Windows 8 Can't Get Here Soon Enough

When the developer version of Windows 8 came out, I installed it on an Inspiron Duo computer at the office to see what all the fuss was about. What I came away with is that Windows 8 is a legitimate tablet OS.

Tablet use on the Windows platform has always been clunky to me. The tablet functionality was bolted on to the operating system in such a way as to make interacting with the device far from seamless. But, with Windows 8 it is clear the focus was on a multitouch interface and a seamless tablet experience. I for one think Microsoft is getting it right with this OS, and they are developing a solid tablet platform.

The ability to swipe between apps is nice. It is a little rough around the edges at this point, but I imagine they are working on multitouch gestures that will allow for more control. The Metro interface is nice and I prefer it over the Lion launchpad as it is more that just application launching, but also widget type functionality. I haven't used a Mango phone yet, but I can see the similarities with the tiles. The bottom line is: I like it.

The on-screen keyboard is improved. You can toggle between a large keyboard for two handed more traditional typing, or a split keyboard where you can use just your thumbs. I saw people when they first got an iPad trying to type "iPhone" style with their thumbs, so this may be a more natural interface for them.

The speed of the OS is also impressive. The Inspiron Duo doesn't sport the greatest hardware, but the boot times are relatively fast and the computer was pleasantly responsive during use. Given that most OS updates add more functionality at the cost of performance on older machines, it was nice to see that Windows 8 was very speedy.

Windows 7 is a great desktop OS. It has pretty much anything you would want for a desktop or laptop OS, but the problem is it not a great tablet OS. I used one today and was fat fingering half the stuff I was trying to do, whether it be launching an application, resizing a window or typing. It simply wasn't made for a multitouch interface.

If you are looking for a full-featured OS for your next tablet, it will most likely be Windows 8. If it is as cool as it has the potential to be, I think it puts Microsoft right back into the tablet mix, and it may even put them on top as most people still have a tablet as a secondary device to their laptop. Microsoft has the potential to create an OS that replaces the laptop and the tablet with a single device, and that will put them in a powerful position in the tablet market.

Jobs, Me and the Future

I can't close out the week without commenting on Steve Jobs and the impact of his achievements on myself and my business. Many of my friends and family saw the coverage this week on Jobs passing, and they asked me how much of an impact he had during his life and if future innovations would continue at the same rate as they had under his watch.

As to the first question of how much of an impact he had during his life, I don't believe the coverage this week has been overstated. He was truly a visionary with the ability to bring his vision into reality. A secretive, determined, perfectionist who pushed the boundaries on design and innovation. Jobs didn't allow the limits of today's technology slow his desire to improve tomorrow's. It take vision, leadership and purpose to do what Jobs did during his life. When you combine those traits with an uncanny ability to know what people will want and to not compromise on the details, you have Steve Jobs.

No one else could have done what Jobs did and that is a fact. He will be missed for a long time to come.

With Jobs gone, where does that leave the tech world? Jobs leaves behind a legacy of devices, services and the most successful tech company in the world. Quite a legacy, but I don't think that is the most important thing he has done. While Jobs' body may have given up on him, his spirit lives on strong through the many people to which he demonstrated what was possible. We have all witnessed first-hand how vision, determination and leadership makes the magical, possible. His legacy will be defined further by those left behind, and what they do with their own opportunities. I believe the magic will live on.

When I look back on my career, and I give credit to those who helped shape my world, Steve Jobs will undoubtedly be very, very high on that list. I would be honored if I can carry on a part of his spirit though my work.

MDM - Mobile Device Management

One of the major problems with mobile devices in the enterprise or school is managing them. There have been improvements in device management over time, but the device itself often limited the ability to manage it centrally.

Enterprises are much less likely to adopt a device they are unable to quickly provision, customize and remotely manage. As easy as iPads and Android tablets are to use, nobody wants to manage them all individually. So products have sprung up from companies over time that help ease the management burden. Also, with iOS 4, Apple included MDM functionality within iOS itself.

So now, it is a matter of choosing which mobile device management platform to go with. This will likely be impacted by the type of device an organization supports. For example, if you are just deploying iPads that are owned by the organization, you are really only concerned with managing iOS and enforcing policies. However, if you are supporting a BYOD initiative you want to "support" the device without completely "managing" it.

I am just beginning to investigate the MDM market and am not familiar with most of the players. Apple lists nearly 20 vendors on their iPad in Business - Integration page. I will privately review the list to narrow it down to 3 that I am interested in reviewing further. Then I plan to setup a test environment with sample devices (iPad, iPod, iPhone, Android tablet and phone) that I might run into and see how they perform. So look for more to come. If anyone reading this has experience with these products and can provide any feedback, it is always welcome.