The Techtopian Race

Microsoft and Apple have the same dream. Just like every tech enthusiast, every developer out there. But want to know what sets them apart? What makes them so different? Their approach to the future they both envision.

I've been following Microsoft's journey for quite a long time now. Their first big step was Windows 8, then Windows Mobile and then Cortana. But Windows 8 didn't feel like the correct portrayal of the "Everything at Once" notion because clearly everything was not at once. A lot of things, especially the metro style apps seemed more eye candy than something that's an important part of the whole Windows experience. And I expected a more Search Bar centric OS. 

But that's alright. I'm okay with, everything not being at once, as long as you don't claim that they are. Eye candies don't hurt and metro style apps look beautiful anyway. And even though the new OS didn't blow our minds away, it still was significantly better than the previous versions.

But that's the Desktop side. There's the mobile part to take into consideration given the fact that everything is moving towards it. When it first came out, Windows on mobile lacked a very simple component- a self-sufficient app store. There just weren't enough applications to cover the needs of that diverse range of users. Not to mention the absence of some very basic ones. But isn't that a problem that can be solved quickly? Well, no. Developers didn't want to build apps for a platform that didn't have a large, stable user base. It's a waste of their valuable time and skill. Why didn't Windows for mobile have a strong user community? Because it didn't have enough apps. No one wants to switch to a platform that can't offer applications to do tasks that they can easily do on iOS or Android. It was always a hard bet. And the whole thing was stuck in an endless loop.

Until it wasn't. Microsoft made developing apps for Windows, easier than ever. You can even get trained for free. And then a few days ago, they told the world that Windows for mobile is going to be compatible with apps built for iOS and Android. That's when it all changed, that's how they will turn things around. That's the perfect solution. You don't need to build an app all over again for a new platform, it'll fit right in. It should be universally accessible. And a great thing about this is that we'll now have those apps which were limited to either the App Store or the Play Store, together in Windows Mobile. That's the first goddamn step towards a tech utopia. 

And with Windows 10, Microsoft listened to what the users wanted, what we wanted. Through the Insider program they collected feedback and actually made it better. But what's great is that they also made a lot of things free. Windows 10 is going to be free for the first year if you have an original copy of the previous 7 or 8. And IOT devices like the Raspberry Pi can now run Windows 10 (completely free!). And Microsoft Office is available on all mobile platforms, yes you guessed it, for free! Who's complaining?

Apple however, got one very important thing right a long time ago that others didn't- the smooth integration of Apple devices and how they all fit into your life and work together seamlessly. That is one of the primary reasons why Apple can hold their customers and they become so loyal. When you're in that Apple bubble, it's hard to get out and try other things because no one on paradise wants to go on an adventure. Macs, iPhones and iPads aren't just individual devices. Apple wants you to use them together. In their dream world, you own all these. They want to make products we would love to use- and that is what sets them apart. 

But, when you want to rule the world you have to make sure that you are ahead of the game. And recently, Apple has been a mess. New announcements are great when you hear them, but at the end of the day they're just upgrades, which aren't 'very' significant.  Better camera, better processor, better screen, new iOS and but not a better experience. No, I didn't forget the Apple Watch. But if you've been reading reviews, it's not exactly making a good impression. Whether future versions will, is an issue for another time. Right now, it's not putting a dent in the universe and as an Apple fan that bothers me. Apple devices are costly. And to make up for it, they need to make their software side, top of the line, WITHOUT GLITCHES AND BUGS. I love how I can bring out my creative side with Apple devices. How iOS and Yosemite are so beautiful and easy to use and yet you can do the most complex things on an Apple product. But that experience, still isn't perfect. Siri, Maps, iWork are some of the few things that come to mind. Rumors suggest that they are going to unveil a 12-inch iPad Pro, a new Apple TV and maybe a new iOS and iPhone at the end of the year. Okay, we'd love all that. But what then? We're going to have to wait a full year for a new number? That's not the Apple we know. They need a very big bang like 2007.

Let me undisclosed something. Google Now will become an independent platform. Soon. It won't need another system to run. Instead it's going be an individual OS you can install on a device. Google Now's speech recognition is better than Siri and Cortana and Google should build on that. Speech recognition AIs can be more than just another way to interact with your device. Cortana and Siri should BE the operating system and not just a shiny screen that comes up when you press a button or say "Hey Siri/Cortana". 

But all that is a very idealistic future of the tech world. Will we see it? Maybe, maybe not. It's 2015 and the world isn't coming to an end. So, we'll just have to wait.