added functionality to see what users wanted: Over the release, the team would look to incorporate the top feedback items. First basic switching was added, then keyboard support was requested and implemented, then users asked about being able to sort contents in the taskbar that map to the desktop, and so on. Aul considers virtual desktops a “great example for where the feedback really led the development of the feature.”

Eventually, an A/B test was required. For the taskbar, there were two different ways to show your running apps: Display all the apps or display a filtered view, where for any given desktop you only see what you’re running in that desktop. Microsoft offered the options to two different groups and asked each how they liked their variant.

Microsoft has become a very different company today, and it looks like a change for the good based on the products and services beginning to come out of Redmond.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Mobile Work Tools

There is one fellow blogger I follow regularly over on ZDNet who covers all things mobile named James Kendrick.  His latest post is very cool for all things mobile.  Take a look:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/travel-with-a-surface-3-and-an-ipad-for-unrivaled-productivity/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Here is a snippet from his post:

The Surface 3 can stand alone on trips quite well, but don't overlook the benefit of taking a second screen. That doesn't sound very portable but it can be if you use a late model iPad, either size, with the Duet Display app.

Duet Display enables users to set up an iPad as a second monitor for Macs and recently for Windows PCs. It supports connecting the iPad to the Surface either via Wi-Fi or by a USB connection.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Windows 10 - Tablets, Desktops, Laptops, Hybrids, etc

The one operating system to rule them all?  If Microsoft has finally done it this should be pretty impressive.

Windows 10 is coming soon and here is a quick look at some core features:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2874400/windows-10-the-10-coolest-features-you-should-check-out-first.html#slide1

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

The Personal Computer is Back

Sales are doing just fine for PC's while the iconic iPad is in a decline.  Sounds like quite a reversal yet this author has been watching for the floor of PC sales for several years now and is not surprised at the leveling out we are seeing.

First up is news, pretty late to these pages, of declining iPad sales:

http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/11/26/ipad-sales-set-to-continue-decline-through-2018-says-idc-report/

Here is a snippet from that report:

The growth in tablet sales is facing a “massive deceleration” this year, according to a new report from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC). The report shows that year-over-year growth of the worldwide tablet market is slowing to 7.2%, down from 52.5% in 2013.

Next is a report from Dell and statements from Lenovo about their U.S. sales of personal computers:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102358800

Here is a snippet from that piece:

Dell CEO Michael Dell told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday his company is growing at a steady pace. "We've had eight quarters in a row of gaining [market] share in PCs," Dell said. "We did gain more share than the other top two competitors both worldwide and in the United States, the largest country market in the world."

Finally is one more take on Windows 10 and all of the features announced yesterday at Microsoft's big event:

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/windows-10-takes-huge-strides-to-correct-108767403494.html?src=rss

Here is a snippet from that piece:

On Wednesday, Microsoft showed the world more of Windows 10, which it expects to release later this year. All kinds of news emerged in the announcement today, but the biggest one is this: Microsoft has realized the foolishness of splitting Windows into two, and is taking giant strides to unify it back again.

Now, please allow me to get back to my reading on the Apple Watch.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Microsoft Windows 10

The big event today was Microsoft's Windows 10 event focusing on the consumer aspects of the new operating system.

Do you still use a Windows device?  I'm typing this on my Windows 7 laptop at work.  I have a Windows 8.1 tablet in my bag I was using in a meeting earlier today.  I just rebuilt my HTPC at home, connected to my new Ultra HD television, and am running Windows 7 on it for now.  I also have a Nexus 7, an iPad Air, and two iPhones running in my house.  I'm very interested in Windows and likely you are as well.

So what is Windows 10?

Here is an excellent piece from TheNextWeb that will tell you the major features of this new version of the flagship OS out of Redmond, WA:

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/01/21/everything-microsoft-announced-windows-10-event-one-handy-list/

Windows Holographic?  That isn't science fiction?  Here is a hands-on with the new HoloLens device from the folks at Wired.com.  Augmented reality.  Wow.

http://www.wired.com/2015/01/microsoft-hands-on/

Does this version of Windows solve all of the problems of Windows 8?  Looks like they got a lot right with this release.  I'm happy to see it will be a free upgrade.

So how do they expect me to use this version of Windows in my living room?

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

**UPDATE** I love this headline from ArsTechnica:
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/01/microsofts-new-interface-freaking-holograms/

**UPDATE #2** Biggest improvement may be the start screen.  I think this could actually work:
http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2015/01/21/windows-10s-new-start-screen/

MS Windows 10, Beacons, PayPal, and the New York Times

Quite a few pieces of news.

First is word on the next iteration of Windows, dubbed "Windows 10" by Microsoft recently (yes they jumped from Windows 7 to 8 to ... 10).  I'm on record saying Microsoft badly handled the advent of tablets with Windows 8, leaving desktop users and the Enterprise out of consideration.  Here is a good article on Windows 10:

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/windows-10-undoes-the-disaster-of-windows-8-mostly-98835840904.html?src=rss

Next is news on eBay spinning off PayPal.  Looks like the move to integrate PayPal with Samsung TouchID technology spurred Apple to kick PayPal out of Apple Pay.  The NYT is stating Apple Pay is changing retail permanently.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/01/technology/apple-pay-signals-new-era-at-cash-register.html

Beacons are in the news again in a few ways.

Beacons deliver for Marriott Hotels:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/235116/beacons-deliver-local-perks-at-marriott.html?edition=76551

Shopkick is acquired:

http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/shopkick-acquired-amid-growing-importance-for-beacon-enabled-shopping

Macy's doing much more than just Beacons:

http://risnews.edgl.com/retail-news/Macy-s-Rollout-Goes-Beyond-Beacons95568

Facebook has added the ability to purchase items directly from your news feed.  As someone who cut back to weekly or monthly visits to Facebook I view this as one more bad idea from Facebook.

http://www.mobilepaymentsinsider.com/2014/09/26/facebook-adds-buy-button-to-news-feed/

Finally is a bit about the continuing problems traditional printed news is having. The New York Times is laying off staff to cut costs.

http://recode.net/2014/10/01/the-new-york-times-app-plan-isnt-working-so-its-laying-off-staff/

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Best Reading of the Day - Entry 0133 Tablet Sales and Online Groceries

A couple of very good stories are worth your time.

First up is a story on the implication of rising Tablet Sales:

http://www.pymnts.com/in-depth/2014/what-rising-tablet-sales

Here is a snippet from that piece:

Apple released the first version of the iPad in 2010 and since about 2012 analysts, journalists and technology enthusiasts have been predicting the day that tablet would dethrone the traditional computer in all major use categories and ring in the new era of eCommerce.

So far, this has not exactly happened. From the vantage point of mid-2014, a lot of tablets have been sold and the technology has certainly improved, but on the surface not much as changed. Traditional computers still represent the majority of computing devices sold, and when it comes to using the Internet for a determined purpose like shopping —the desktop (or laptop) remains go-to tool of choice.

Next is a story about online groceries:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/07/08/retail-profit-online-grocery-sales

Here is a snippet from that piece:

Big retailers are taking a calculated hit to margins to invest in online grocery operations, in the hope they can persuade consumers to add more profitable items such as clothes and computers to their orders of fruit and vegetables.

Food has been one of the last things to move online because complex logistics for fresh, chilled and frozen products make it an expensive business. Retailers are also reluctant to lose the potential for the lucrative impulse buys that occur in-store.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Microsoft Tablets - Surface Pro 3 and ????

Microsoft is frantically trying to either catch up in the tablet space or leapfrog the competition, depending on who you listen to, by creating a device that is both a laptop and a tablet.

The announcement of the new Surface Pro 3 comes about a half a year after the Surface Pro 2.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-pro-3

Here is a pretty good review of the device:

http://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-surface-pro-3/

The biggest news might be what was missing.  Rumors were heavily inclined towards a Surface Mini and it did not appear.  Most revealing, however, was the lack of a Windows RT version in this announcement breaking the pattern established through the first two iterations of the Surface line.  Version 1 included the Surface and the Surface Pro.  Version 2 included the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2.  However, version 3 only included the Surface Pro 3.

What happened to Windows RT?

The current theory dominating the waves is this signals the death of Windows RT.  Left out of the discussion though is the recent acquisition of Nokia Devices by Microsoft and the Lumia line of products including the excellent Lumia 2520 Windows RT devices.

One criticism of the Surface line is a lack of clarity.  What are you getting and why would I get "less" of a Windows device in RT when I can get the "full" version?

My prediction is Microsoft is solving this problem by utilizing the existing Nokia line for Windows RT and will now target Surface exclusively to the high-end 'ultrabook' demographic.

Time will tell.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Best Reading of the Day - Entry 0113 Tablet Sales Flattening

This story on tablets is the best story I read all day:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2457318,00.asp

Here is a snippet from that piece:

With sales of tablets falling, the so-called "experts" are now re-evaluating predictions about tablets taking over the computing market. It never made sense in the first place.

All eyes are on the market share leader, Apple, whose iPad sales fell 16 percent during the first quarter. Some of this has to do with customers moving to Android tablets, but a downward trend is clear. The Microsoft Surface also took a beating.

As I've written about in this blog before Microsoft made a strategic mistake with Windows 8 by completely ignoring traditional PC users.  We still want our desktops and/or our laptops, we just like tablets as well.  Their changes to Windows 8, through Windows 8.1 and the pending Windows 8.1 Update 1 (what?) are moving more and more towards desktop friendly features.

Meanwhile the flattening of iPad sales just points investors to the lack of a new, sensational, product.

At home I have a desktop "main machine" with about 6TB of storage, a computer connected to my television (HTPC), three active tablet devices (Nexus 7, Windows 8, and iPad Air) and at work I have one laptop.  I also carry an iPhone.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Microsoft to Re-emphasize the Desktop

In an announcement that is no surprise to this writer Microsoft publicly acknowledged the need for Windows to better provide for the needs of desktop users.

This article on Computer World illustrates the statement:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246526/Microsoft_concedes_Windows_8.1_needs_more_for_mouse_keyboard_customers

Here is a snippet from the article:

Microsoft on Sunday publicly acknowledged what leaks had already shown, that the company will issue an update to Windows 8.1 this spring that provides more tools for owners of traditional PCs controlled by mouse and keyboard.

In a press conference at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and an accompanying blog post, Joe Belfiore, the executive in charge of Windows Phone's and Windows 8's user experiences, announced that the update will launch this spring, but did not put an official name on the revision or reveal a timetable.

Happy reading,

J.W. Gant

Best Reading of the Day - Entry 0073 Windows 9?

Microsoft has released Windows 8 and followed it up with Windows 8.1.  What is next?  The buzz is about turning to Windows 9 and we expect to hear official word this year about a 2015 release.

So why is this interesting reading?

The Innovator's Dilemma that we've already talked about in this blog and the issue of pricing as it relates to the Windows product line.  How can Microsoft continue to charge big dollars for its operating system when none of the competitors do so?  Android is free, Mac OS is free, iOS is free, Google Chromebooks come with a free operating system, but Windows still adds to the margins for tablets and everything else.

ZDNet has an excellent write-up on this subject:

http://www.zdnet.com/windows-9-price-and-microsofts-innovators-dilemma-7000025053/

Happy reading,

J.W. Gant