Windows 8 Tablet

The Windows 8 RT Tablet news would have passed almost unnoticed, triggering probably no more than just a shrug my shoulders. Why would I need a Windows tablet? Especially as the Android is getting better every day and for the rest there is the iPad.

But there is one (frankly quite popular) scenario where Windows still beats Android and iOS. It is the home tablet. By home tablet I mean a large screen form factor tablet (12-inch +) that is lying on the kitchen table and anybody in the house can use it.

Why Windows?

Because both iOS and Android are not designed to be used by anybody but the owner. Because both iOS and Android cannot handle multiple user accounts on one device. The Android just has my email, my Twitter, my calendar and my Facebook. Ditto the iPad. There is no simple way the other family members can check their email, post their tweets, check their calendar or their Facebook.

Windows is different. Even the RT version handles multiple users as easily as the desktop or professional. You can log on multiple users and switch their contexts easily. Everyone will have their own passwords, bookmarks, cookies, emails, tweets, calendars and so on. Sharing the machine the way they should. The bad news is the original Surface will not have a fingerprint reader to make user switching even more effortless, but there soon should be a vendor or two offering this option.

By the way. Android / iOS should at least offer a guest mode. So often I am asked to lend my phone when somebody wants to check their webmail or do some other simple tasks. I do not feel comfortable handing a device that has access to my bank and brokerage accounts and other personal stuff. And I feel I am not alone with this...