The most important thing about Windows 8 is that it is Steven Sinofsky's audition for the Microsoft CEO role.
If Windows 8 is a success he has a great chance to replace Ballmer. If (and when) that happens is when people should start paying attention to what Microsoft does again.
Sinofsky is no Steve Jobs, but he is one of the few people who are proving able to consistently produce good products at Microsoft. If he ran the company they'd be a force in the industry again.
It's pretty incredible in hindsight what a poor steward Ballmer has been for MS. I can't complain because MS seems to have finally loosened its death grip on the industry but if I were a shareholder I'd be pretty upset.
That said, I think a resurgent, non-monopolistic MS would be good for the industry as a whole.
If Windows 8 is a success he has a great chance to replace Ballmer. If (and when) that happens is when people should start paying attention to what Microsoft does again.
Sinofsky is no Steve Jobs, but he is one of the few people who are proving able to consistently produce good products at Microsoft. If he ran the company they'd be a force in the industry again.