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On Windows 8.1’s official launch date, October 17, 2013, Microsoft took part in a Reddit AMA session. AMA stands for Ask Me Anything, and it allows users of the Reddit service to literally ask the host anything.  AMA is a great way for consumers, interested parties and those against something to learn more from a company, business or individual.  It’s a free-for-all in a lot of ways and sometimes a question can be answered someone wouldn’t normally get answered in a traditional question and answer session.

In this case, it was all about the Windows 8.1 upgrade and we learned a few interesting things about the latest upgrade. Let’s see what Microsoft had to say about Windows 8.1 and whether or not the AMA made a difference for consumers.

Things We Learned from the Windows 8.1 AMA

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Here are some things we learned from the Windows 8.1 AMA.

How often will see updates to Windows 8.1?

Microsoft wants to deliver regular updates, although they gave no real answer on how often those would be. With the Windows 8.1 final release, we did see a push towards a more rapid release cycle similar to Apple. We felt, like other Reddit users, this was a rather weak and generic response from a company trying to compete with more frequent updates. [Source]

Where did all the photo integration go?

Originally, when Windows 8 was released, there weren’t enough apps to actually showcase how integration could work. Now that the apps are there, especially with Facebook’s official app, this gives users another way to share photos that Microsoft doesn’t see necessary anymore.  For consumers, integration, whether it’s at the photo level or above and beyond that, is important as technology because of an increasing part of our lives.  [Source]

How does Microsoft feel about the Start Button?

Just like consumers, it seems. They’re not really sure they like it or dislike it, but they’re not happy with the overall concept but did it for consumers who missed the Start Menu.  The Start Button isn’t what Microsoft wanted to ever add to Windows 8, but consumers wanted it and Microsoft threw them a compromised bone.  The Start Button is lazy, ineffectual and not what Microsoft or the consumer wanted in Windows 8.1.  [Source]

How was motion language developed?

Most teams at Microsoft, including Windows 8.1, Windows Phone and Xbox teams, worked together to develop how the motion language features in 8.1 would work. This goes along with the idea that Microsoft wants to focus on a more immersive experience for consumers across services. [Source]

Why isn’t it easier to create local accounts for Windows 8.1?

Microsoft is forcing users to take advantage of the cloud and Microsoft Accounts do just that. [Source]

When will we see a unified Windows Store across platforms?

Microsoft’s working on it. A unified app store would benefit both Windows 8.1 and the Windows Phone market, allowing developers to reach both sides of the Windows universe. When will we see it? Who knows? [Source 1 and Source 2]

Windows apps are called Store apps?

Yes, Windows Store apps are to be referred to as Store apps. Not Metro apps or Modern apps but Store apps. How quickly will we get used to that language? [Source]

My Impressions of the Windows 8.1 AMA

Honestly, I could’ve learned more about Windows 8.1 by calling and asking questions my questions to Microsoft’s customer service specialists. This AMA was a joke and while Microsoft may have had good intentions, they were lost to the script the host was using to answer very specific questions about the upgrade. It’s a shame that Microsoft had an opportunity they squandered by answering lowball questions on Reddit.

Conclusion

While it was a nice gesture for Microsoft to reach out to its consumer base and answer questions through a Reddit AMA, this probably wasn’t the best way to get up close and personal with its customers.

Trolling, angry comments, and snark were more common place than solid questions or answers for that matter. Microsoft really is out of touch with its customers and this Reddit AMA, no fault to Katie herself, and this showed it.

Are you ready to upgrade to Windows 8.1? Check out our guides below: