Windows 8 and Ice Cream Sandwich: omnipresent technology?

Android has majorly contributed to popularize smartphones and tablets. If we go back to 2008 when this technology was unveiled, it was difficult to make a statement then about how this mobile operating system is going to fare in future. Probably Google would also be more than pleased to see it making huge success. If in the last four years tablets and smartphones have dominated the electronics market then Android would definitely be responsible for it.

The journey from the Android 1.0, the first commercial Android version to the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (launched in October 2011) has seen the complete metamorphosis of the mobile device sector. The availability and acceptability of tablets and smartphones has increased manifold during these four years. However, Google had the concept and vision to introduce this technology even before but at that time it was considered by analysts as a mere imagination without any technological back up.

Things are becoming more interesting and user-oriented after Microsoft announced the launch of Windows 8 which is becoming a technological sensation these days. Microsoft decided to embark upon the segment from which it stayed away so far by announcing an OS that is integrated and designed to work for various devices apart from desktop/laptop. Windows 8 makes a direct impact on the arena of Apple iOS and Android operating system which is holds a major share of the mobile OS market. So the vision of Android to introduce an integrated mobile platform has been realized now by Microsoft.

Microsoft has developed the new OS to achieve the goals which were left untouched by Apple and Android. Omnipresence of the software is the top among them. It simply means that you will be using the same operating system for desktop, tablet and smartphone. The real performance of this software will come out only when it is launched finally and devices start running on them.

Microsoft has taken the initiative to evolve computers from the traditional format to the modern touch friendly design. This will be the first time when desktops will be getting touch features with Metro UI and retains all good things about the previous versions of Windows OS. However, it is too early to stamp it with excellence or innovation but one thing that cannot be ruled out is that this augurs a new generation of computing.

The latest news from Microsoft is about its Surface tablets that will be running on Windows 8. This again vindicates the vision that advocates the use of the new OS with tablets and other devices. However, the Surface tablet looks good with the design but its usability is yet to be defined.

At one time Ice cream sandwich was also projected as the platform to run various devices and desktops. It was told to consumers that this will integrate phones, tablets and television. It was supposed to run all these things however, this never materialized. Andy Rubin at Google holds a dissenting view and says Google hasn’t indicated that it is going to use Android in laptops or desktops but it does not mean that it has stopped other manufacturers from experimenting that. He cites examples like Compaq that had released an Android netbook earlier and ASUS had used the platform in all-in-one devices. Considering these facts the notion of Android not being an omnipresent technology is not completely true and does require evaluation.