Lots of people this morning must have chuckled grimly reading—be it in the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times—that the not-yet-one-year-old and “revolutionary” Windows 8 will soon be replaced by Windows Blue. When Windows 8 was launched last October, I compared it New Coke. Are you old enough to remember that fiasco? Coca-Cola introduced a new formula for Coke, named by the public the New Coke. This took place on April 23, 1985. Less than three months later, on July 10, 1985, the company made an about-turn. It went back to the old, traditional formula again—in the face of an absolutely massive public resistance.
Well, it looks like it will take Microsoft a little longer to correct its own error, but the change is already on the way. Windows Blue will return with the “traditional” interface, albeit, with a little nostalgia for its own errors, a few of the “tiles” so beloved by users of mini-devices will still clutter up part of the opening screen. And while they’re at it, Microsoft might well fix the big problem it heaped on unlucky owners of certain printers—by providing properly working printer drivers on its Blue.
To be “blue” means to be “sad.” Well, in this case, if all goes well, I’ll be happy to be Blue.
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Yeah!!!! I am pleased to hear it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit of a funny name, though, don't you think? Then again, I'm glad it doesn't have a year in it, confusing matters further since every other M/S OS seems to include a year in the name and the others don't. Or, could it be a not overly subtle nod to Big Blue and the business machine idea?
In any case, a lot of business users must be pleased by this news and happy to await the arrival of Windows Blue. May it launch into blue skies!