Microsoft's "New Coke" Moment?

theodp writes "Remember New Coke? Twenty-eight years ago, Coca-Cola replaced the secret formula of its flagship brand, only to announce the return of the "classic" formula just 79 days later. Had it launched in 2013, Coke's Jay Moye suspects a social media backlash would have prompted it to reverse itself even sooner. In a timely follow-up, ZDNet's Steven Vaughan-Nichols points out that Microsoft is facing its own New Coke moment with Windows 8. 'Does Ballmer have the guts to admit he made a mistake and give users what they clearly want?' Vaughan-Nichols asks. 'While it's too late for Windows 8, Blue might give us back our Start button and an Aero-like interface. We don't know.'"

Comments

The unwashed masses

[Taantric]

This really riles me that people are rejecting Windows 8 because it does not have a fucking 'Start' button. Just the mindless stupidity of it just boggles the mind. Windows 8 is fast, lean and very impressive OS. It continues the great work done on Windows 7 and really builds on that foundation. How fucking stupid are these people that they don't understand the Metro start screen is just a full screen modern version of the start button. Fucking Lowest Common Denominator morons dragging the rest of us down with them.

2013 the year of the Apple Desktop

[tuppe666]

I think if nothing else Apple has learned form history, both its own and the many other PC companies that, well, no longer exist

Except its an insane fantasy...the PC industry is still dripping with money (although not considered as sexy as tablets).

Lets be honest Microsoft & Intel make over 70% gross margins (Apple executives used to remember good margins)...admittedly HP has to suffer at only 20% *rolls eyes*

..but again none of that changes the statement that Apple (Inc...not computer anymore, now they are not a PC..one phone company) and Microsoft both profit from the stable Desktop Duopoly, pretending that they are in any way in conflict is a little sad...celebrating the fact as an Apple user because Apple make a lot of money from its users, I have always found bizarre.

...and again real competition is coming from Android (or Chrome...or Chromified Android), and Linux continues to make strides.

Windows 8 isn't bad, people just like to complain

[microhax]

I'm starting to think I'm the only one on the face of the earth that actually likes Windows 8. Sure Metro sucks, and yeah it's a bit ridiculous to pay $4.99 (Start8; excellent app in terms of use and licensing) for a start menu replacement, but there are at least options. As far as interface goes, I actually prefer to not have Aero. The UI is faster without it and it I can't say I've ever sat down at my computer and wondered how I'll be able to continue living with a lack of shiny interface components. With any OS there are always a handful of things any given person wants to disable or bypass and Windows 8 is no exception. It's a solid, fast OS with enough small improvements over Windows 7 that it was completely worth the $15 ($40 list, $25 promotional discount) I paid for it.