Big guess about Win9

Computer shop news: A movie that is not satisfactory to the audience often needs a more exciting sequel to boost the box office. The same is true for Microsoft's operating system. After Windows 8 has been criticized, how to build Windows 9 has become a concern.

It’s still too early to judge whether Windows 8 is successful or not, but it’s still necessary to discuss the legendary Windows Blue released in mid-2013. In our view, Microsoft's next version of the operating system must meet the user's transition from old-fashioned desktop operations to touch-based operations. Since Microsoft did not answer our questions about how to build the next version of Windows, we started brainstorming and giving advice to a group of professionals.

Thoroughly go to the desktop

In Windows 8, Microsoft weakened the desktop user interface. In fact, Windows 8 is a two-in-one operating system, which has also led to the emergence of mashup-type devices such as Surface Pro. But this makes the critics fall back to the truth, the coexistence of the traditional interface and the Metro interface makes the user confused and uncomfortable.

Design and consulting firm Teague Creative Director Tom · Tom Hobbs believes that keeping the traditional desktop in Windows 9 is the wrong choice. He believes that the desktop should be completely removed, leaving only the touch operation.

Will this move lead to strong opposition from corporate users? It may be, but the implementation of touch operations has little impact on users and developers, and it takes time to adapt, but at least the user's positioning of the product is clearer.

In Hobbes' view, Microsoft should focus on the best touch-oriented operating system for business. In this regard, Modern style Office software has become a must in Windows 9. Of course, Hobbes also mentioned desktop PC products that focus on touch technology. Imagine the Surface One PC, which allows users to operate remotely through a Kinect-like system. This idea is not an unrealistic fantasy.

Leap Motion, an American sensory technology vendor, is doing research in this area. The company released a new 3D gesture-like peripheral LEAP for Windows 8 PCs that tracks the movement of ten fingers at a rate of 290 frames per second, and the ability to recognize gestures is enhanced to 0.01mm. Asus also said that it will integrate Leap technology into the upcoming high-end notebooks.

In Windows 9, it is possible to implement mouse and keyboard operations in other ways, but it requires a high degree of integration of hardware and software products, and this integration is also Microsoft CEO Steve · Ballmer ( Steve Ballmer) is looking forward to it.

Retaining desktop operations for diehard users

To be honest, it is an extreme practice to completely de-desktop Windows 9 and it is not realistic. However, Microsoft may use this to plan a clearer transformation for the future. However, the desktop can still exist, but its existence should not appear so squeaky.

The famous authoritative user experience research institute Nielsen Norman Group user experience expert Laluca · Raluca Budiu made such a suggestion. Microsoft does not provide a comprehensive desktop environment, but in the Modern interface, it can provide a compatible desktop operating mode for some desktop applications.

In the letter providing advice, Bourdi wrote: “Just let the PC application start automatically in desktop mode, but don't force the user to switch between two different interactive interfaces. & rdquo;

Budio's suggestion has a meaning for Windows 9 tablets, because such products are generally used for media consumption. However, in a traditional PC, the full desktop environment is still important, especially for users who like to do a lot of windows operations. In a mix of Surface Pro and other products, users may prefer to take care of both modes of operation.

Therefore, Budio also proposes an alternative that meets all the requirements of experienced PC users. Thoroughly separate the two operating interfaces. Do not send users to the Modern interface when the user is using it in a desktop environment. Design a pop-up Start menu that strictly controls the desktop and implements shortcuts to prevent the app list and the Charms Bar from popping up on the other side of the screen.

Enhancing the charm of the Modern interface

Even if Microsoft does not plan to fully upgrade the Modern interface in Windows 9, it must still be improved. According to a recent study by the user experience research firm Nielsen Norman Group, Windows 8 relies heavily on hidden commands. Many consumers are not familiar with this. Therefore, these hidden commands not only waste user time, but also easily cause doubts.

Budio suggests that Windows 9 can visually alert users to hide some options in a specific menu bar. The application under the Modern interface has a lot of blank space at the bottom of the screen. Microsoft can completely imply the contents of the user's menu bar by text or icon.

Budio also said that Microsoft can also display related menu controls after users open an application, and then hide in a few seconds, which is also widely used in Apple applications.

Microsoft may be rethinking the location charm. Currently, application settings are difficult to access. The user must open the charms, click on Settings, and then look for the corresponding setup menu options in the sidebar. It is quite troublesome when doing this series of operations. Placing some settings for the app on the menu bar may help the user find it. It would be better if this change was added to the visual reminder mentioned earlier.

Application-centric

Currently, third-party application developers are not very interested in Windows 8, and even if they go completely desktop, there is no guarantee that they will flock.

Microsoft should do its best to promote the development of applications. Market research firm Directions on Microsoft analyst Michael · Michael Cherry said that Microsoft has not done enough in this regard.

The biggest problem is that Microsoft doesn't have a self-developed Modern app that can be used. Chery mentioned that Microsoft Office is a model for desktop applications, and this type of application has not yet appeared in Modern applications. The same application sometimes lacks the most basic functions in the desktop environment in the Modern environment. For example, Reader does not support PDF editing and Calendar does not support event invitations and task management.

Windows 9 also integrates Windows Phone and the Windows ecosystem. Doing so will reduce the developer's workload and also release signals to consumers, and Microsoft will provide a better ecosystem worth buying.

If I know that I can play Windows Phone games for free on Windows PCs, even on Xbox 360, my willingness to buy this game will be even stronger. Apple and Google have tied their mobile platforms to tablet platforms from the start. Although Microsoft has spent a lot of effort on integrating mobile phone and PC software functions, it only touches the surface.

Our discussion of Windows 9 is mostly based on desktop marginalization and promotes the Modern interface. We are only for realistic considerations. Microsoft is clearly aware that the Modern interface is their future. Through the Modern interface, Microsoft can better control applications and network services. For users who use the desktop interface for a long time, the exit history stage of the desktop interface is largely a matter of time.