The Great Operating System Convergence
Fellows and Associates’ independent correspondent Oliver Cox
reports on the ultimate convergence of operating systems used by consumers and
the companies behind the software.
2012 – it seems – will witness the great convergence. The tools and activities once
separated by companies using differing software on different devices (such as
smartphones or desktop computers), are being combined to make a unified user
experience. In the portable device market, Google has already made an impression
with its Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) which can run on both tablets and
smartphones. Enter Apple’s OS X Mountain Lion and Microsoft’s Windows
8, two operating systems which illustrate varying degrees of the
convergence between portable and desktop software. Could this spell the end of the Start-Menu
Paradigm?
Windows 8
The most obvious difference between the recently released
developer versions of Windows 8 and Windows 7, is the ‘Metro’. Metro
allows users to see their programs and files displayed as tiles on the screen,
rather than using the traditional start menu. A notable inspiration from
Windows phone 7 and other touch-screen systems. This is a confident step by
Microsoft, to sever, almost but not quite,
the Start-Menu heritage which runs from Windows 95.
The system packs considerable innovation. Using new ‘charms’
you can call up and change the settings of a particular app or to the system as
a whole by a simple mouse action of dragging the mouse to the bottom left of
the screen. It is possible to alter the way in which the system handles
devices, and the sharing options for Twitter and Facebook. This function allows
the user to change settings fast and on the go.
Another impressive feature is ‘SkyDrive’. This programme
provides the user with cloud storage for their files and apps so that they can
access them from different computers. This programme is interesting in that it
also allows them to take their personal settings with them – potentially an
immensely powerful tool.
OS X Mountain
Lion
Mountain Lion features a cloud system too – iCloud – released by Apple in late in 2011,
which Microsoft are attempting to outflank with SkyDrive. Apple’s cloud
computing and storage service allows users to access their contacts, tasks and
files through all their Apple devices, such as their iPod touch and their iPad.
Mountain Lion also carries a very effective
notification system, something which Apple only just integrated into its
portable device software. With this feature, the user can get notifications
from their apps, such as friend requests and emails, down the right of the
screen, making for a more responsive interface.
One of the most coveted features of this operating system is
Air Play, which will allow the user to transmit content from their computer or
other device to their television set, using Apple TV.
* * *
To a user who is comparing the two systems, it will be clear
that Microsoft has made the greater leap since its last release. Windows 8
has closed the gap between desktop and portable software, while Apple
has narrowed it. The main aspect of the operating system which Apple has
borrowed from portable device functionality is the notification system. This
proved to be big news when it first came out for iOS (Apple’s iPhone software).
Other than this, most of Mountain Lion‘s other features are
desktop-computer ones.
This is an interesting state of reverse roles. Apple is normally the most keen to create a
system which is different or innovative, and Microsoft traditionally
concentrates on refining what it already does. Windows 8 and Mountain
Lion are both very original systems, but only the former is actually
ground-breaking.
As I have said before, it is when tech companies are under
pressure that the customers get innovation. Microsoft is getting scared by the
developments from Apple, especially in the mobile technology realm. Google, who
are said to be producing a version of Android which can run on netbooks, are
also encroaching. So at a time when Microsoft’s market territory and market
share is being threatened by other firms, they have chosen to try and capture
customers with something really unique. While Windows 8 seems to be the
more avant-garde system, the less adventurous Mountain Lion may be a
sign of confidence.
This article reflects the opinion of the author only. If you have any
comments or feedback, drop us a line at [email protected].