Windows 8 and Microsoft master plan

It's just some hours to the release of Windows 8: Microsoft's biggest revision of Windows since Windows.

After a long development and testing, in which Redmond asked as never before for the users' feedback, the newest Redmond creature is ready for prime time.

As I said Windows 8 is the biggest change in the OS since its start and it's an huge gamble on Microsoft's part. Microsoft has been long accused of lack of innovation but it's something that comes naturally when you have a huge and heterogeneous consumer base. The average Windows user is a quite basic one and a drastic change in the OS would mean confusion and frustration so Microsoft always opted for a gradual change of their flagship product. Why a sudden change of mind?

Some exciting weeks to come

Seems like the big guys are getting ready for a holiday season announcement battle:

• Apple, October 23: iPad Mini and maybe something more. Rumors hint at a minor iPad refresh and maybe some Retina MacBook Pro 13"
• Microsoft, October 26: Windows 8 and Surface
• Google, October 29: Nexus G, refresh of the Nexus 7 plus a possible Nexus 10 and Android 4.2 announcement
• Microsoft, October 29: Windows Phone 8 and devices

 All together that's huge news that could really change some of the mobile market in the months to come. In the next series of posts We'll dive in these announcements and add some thoughts on what they may mean for us.