Episode 7: Microsoft and Sony?
The Law Filed Under: Labels: Linux, Mac, Microsoft, Sony, Windows, Winodws 7
Episode 7: Microsoft and Sony?
050809.0441
I finally was able to get a crack at Windows 7 Retail Client v1 today, and must say I’m really loving what I’m seeing so far. I feel that even in its early stages, it runs better than Vista! A review will be forthcoming; I want to spend some more time with the OS first.
In episode 6, I referred to the idea I call the “unifying experience,” the single most important element of an operating system that ties all of its functions together to form a unique and enjoyable experience. For the Mac, the unifying experience is its GUI that is universally shared between all of Apple’s applications. For Linux, it is the vibrant open source community. Windows up until now was lacking that experience – Vista has emulated, not innovated the unifying experience – and as a result, there has been somewhat of an exodus away from Windows to other platforms. Windows seems to have addressed this issue in Windows, and I wanted to highlight this finding, and offer an idea for a partnership that could greatly help windows achieve a unique experience.
Windows 7 has upgrades, if subtle, that greatly improve the way Windows interacts with a wide variety of media. Windows 7 can natively play most every media format (though I still use the k-lite codec packs a force of habit). They are also developing “Device Stage,” a replacement for device manager that offers device-centric information when you connect it to the computer. For example, connecting a digital camera will now show your Coolpix camera with options to transfer your pics or buy ink cartridges from the manufacturer website. Plugging in an iRiver Clix mp3 player will allow you to configure your player and transfer and buy more music. In essence, Windows finally seems to be on track to turn its biggest weakness (and greatest strength) of compatibility with just about every piece of hardware and software known to man into a huge asset. If Microsoft plays its cards right, window will be the place to go if you are a media and peripherals junkie, because linking together many different peripherals is made easier with a simple interface. The simple fact is OSX is not compatible with as many peripherals. Windows can capitalize on this and win back some users, especially those who post hundreds of pictures, video, and music on facebook and myspace everyday, and share their media with friends and family.
To deal the deal for Windows being a media junkie’s best friend, I think Microsoft should partner with Sony. As a composer and producer, I use Sony media products (Sound Forge, Vegas, and Acid) in my studio which is Windows based. I find Sony’s products pretty easy to use, increasingly getting better on the eyes to look at, and extremely high quality. Imagine this, Microsoft partners with Sony’s media division and gets to bundle Windows with lite versions of: Cinescore, a tool for putting together soundtracks; Vegas, a very powerful video editor; and Acid, a music sequencer that is especially adept with assembling loops. This would allow Microsoft to directly compete against Apple’s Soundtrack Pro, iMovie, and Garageband, respectively. The Sony equivilents are sore above Apple’s offering because they are professional level apps. They can combine this partnership with an easy way to use Device Stage to allow a user to publish their works and add it to the web as user generated content, or to their peripheral devices.
Windows 7 stumbled onto something big… let’s hope Microsoft gets it right this time!
050809.0441
I finally was able to get a crack at Windows 7 Retail Client v1 today, and must say I’m really loving what I’m seeing so far. I feel that even in its early stages, it runs better than Vista! A review will be forthcoming; I want to spend some more time with the OS first.
In episode 6, I referred to the idea I call the “unifying experience,” the single most important element of an operating system that ties all of its functions together to form a unique and enjoyable experience. For the Mac, the unifying experience is its GUI that is universally shared between all of Apple’s applications. For Linux, it is the vibrant open source community. Windows up until now was lacking that experience – Vista has emulated, not innovated the unifying experience – and as a result, there has been somewhat of an exodus away from Windows to other platforms. Windows seems to have addressed this issue in Windows, and I wanted to highlight this finding, and offer an idea for a partnership that could greatly help windows achieve a unique experience.
Windows 7 has upgrades, if subtle, that greatly improve the way Windows interacts with a wide variety of media. Windows 7 can natively play most every media format (though I still use the k-lite codec packs a force of habit). They are also developing “Device Stage,” a replacement for device manager that offers device-centric information when you connect it to the computer. For example, connecting a digital camera will now show your Coolpix camera with options to transfer your pics or buy ink cartridges from the manufacturer website. Plugging in an iRiver Clix mp3 player will allow you to configure your player and transfer and buy more music. In essence, Windows finally seems to be on track to turn its biggest weakness (and greatest strength) of compatibility with just about every piece of hardware and software known to man into a huge asset. If Microsoft plays its cards right, window will be the place to go if you are a media and peripherals junkie, because linking together many different peripherals is made easier with a simple interface. The simple fact is OSX is not compatible with as many peripherals. Windows can capitalize on this and win back some users, especially those who post hundreds of pictures, video, and music on facebook and myspace everyday, and share their media with friends and family.
To deal the deal for Windows being a media junkie’s best friend, I think Microsoft should partner with Sony. As a composer and producer, I use Sony media products (Sound Forge, Vegas, and Acid) in my studio which is Windows based. I find Sony’s products pretty easy to use, increasingly getting better on the eyes to look at, and extremely high quality. Imagine this, Microsoft partners with Sony’s media division and gets to bundle Windows with lite versions of: Cinescore, a tool for putting together soundtracks; Vegas, a very powerful video editor; and Acid, a music sequencer that is especially adept with assembling loops. This would allow Microsoft to directly compete against Apple’s Soundtrack Pro, iMovie, and Garageband, respectively. The Sony equivilents are sore above Apple’s offering because they are professional level apps. They can combine this partnership with an easy way to use Device Stage to allow a user to publish their works and add it to the web as user generated content, or to their peripheral devices.
Windows 7 stumbled onto something big… let’s hope Microsoft gets it right this time!
2
comments