Windows RT Moving Away from Freedom of Choice

Microsoft is starting to seem like it might be slowly edging to an unwanted platform with RT. For those wondering, Windows RT (formerly known as Windows on ARM) will be a version of the Windows 8 operating system for ARM devices such as tablets. The RT acronym does not officially stand for anything. 
Recently announced, applications that will run on RT has to be 'certified' by Microsoft to be added to the list of programs on their store. This means that similar to other platforms such as Apple's Mac, not all programs will effectively run on Windows RT if it hasn't been checked by MS to adhere to certain standards. 

Now, although this is good in practice, the one thing that made the PC as a computer original was its compatibility and changeability. With a PC computer you always have the choice of using computers like you want, customizing it completely. Sure, there were multiple compatibility problems with various systems, and there's no dodging away from that. But although not as open-formed as Linux, Windows gave you options by not limiting your choices. 

Windows 8 won't have this system yet, so its still free game, but the direction that Microsoft is moving might be a troubling one for those who enjoyed the freedom that a PC offered with Windows' open system. I personally also enjoyed the large choice I had with Windows and PC's so far, leaving me slowly losing even more faith in Microsoft's new business model.

Microsoft RT and why you can't say 'metro' anymore

The line between Netbooks, Notebooks and Tablets are slowly merging into one gigantic pool of confusion. Recently, with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft also announced a version of their software that would run on ARM devices, which in essence will be in between a tablet and a laptop. But what is Windows RT as it is called, and what makes it different?

Windows RT is simply abbreviated letters for Runtime, which is the name of the engine that runs the "Metro" apps. Unlike the regular version of Windows 8, RT will be sold directly to manufacturers and will be preloaded on RT devices. Those will often have a detachable keyboard, but also a touch screen so that it functions both as a laptop and a tablet. It will only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store, similar to a tablet or smartphone.
RT Tablets will supposedly have longer battery life, faster gesture support, NFC(Near Field Communication) and better graphics than other tablets, according to an article on Cnet.

This effectively creates a new level of computing device that falls somewhere between the currently popular tablets, and the more powerful notebooks or laptops. Netbooks have all but died in the market with the tablet revolution currently in effect.

Dell, Lenovo and Samsung will be developing Windows RT computers, and Asus has already announced a RT tablet in the works.
One version of the Microsoft Surface, their own tablet, will also run Windows RT.

Windows RT will not include Windows Media Player, but have a RT version of the new office.

With all the hype in tablets, Microsoft is really putting out to fit the market, and in my humble opinion, they are not doing a bad job. They have been aiming high since Windows 8's announcement and so far they have not dissappointed where the big picture is concerned. We will have to wait and see if the Windows RT tablets are feasible in a market where Apple and Samsung already flies high.

While we are on the subject of Microsoft, they have recently changed the official naming of the 'metro'-style appearance of Windows 8 to simply calling it Windows 8. The reason for this is that they are stepping lightly around using the name after German retailer Metro AG supposedly implied that they were unhappy with Microsoft using the name. According to MS, the name was more of a code name that they would slowly change away from when the OS was finally released, but personally I think the name will stay with us forever. The dreaded Metro, so user-friendly that people like me will dislike it because it is too automatic for my taste.

Microsoft is busy this year, and many are waiting for the release of Windows 8 in October when RT, Windows Phone 8 and the Surface will make their appearances. We'll see how it all pans out in the end.

Microsoft goes tablet

The Microsoft Surface

Microsoft has been busy this week. From announcing their expansion into the mobile market with the Surface, to the new Windows Phone 8, they have certainly pulled the spotlight on themselves this month.  When you think of Microsoft, you always think of their software, and the widely successful XBOX consoles. But, this week that changed.

Microsoft's business model has always been mostly software. Save for the gaming console expansion, they had concentrated all their money and work into their big software titles such as Windows, their games, and various other offerings such as Windows Phone.
With the announcement of the Microsoft Surface, one has to wonder what they are up to. It seems a bit out of their field of expertise, considering that most of their hardware offerings are made by third-party partners, such as the Windows Phones. But then again, they are good at surprising us.

The Surface is basically a standard tablet. It will run Windows 8, which with its 'metro' style tile system could be the ideal operating system in the case of mobile computing. Unlike many of its rivals, the Surface will come with a detachable touch-pad keyboard. This allows you to stand it up similar to a laptop or netbook computer. Various rumours are floating around the net, including things like Wi-Fi only connection options, a price tag that will range from $700 to $1000, and full integration with Live, which is of course the same way Windows 8 will work.

MS has been known to go extravagant on many things, and I'm sure this will be no exception. Include with the Surface the soon to be released Windows 8 (which we will assumedly see in the Northern Hemisphere fall) and the new Windows 8 phones that are coming out sometime next year, Microsoft is stacking their cards up on the new mobile venture.

We will have to wait and see what their future will hold.