Houston, Windows 8 does NOT have a problem
Steve Ballmer tells partners that Microsoft has done 'a heck of a good job' on much-maligned OS
Microsoft has insisted that the launch of Windows 8 has been "remarkable" and that the next generation is set to drive even more revenue through partners.
The operating system, which launched last year, has taken a battering from analysts - many of which have blamed it entirely for failing to boost the ailing PC market. Some claim the dramatic difference in the user experience put customers off, and welcomed the return of the Start button in the 8.1 update after it was controversially scrapped.
Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer said the firm has done "a heck of a good job" on the OS, but made reference to the feedback it has received, prompting laughter from the audience.
The vendor announced that Windows 8.1 would be available for manufacturers from August - an update Ballmer claimed is directly based on feedback.
The update was fully demonstrated to the audience, which saw features which previously had not been unveiled, including a hands-free swipe designed for those using tablets while cooking, and an updated configuration to allow portrait viewing, both of which went down particularly well with the audience.
Microsoft reiterated that 100 million Windows 8 licences had been sold so far, and added that it has had more than 20 million enterprise evaluations and has been used by customers for more than 60 billion hours in total.
The firm's chief marketing officer Tami Reller (pictured) unveiled a new partner Competency aimed at encouraging partners to develop apps for its Windows Store. The User Experience Design Competency allows partners to train their designers and get them recognised for their expertise, and will be available from January 2014.
Reller also unveiled the TouchWins programme, which is designed to give authorised resellers and distributors incentives for selling Windows 8-based touch devices.
Janet Gibbons, Microsoft's UK director for partner strategy and programmes, claimed that Windows 8 was always ready for enterprises, but that the updated 8.1 OS is even better and will drive partner sales.
"Our view is that Windows 8 was already ready when it came to market - it was a great product," she told CRN. "The feedback was because it was a dramatic change, and that is what the market reacted to. Windows 8.1 addresses that feedback and I think despite [all the new features], the big thing is that the tiles and desktop are merged into one.
"The feedback was that it wasn't integrated and it was switching from one thing to another, but now you see the familiar desktop view but the Windows 8 tiles become [like traditional icons]."
When asked if she thinks the updates will fuel partner sales, she agreed and said the merging of the tiles and traditional desktop will take away some of the negative reaction.