PC: Microsoft has been caught behind
"This is a very important launch for Microsoft. After the failures of Windows 8, Microsoft has to come back with an OS that the consumers can transition to, feel comfortable about doing so, and understand that there will be a positive outcome by doing so.
Both Android and iOS have driven the market into a free upgradable software generation. Microsoft has been caught behind, so, as they move into this new generation of OS upgrades, they must execute, be user friendly, and be free of major bugs." – Craig Stice, Senior Principal Analyst, IHS Technology
PC: Days of only new OS driving demand long gone
"The days of a new operating system alone driving new PC demand or replacement are long gone, especially now that Microsoft is offering Windows10 as a free upgrade. However, the hype around Windows 10, the advertising and the marketing campaigns will bring much needed attention to the PC consumers. Windows 10 is a landing pad for the commercial markets, although these markets will typically take 12 to18 months before a refresh, as they will wait to ensure all the bugs are worked out. Additionally, many commercial markets just went through a refresh last year following the Windows XP retirement." – Craig Stice, Senior Principal Analyst, IHS Technology
Mobile: Microsoft has lost the smartphone war:
"Microsoft has lost the smartphone OS war to iOS and Android. Now, Microsoft is pursuing a strategy clearly inspired by that understanding. It is prioritizing the PC version of Windows 10 for delivery first, not mobile. And, Microsoft is offering its flagship apps such as Microsoft Office and Halo for the rival smartphone OS, which have the bulk of the users." – Ian Fogg, Director of Mobile Analysis, IHS Technology.
Mobile: One step forward and two steps back
"Windows 10 Mobile is one step forward for Microsoft and two steps back. Microsoft is again trying to make its mobile OS a mimic of its large screen PC OS as it used to do before the grand Windows Phone re-launch in 2010 in response to the iPhone and Android. And, just as in the past, Microsoft again risks a lowest common denominator experience with the smartphone weakened as a result of not being fully optimized for the phone. Also, many of the trademark user interface decisions which differentiated the modern UI on smartphones have been withdrawn in this new version: for example the panorama views and hub-centric apps with integrated content from many sources are no more. " – Ian Fogg, Head of Mobile Analysis, IHS Technology
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