In the history of technology and software, Microsoft has always been a motivator to get things done, to push things in a certain direction or to be the ‘de facto’ standard with almost any decision in the technology field, but within the last few years this seems to be changing.
And while everyone is embracing ‘open’ standards and progressing Microsoft seems to be the beast who figures their way is right and they’re too big to fail.
I speculate I would’ve to argue that point right about now.
Perception is everything, and Microsoft doesn’t seem to be perceived as strong as is it was and it’s influence, while still strong, isn’t as it was.
The offerings from Microsoft like the xbox, Microsoft Outlook, Windows 7 and SharePoint are still very strong and Microsoft is the standard for office software and office solutions; all this is good, but the outer crust is being nipped away…
Microsoft Office and Windows 7 are Microsoft’s bread and butter; the go to money makers. It’s no wonder they keep pumping money in to development and releases like every 3 years. It’s a sizable monetary train to keep circling around.
While Microsoft keeps producing Microsoft Office [working to a web version], Google has been offering an office suite, completely web-based for some time now. With the introduction of HTML5 and all the features and options it can make- this will be influential. Google Office is free, Microsoft office isn’t.
In a surprising turn, Hewlett Packard dropped Windows 7 and is now moving forward with WebOS. This indicates that Windows 7 just isn’t what it used to be and/or the costs/benefit aren’t strong enough to keep them working with Hewlett Packard. I wonder if Hewlett Packard is realizing the world is circling around Microsoft, maybe Microsoft is circling the bottom of the toilet.
Android and iPhone are killing Microsoft in this market.
In the battle for supremacy, Microsoft Windows 7 Mobile, it’s losing in the smartphone markets. Smartphones and the Operating System’s for those phones ‘should be’ Microsoft’s native playground to thrive and dominate, but they’re being clearly outpaced. Even iPhone is suffering from the lack of adaptive choices. Google is making sure both of these guys are missing something, and Google is obviously able to outpace anything Microsoft or Apple can produce.
The Xbox has been another large revenue stream for Microsoft. There’s only 2-3 consoles on the market that dominate like the Xbox, but there’s not been any real developments with the Xbox in years. They’re still using the same technology they did almost 10 years ago. At least Sony has PlayStation 1, 2 and 3. And recently, the two key people in this market for Microsoft Xbox have left, or are leaving the Xbox team.
You’d think if everything was going well for Microsoft in this area, these guys wouldn’t be leaving.
And while I’m on the topic of entertainment, how is it that Microsoft is missing the train on the TV/Android integration? How did Microsoft miss this one? How did they lose this opportunity? Another perfect application for a Windows-based solution, but I think if you observe it from a distance, it’s most apparent, Microsoft isn’t the easiest entity to work with and there are probably costs involved with using Windows as an option, where Android there’s nothing. So far Android has been installed on everything but a refrigerator with a LCD screen.
Seagate is another company that’s moving away from Microsoft. Seagate is separating itself from Microsoft on the hardware level. They’re no longer going to rely on ReadyDrive for the functionality of the SSD drives; even the new hybrid SSD drives. This is an alliance that Microsoft helped build, and now the hardware manufactures are turning away from Microsoft because their technology is actually hindering performance.
Lastly, Apple has passed Microsoft as the most valuable tech company. It’s not really that difficult understand why; Apple is innovating more than Microsoft is. Apple has obviously placed more things on the consumer market than Microsoft has; things that are really making an impact in society. When people can put there hands on something, they make a physical bond and it had more sustenance.
So with Microsoft losing the deal with Hewlett Packard, the shunned move to Android over Windows for a TV integration and the lack of domination in the smartphone world, it seems to me that Microsoft needs to strap in tight and review their position; they may have a new one in 10 years- playing second fiddle.
What do you think?
Until next time,
LEHenryJr.
LEHSYS.com
Very well written post Larry.
I follow Microsoft news quite regularly, just like I follow Google and Apple. MS is an old school company, and its yet to completely adapt to the new gen working tactics and thinking. But MS has shown a good knack of competing when they put their mind to it.
They took the fight to Google with Bing, and I've been impressed with the quality improvement over Live Search.
I love Xbox, so I hope it keeps on going strong. I have great hopes from the upcoming "Project Natal". Can't wait to try it out. If it works as good as shown in the demos, Xbox market share is going to get a good boost.
Good opinion piece here, Keep em coming.
Viki,
Thanks for your comments. Sounds like we could've some nice conversations in the realm of technology. I think Microsoft is trying really hard to hand on, but more and more I see their fingers slipping from the monkey bars.
I've yet to see them come forward with any really innovated ideas. I see more trends of Microsoft seeking out people with good ideas, and like the Borg, assimilating them in to Microsoft and relabeling those services.
Again, thanks for dropping by.
Until next time,
LEHenryJr
LEHSYS.com
Microsoft is a lost hope in mobile. Seriously, it's over.
I General MIcrosoft not participating in new devices is basically to keep the market and consumer away from the newer technologies and stay focused on desktop. Keeping that in mind the way microsoft dominated was solely on the fact that the didn't leave any completitori in the markat. Googles stregity is better they openly partner with both software and hardware companiies which is a better environment. In addition google is the eonly only innovationg apple or microsoft the way their business is modelled they are not interested to brining innovations to consumer as openly as goolgle is doing. Most of their software is free and competitive, more productive and less cosmetic unlike apple which have more emphasis on cosmeetic part. Anyway in short in current time google in the only one leading way in developing technoligies which are open. Apple simply makes boxes never partners with anybody even if it it is hidden.
"Apple is innovating more than Microsoft is."
Hardware, yes. Software, I disagree. Microsoft just does a bad job at marketing.
"Apple has obviously placed more things on the consumer market than Microsoft has; things that are really making an impact in society."
Nope. Most of the items apple has put on the consumer market are not labeled Microsoft. Look at most of the new cable boxes.
"When people can put there hands on something, they make a physical bond and it had more sustenance."
Keep your hands to yourself.
its the shift of computing paradym it has nothing to do with microsoft. All the app is being focused on web rather then destop based applcation so we really dont care what os we are running we are depending on the browser mostly so saying microsoft really can do anything except prolong its survival as long as it can. The mojor reason micrsoft didn't participate in develping a smartphone is because they know that would create anti-desktop market adn thats would kill their business but google and apple are taking the place in that area ……
I concur with you; the operating system no longer is the issue— the issue is the web applications. Web applications are going to rule and Microsoft sadly is beyond ludicrous if they think they can come to the table so late in the Smartphone race and just go 'hi, we're Microsoft and we rule, buy our phone.' Microsoft still has some presence, but they don't have the respect they once did…
Thanks for your comments.
Until next time,
Larry Henry Jr.