INTRODUCTION

iYogi Insights is a research initiative launched by iYogi to help understand the issues that

people face with technology and how they adapt tech solutions to enhance their lives. A

subscriber base that is among the largest in the tech support industry gives iYogi a unique

vantage point to observe how technology is impacting people's lives and habits. Frequent

interaction with this wide database of subscribers gives us a privileged peek into how people

are forging a partnership with technology, sorting out the occasional issue, and on the

whole, positively embracing technology to empower themselves.

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

1

DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

WILL IT RIDE THE MULTIPLE DEVICE WAVE

8 WIN

DOWS iYogi, one of the leaders in the remote tech support industry, today released its first edition of

iYogi Insights focused on Windows 8 and Microsoft's strategy targeted at the increasing consumer

trend towards using multiple devices. The significance of the Windows 8 launch this year is

amplified by the proliferation of tablet devices that are currently dominated by the iOS and Android

platforms. Based on the results of the survey, iYogi Insights predicts that Windows 8 will drive new

adoption and shipment of tablets from Microsoft's existing PC user base.

Entrenched partnerships with original equipment manufacturers will help Microsoft to galvanize the

entire ecosystem into launching new products, some already announced on Windows 8. Some of

the new product announcements at the recently held CES 2012 include the Nokia Lumia 900

smartphone, Samsung and AT&T's Windows 8 ready tablets, and Acer's Timeline Ultrabook. These

are likely to result in further revision of the projections on shipments of tablets, smartphones,

ultrabooks, etc. The buzz is that Windows 8 will help tablets provide a real alternative to Apple's

iPad, by getting the community of app developers motivated and delivering, before the launch.

Microsoft has already released its developer preview and beta is expected shortly.

Our research shows that the awareness of the upcoming launch of Windows 8, is very high (95 %)

and increasing consumer preference for a single user interface can prove a winner. Windows 8

presents another option for Tablets with new features and a dazzling user interface that pieces

together your digital life in a singular interface, called Metro. For this edition of Insights, iYogi

surveyed more than 1400 customers on the Windows platform.

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

2

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

69% OF PC USERS ENDORSE MICROSOFT'SSTRATEGY FOR A SINGLE INTERFACE ACROSS MULTIPLE DEVICES 85% tablet users would like their tablet and PC to have the same look and feel

MULTIPLE DEVICE USAGE TREND

69% OF PC USERS ENDORSE MICROSOFT'S

85% tablet users would like their tablet and PC to have the same look and feel

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

A significant majority of PC users, 69% would like to have a single interface across

multiple devices and not surprisingly, an overwhelming 85% of current tablet users

would like their PC and tablet to offer synergy in functionality, look and feel. Given

that there is a rising trend towards using multiple devices, this appears to be key to

Microsoft's winning strategy for Windows 8, aiming to provide users with an

integrated experience across mobiles, tablets and PCs. Already, 2011 saw more

mobiles than PCs being shipped. As the tablet market grows, Windows 8 has the

potential to become a preferred platform as a unified operating system across all

the three devices PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Moreover, the tiled Metro

interface has been specially designed for touch-screen devices and will play a major

role in Windows 8 adoption across tablets and phones.

So

urc

e: Te

chC

run

ch

3

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

Windows 8 has succeeded in conjuring up a

sizeable hype factor with near 95% of

respondents aware that Windows 8 is soon due

to be launched. In comparison, an earlier survey

conducted by iYogi before the launch of the

much-touted Windows 7 reveals that only about

40% respondents knew about the Windows 7

release. This is in sharp contrast to the

awareness built around Windows 8. The

'Building Windows 8' community initiative

launched earlier this year has generated its fair

share of hype. The community serves to engage

both users and developers in an open dialogue

to further the development of the Windows 8

platform by incorporating feedback.

I know about Windows 8

Windows 8 is gonna be awesome

Windows 8! Yeah!

Looking forward to Windows 8

It’s going be only about Windows 8

It’s all about Windows 8.

Can’t wait for Windows 8.

Windows 8 is coming

I N S I G H T S

AWARENESS ABOUT

WINDOWS 8

95% of the respondents were aware of Microsoft's

new development

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

AWARENESS ABOUT WINDOWS 895% of respondents were aware of Microsoft's new development

4

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

EXPANDING THE MARKET FROM PCS TO TABLETS AND PHONES57% of tablet users would like to upgrade to Windows 8

EXPANDINGTHE MARKET FROM

PCS TO TABLETS ANDPHONES

57% of tablet users would

like to upgrade to Windows 8

I N S I G H T S

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

The survey reveals that 57% of tablet users

like the idea of Windows 8 touch-screen

interface. Given an opportunity, they would

upgrade their tablets to Windows 8.

Interestingly, 19% of users who do not use

tablets said that they would like to upgrade.

5

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

According to the results of the survey, 85% of tablet tablet sales, the app market will continue to grow. Windows 8. This could give Microsoft a critical edge over

owners already use apps and 57% of them would like to Microsoft is ready to take advantage of this trend Android Market both, in terms of the quality and

use the live Tiles interface for apps in Windows 8. Of the through its Windows Store and provide customers a reliability of the apps developed for Windows 8. Also this

remaining respondents who are yet to convert to tablet platform with a variety of apps to choose from. The is likely to pose a serious challenge to Apple's current

usage, 20% felt that the Tiles would make their PC developer preview released by the company has tools for dominance of the app market.

experience better. It is predicted that with increasing building apps that support the Metro interface of

TILES AND APPS FOR A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE57% of tablet users would like to use the Tiles interface for apps

TILES AND APPS FOR A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE

57% of tablet users would like to use the Tiles interface for apps

I N S I G H T S

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

6

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

TABLET FRIENDLY SINGLE WINDOW METRO INTERFACE 53% of tablet users would want to work on the Metro interface

53% OF TABLET USERS

would want to work on the

METRO INTERFACE

I N S I G H T S

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

The survey reveals that 53% of tablet users

would like to use the Metro interface of

Windows 8. Of the remaining respondents,

18% felt that they wanted the single window

interface being offered by Windows 8 Metro.

A single window interface implies that a

program would open in full screen mode when

a tile is double clicked. This would mean a

cleaner interface that would be more tablet

friendly. To open two or more programs side

by side, a split screen has to be created.

7

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

USERS IN A DILEMMA ABOUT USING APPSMany users are still new to and therefore ambivalent about apps

USERS IN A DILEMMA USERS IN A DILEMMA ABOUT

USING APPSUSING APPSMany users are still new to

and therefore ambivalent about apps.

I N S I G H T S

APPS

APPSAPPS

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

According to the findings of the survey, a

majority of the users are unsure about using

apps. However, the appetite for apps

continues to grow. Christmas week alone, of

2011, saw a staggering 509 million app

downloads in the US, out of a 1.2 billion apps

downloaded worldwide. Microsoft plans to

launch Windows Store to offer apps to

customers to counter the current leadership

of Apple and Android. App usage would

generally be far higher (near 90%) amongst

tablet users than on phones, another aspect

that Microsoft would be looking to build on.

But till the time the store is launched, users

are still unsure whether they will be using any

apps on Windows 8 computers, tablets, and

phones. However, the 'Building Windows 8'

community is an attempt on the part of

company to dispel such doubts and to

introduce to users and developers alike, to

the Windows App Store.

8

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

DETAILED FINDINGS

Out of the 1400 respondents only about one-sixth are currently tablet users.

T A R G E T I N G

TABLETS TABLETS as a key

THRUST AREA

1/6

I N S I G H T S

Currently 15% of the respondents are tablet users. International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading analyst of the technology scene, has also raised its forecast for the number of

tablets that will be shipped out this year from 53.5 Million to 62.5 Million, a rise of 17%, which means that the market for Windows 8 tablet is growing already. Current findings

indicate that adoption of tablets across the US currently stands at about 13% or approximately 40 million users, and is slated to increase to nearly 30% by 2015.

RIDING THE TABLET WAVEOut of the 1400 respondents only 15% are currently tablet users.

I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

9

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY

The burgeoning market for smartphones, tablets and other newgen devices has the consumer struggling with

different operating systems, interfaces and platforms. With Windows 8, Microsoft seems to have come up with a

winning strategy to integrate user experience across multiple devices. Also, realizing that apps are the way of the

future, it has engaged with the app developer community and created the Windows Store to be able to entice

users with a wide range of apps in place before launch. Will this astute marketing gambit work? This iYogi

Insights Consumer Research on Windows 8 Microsoft's new interface strategy reveals what the current PC and

tablet user thinks. Has Microsoft been able to reach out to him or her?

METHODOLOGY I N S I G H T S

consumer researchWINDOWS 8LAUNCH WILL ACCELERATE SHIPMENTSOF TABLETS

METHODOLOGY

This survey covered iYogi subscribers through an online form following their support sessions. A total of 1400 respondents on the Windows

platform filled the online survey form consisting of 9 questions requesting details on PC and tablet usage, app usage, user interface

experience and preferences among others, to determine how they see this new development. The data collected was collated, analyzed and

compared to identify, assess and quantify trends and patterns.

10

INTRODUCTION DETAILED FINDINGS METHODOLOGY