At some point you're going to have to make a choice whether you need a Desktop/PC, a tablet with Windows 8, or a tablet with Windows RT for whatever it is you need Windows for.

The author is suggesting at the end of the article that there is a grand conspiracy at Microsoft to lock all games and apps out of Windows eventually unless they go through the App Store (in Windows 9 specifically). I'd like some proof to this because it just does not make sense.

You have to realize though that that's the majority of the market. Most of us aren't programmers who need Visual Studio, or to run servers. So while they may not be getting rid of the desktop (and I don't think they are), it will become less relevant. I'd wager the majority of Windows licenses sold in five years will be WOA. The main thing holding "classic" Windows in place is familiarity, and as you said, games. I think Microsoft looks at the Xbox as hardcore gaming and the PC as "casual", but frankly when it comes to Microsoft and gaming I don't pretend to understand their actions any more. I just hope they realize it's one of the platforms largest selling features over competitors.

>The author is suggesting that there is a grand conspiracy at Microsoft to lock all 3rd parties out of Windows eventually unless they go through the App Store, and to restrict all Windows versions to Metro mode.

You know, I kind of agree. I don't think there is proof other than "it's the logical thing for a company to do".

>I'd like some proof to this because it just does not make sense.

30% from all software sold is a pretty good reason in my mind. Microsoft has Apple envy, and for good reason. Apple is filling swimming pools with dollars right now. Microsoft already has the market share, in both home and enterprise - I have no doubt they want to take advantage of that. If they could move those users to a "faster, safer, easier" interface where suddenly MS makes a cut of all profit - well, that's a really smart thing for them to do.

There's a subtle detail in Windows 8 that makes me look at it this way. It's the way that the desktop is displayed as an app, like it's there for legacy support. You don't boot to the desktop, you boot to Metro, your new interface.

If I were MS, I would somehow extend XBox Live onto tablets. Apple has made a mess of Game Center. MS knows how to do a game ecosystem, and many XBox casual titles would do well on a tablet.

They did great with Xbox, but then they totally botched "Games for Windows Live". I don't know if it's just a different team that couldn't put it together or what, but with MS and gaming I never know what to expect. They seem to want casual games on Metro though, based on the current store selection.

Taken literally, just about everything a corporation does is a "conspiracy". In real world uses though the world conjures images of green men, truthers, bigfoot enthusiasts, etc.

Using more neutral terminology, what he is suggesting is that Microsoft has a business strategy with their App Store. Doesn't sound quite so outlandish when you put it like that, does it?

Just because you don't get a proof doesn't mean there is nothing going on there.

I mean, they looked at Apple and said: "me too". It may not be a conspiracy but I would not dismiss the claim as "not making any sense".

> Microsoft is not getting rid of MS-DOS. MS-DOS is here to stay. In Windows 3.1, in 95, and every other version.

There was a time that everything to do with the non-consumer/enterprise market was done in DOS. Soon enough Metro apps will be first class citizens and desktop apps will be second class. If locking down the most important user-facing UI elements to only those apps certified by MS doesn't cause you some trepidation then you might want to examine history a little closer.