14 DAY TRIAL // A report released by analyst firm IDC this A.M. revealed that Microsoft sold only 900,000 Surface tablets, which could be an indication that Windows RT isn’t quite a successful platform.
But as far as IDC analyst Ryan Reith is concerned, it’s still too early to judge Windows RT, as Microsoft’s development efforts for this particular operating system might pay off at some point.
"I think Microsoft is in this for the long haul, but whether or not RT will exist in a few years is still to be determined. We haven't called the demise of the platform yet, but having the two versions co-exist doesn't make much sense,” he was quoted as saying to V3.
Truth is, Microsoft continues to bet big on Windows RT, as Windows 8.1, the first major refresh for Windows 8, is also expected to feature improvements for the tablet-oriented operating system.
Among the new features, Windows RT 8.1 might come with a 50-50 Snap View mode, but also with support for smaller units with 7- and 8-inch displays.