Microsoft Takes Opportunity to Improve Windows Vista

Jerry Seinfeld, a popular U.S. comedian, through a Microsoft advertising campaign costing over 300 million U.S. dollars, is attempting to attract back disappointed Vista software customers as Microsoft is developing and will soon release Windows 7.

This is in response to Microsoft’s admitted failure when they unleashed Microsoft Vista to 150 million customers early in 2008 which resulted in disenchanted client base.

Although 150 million sales may seem like a successful indicator to Microsoft, observers say that it is rare that any company would run up an advertising bill of over 300 million unless their reputation for stable and functional operating systems is on the verge of collapse.

With the rise of attractive alternatives to Microsoft products, such as those developed by Apple or Google, the advertising campaign reeks of a desperate attempt to regain its status after its antitrust debacle in the past.

The advertising campaign depicts a shoe-shopping, ultra-rich Bill Gates who is considering a footwear purchase at a discount shoe store. At the store, comedian/actor Jerry Seinfeld is shown helping him try on a pair of new boots. In this campaign, Microsoft attempts to show the gentler and kinder side of the software mogul versus the greedy monopolist. This image-builder is focused on in the beginning of the campaign instead of actually promoting Windows 7 as a Microsoft product.

It is only in its second advertising campaign that Microsoft takes a jab at the competition by comparing a PC to the growing popularity of Mac by Apple. It is only then that it begins to promote Microsoft software products.

However, it is not likely that the huge failure of the Vista launch will ever be forgotten. This has resulted in many PC makers to take a step by offering, to previous customers who are unhappy with Vista, to downgrade their operating systems to the ever-reliable Windows XP.

Big companies who are  Microsoft‘s allies, like Hewlett-Packard, are beginning to worry about this taint that Window Vista has brought with its release which could take a heavy toll on sales. They too are taking steps in fixing the Vista mess as much as they can.

Ultimately, the fact that Microsoft released a product that frustrated customers and was difficult to use, has embarrassed the company and compromised its image.

The need for Microsoft to outdo itself is pretty evident. They need to erase the Vista stigma by developing an OS that will surpass anything new launched by them. As of now, Windows 7 features remain vague but with its much anticipated release, it may just end up to be a development phase between actual Microsoft launchings.

Some even say that the platform’s catalyzed development obviously gives the company a reason to take Microsoft Vista off the market shelves to replace it. But in all fairness, Windows 7 has been n the works for the past eight years, and releasing new versions of it every 36 months was part of the strategic marketing and production plan.

Some concerns have been raised considering that Windows Vista is one phase of the final Window’s 7 release. Although there are these misgivings, there is a better chance that Microsoft will respond to client an market demands for a better product thus influencing the creative process.

Only the anticipated release of Windows 7 Beta (the test version) will reflect just how well the company is keeping its promises to its development partners and its public.

The beta of Windows 7 promises a more detailed look at the new operating system capabilities. Some anticipated features are that this OS, which is inspired by the popular iPhone touch screen of Apple, will allow for multi-touch technology.

Bill Gates has hinted that the project gives great concentration on the ease of moving information between Windows OS machines to mobile phones, handheld digital organizers, and internet kiosks by PC users. This will be a big advantage for other computer makers to grab the opportunity to develop their own gadgets (like portable and mobile personal computers as well as desktop computers) and increase the market demand for extra devices.

There was also an indication that through an online service, Windows 7 would have Windows Live embedded in it. This would allow for the ease to gain access to software programs (such as word processing programs) and to do the much used services in social networking.

In May, at the Windows Digital Lifestyle Consortium held in  Japan, Bill Gates pointed out that they would be many built-in features connecting through the internet through Windows Live. The new OS would basically be able to enable emailing, social networking, and file and photo sharing as well. This also opens up an opportunity for the software developer community outside Microsoft to create various plug-ins. It would also have the capability for users to free mail and synchronize files which are aimed to be considerably better features.

With these features, Microsoft is positioning itself to be a main player in “cloud computing services.”  This emerging market allows users access to software programs that are run online. This takes information technology a step further as users and consumers begin to purchase and use software online, similar to how one buys electricity.

Miha Kralj, software strategist of Microsoft, says that the company directions for Windows 7 is to make certain that clients will be able to access all of Microsoft’s software on any device, at any occasion. The future holds the vision of clients employing a universal operating system that functions in the context of the device/computer, – whether the device takes the form of a cellular phone, MP3 player, or even a GPS unit.