Here's what Windows 9 could look like: pictures

With a new release cycle of roughly each year, Microsoft is slated to supply its next-generation version of its desktop operating system, likely named Windows 9, by fall 2014.

Recent reports suggest the software giant will slim down its line-up down from three versions — Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Phone — to two or fewer.

But one thing for sure is that Microsoft will keep dishing out its desktop operating system as it has for the past two decades. Windows 9 will likely run on desktops, notebooks, tablets, and perhaps even phones.

With little to go on and plenty of speculation and rumor, designers have mocked up a number of concepts — fitting with previous releases — to detail what they expect the upcoming software to look like.

Here are just a few examples of some of the most visually stunning and detailed designs we've found.

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Jerry Jappinen/Eiskis — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Chris Lombardo/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Chris Lombardo/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Chris Lombardo/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Simeon Metev (SoftwarePortalPlus)/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Niklas Lv/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Niklas Lv/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Credit: Niklas Lv/deviantArt — View larger (pop-up)

Breaking It Down: Pictures and Numbers

Summary: SAP’s The Mobile Consumer report is chock-full of interesting info about the state—and the future—of mobile commerce. Luckily, we’ve broken down 100+ slides into easy-to-understand infographics for you.

People are using their mobiles to make purchases—32% have done in the 12 months, according to our recent Mobile Consumer survey results.

That in itself is interesting. But what’s even more interesting is taking a step back and looking at global trends. For example: China’s and other Asian countries’ mobile adoption rate is growing by leaps and bounds, but there still aren’t a lot of mobile services available there. In the States, there’s a lot more already going on, including PayPal, Isis, individual bank initiatives, and apps from Apple (iTunes), Amazon, eBay, Starbucks, etc., but even there 53% of those surveyed want to do more on their mobile.

That’s why we’ve broken down our global results by region—Asia Pacific, EMEA, Latin America and North America—and created a series of handy infographics. They tell the stories of current behaviour, consumer demands for the future, and the speed bumps on the road to get there.

Here’s our global summary:

If you want to find out more, you can download the global and region reports here.

Topic: UberMobile

Diarmuid Mallon is the Lead, Global Marketing Solutions & Programs – Mobile, which includes the SAP Mobile Services division and SAP Mobile solutions. He has worked in the mobile industry since 1996. Follow him here at UberMobile and @diarmuidmallon.

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