Yet Windows 8 sales have reportedly lagged. Critics want to see standardised gestures that will operate on different platforms (tablet or computer). They also want apps that launch directly from the start screen.
An entirely new operating system--with or without the Windows brand--could reset customer expectations and jumpstart sales. So Microsoft apparently will make a big announcement about the next generation operating system in April.
Does announcing a new product many months in advance build anticipation and excitement? Will existing Windows customers be willing to wait until 2015 for the new system? Will customers hesitate to buy a new Windows 8 product now because they know a new system will be released next year? Or will the lengthy prelaunch wait cause some customers to switch to competing products?
