The clearest explanation we’ve seen yet for why there’s no ‘Windows 9′
Why did Microsoft skip directly from Windows 8 (or more precisely, Windows 8.1) directly to Windows 10 instead of going to Windows 9? Mostly we think it’s that the company wanted to take a big symbolic step away from Windows 8, which has acquired a Vista-like taint since its release two years ago. And now a new report from Business Insiderseemingly confirms our suspicions as it quotes Microsoft’s Windows marketing boss Tony Prophet discussing exactly why Microsoft decided to leap ahead numerically.
“It came and it went,” Prophet said of Windows 9. “Windows 10 is not going to be an incremental step from Window 8.1. Windows 10 is going to be a material step. We’re trying to create one platform, one eco-system that unites as many of the devices from the small embedded Internet of Things, through tablets, through phones, through PCs and, ultimately, into the Xbox.”
So there you have it: Windows 10 is such a big leap forward for the platform that just increasing its number by one numeral wouldn’t have cut it. That said, we feel that if Microsoft really wanted to make a statement that its new Windows was a major leap forward, it still should have taken a page from Spinal Tap’s playbook and gone all the way up to Windows 11.
Good grief! Did I read this right? It sounds like Microsoft is still trying to make a one size fits all system. Wasn’t that the big problem with Windows 8?
What’s wrong with having one system for the folks who want to hang on to their large hard drive PC’s with big free standing screen, or screens, and another for the small screen, mobile devices? Will Windows 10 be as big a disappointment as Windows 8 or 8.1?
Everyone knocks Vista. I have had it for quite awhile and I haven’t had any issues
(knock on wood). I really liked XP. I won’t upgrade to Windows 10 unless it has
something really spectacular and new.
It sure sounds like they are headed for another screw up. We are so past the one Microsoft
size fits all.
I heard somewhere (don’t remember exactly) that Microsoft was going to give the users of 8 a version of 9 as a sort of peace offering, no doubt. 8 is such a mess that I was hoping they would give us another system as penance. Should have known better……baba