Microsoft concluded its global release tour of Windows 8 last night in front of a packed out crowd in Dubai.
The company showcased its latest innovation in stylish fashion from inside the Burj Khalifa.
Antoine Leblond, Corporate Vice President, Windows Web Services, Microsoft, and Ali Faramawy, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft, and President – Microsoft MEA, discussed the product, which they said is designed to bring opportunity to consumers, businesses and developers.
“Windows 8 offers a no compromise platform, giving you the same experience on a touch device as through mouse and keyboard,” said Leblond.
“Windows 8 builds on what is great about Windows 7 – it works well side-by-side with existing Windows 7 infrastructure to deliver the experiences people love and the enterprise-grade solutions organisations need. Windows 8 also helps companies improve the way they do business through immersive apps developed to better reach employees and improve customers’ experiences.”
Now available on more than 1,000 certified PCs and tablets on a wide variety of screen sizes, configurations, and designs, Windows 8 is supported by thousands of apps available in the Windows Store.
“The innovation Windows 8 is sparking in the region is impressive,” said Ali Faramawy.
“Just a few weeks after its global launch, Windows 8 is already transforming the lives of consumers, businesses and economies through a set of amazing new devices and rich apps. UAE Smart Learning is a great example of how technology is helping to make the region more competitive internationally by equipping students with access to latest technology.”
Microsoft highlighted early deployment customers, including British Telecom, Emirates Airlines and UAE Smart Learning, that are already taking advantage of enterprise benefits – from enhanced fundamentals with security, performance and manageability to new features like Windows To Go that offer new possibilities in mobile productivity.
Microsoft also announced new apps from DEWA, Time Out Dubai and Fedex ‘Shop & Ship’. These and other apps are available on the recently opened Windows Store.
In addition to opportunity for companies to reach customers directly, the Windows Store represents a major opportunity for developers with the largest potential market of any platform as all new and upgraded Windows PCs can run Windows Store apps. Developers using the Windows Store for their apps have the most control over their business, the most favourable terms, and the most flexibility in their code.
The late November release tops off a particularly successful year for Microsoft, which Faramawy claims has gone entirely to plan.
“It’s been a very good year for us,” he said.
“We have seen a change in demand from users and, although they’re obviously very happy with the strength of Windows 7, they now want this new style of mobile connectivity and access, and we’ve provided that to them.”
