Windows 8, the latest version of operating system launched by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), is primarily for laptops, tablets and other mobile devices aside home and business desktops. The operating system, which was first introduced in consumer electronics show in January 2011, was released for general usage in Oct 2012 and is yet to be widely accepted throughout the world. Although Windows 8 is built on a very steady platform of Windows NT Kernel (which is also the base for its earlier versions of operating systems), it did not get the recognition which its predecessor Windows 7 got.
New features like Near Field Communication (NFC), cloud computing, built-in anti-virus, and touch screen technology were incorporated for the first time into Microsoft’s Windows-based operating system. It also allows easy synchronization between many apps and devices. On the other hand, one of the biggest shortcoming of this OS is supposedly its user interface, which Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) critics are claiming is quite confusing. Its interface, while operating with a keyboard, is not very easy to understand–that’s from personal experience.
Also, the advent of a touch-based OS like Windows 8 may be cannibalizing the PC market. In one of our earlier reports, we have examined in detail the dip in PC shipments and associated factors. (Read full report here).
Microsoft Windows 8 faces a serious competition from the likes of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s “OS X” and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s “Android”. “Ubuntu” is another unix based open source operating system which is available free of cost and eating a considerable chunk of OS market. All of these players already have their presence in the mobile operating system market.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), however, is banking on its wide distribution network, including its existing institutional clients for the sales of Windows 8. Per its latest figures available, Microsoft had sold 60 million licenses by January 2013 (earnings on deck later today). This includes sales to households and various institutions like colleges, hospitals and offices.
To understand how Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows 8 is being used among various segments of clients, Chitika.com conducted a study on the usage of Windows 8 in colleges. Chitika.com is a leading advertisement network company with players like Yahoo as its advertising partners.
The study was conducted between Feb 22, 2013 and Feb 28, 2013 and covered 50 universities that use Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s newest OS. It reveals some interesting facts on how the OS is faring on campuses, from a regional perspective.
Chitika conducted an analysis of desktop-based online ad impression to find out the percentage of desktop computers running Windows 8. Rice University, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Washington emerged as the top three universities having the biggest share of traffic coming from the OS.
See the full list:
