No apps, no success for Windows 8 and RT

[shortylickens]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231121/No_apps_no_success_for_Windows_8_and_RT_say_analysts

It's going to be slim pickings early on for anyone who gets a Windows tablet.

Which is funny cuz when people were picking on the Mac for a dearth of apps, the fanboys defended it by saying you would never install all of them anyway and all you really needed was a basic selection of high quality apps AND FUCK PEOPLE WHO CHANGE THEIR MINDS JUST TO SUCK UP TO A COMPANY THAT DOESNT EVEN CARE ABOUT THEM!!!

 

[pm]

So you don't want to talk price then

No, good point, let's not get into price.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

So far all of the interesting W8 tablets/hybrids I have seen have been x86. Most of the RT models seem to be traditional tablets and don't offer anything compelling over iOS or Android but a lot of OEMs seem to be doing interesting things with their x86 models and really blurring the line between a tablet and ultrabook.

 

[jhansman]

Well, I wish MS mad success in all they are trying these days. If they are keeping pace with the competition (are they?), it's more choice for the consumer. Gone are the days when Apple ruled the tablet world, and if Google and MS knock them down a peg or two, more power to 'em.

 

[Crono]

Windows Phone 7 took a little while to get apps, but there are enough now to suit my needs. The question isn't whether Windows 8/RT has 200,000 or 1,000,000 apps, it is whether there are enough apps for the average user. And I don't doubt that a few months after launch there will be.

Those looking for the popular apps that are on iOS and Android will probably be disappointed initially. But Microsoft could leverage it's Xbox/Games library effectively - that's one area I think (even on Windows Phone 7 this was true) they can be competitive out of the gate. They may not have as many independent titles, but they have the ability to back/publish very professional games with cross-platform integration (i.e. earning in-game currency on a tablet or phone can be used in the "full" game on Xbox 360).

 

[jimhsu]

My perspective at least isn't the # of apps or coverage, but rather what you need. Unfortunately windows phone/RT lacks even one decent medical reference app (epocrates/medscape/lexi-comp), which all but rules out my usage scenario. The lack of support for my bank (mobile deposit) is also a pretty large problem. I imagine that for others, the lack of an app to interface with their enterprise software, field work, or scientific thingamabob (you know, the vendors least likely to make apps that support a variety of OS platforms) are deal breakers, even though I'd believe that they are a minority compared to the music/video/Angry Birds crowd.

PS Update definitely not optimal but I could use epocrates' web app -- does seem to have the bare essentials, while I wait for a real Win Mobile port. Still no mobile deposit though. I'm really hoping for Windows Mobile to be a viable alternative to the iOS and Android interfaces, which work but have gone somewhat stale over the past few years (more for iOS though).