Microsoft’s biggest news was that the next version of Windows would run on the style of cell phone chips that power the iPad and other tablets today,” Mintz reports. “It proved it with a series of demonstrations on half-built computers; on the monitors hooked up to those machines, the software was indistinguishable from the current Windows 7.”
“Microsoft’s missing tablet served as a reminder that the world’s largest software maker remains years from a serious entry into this new category of devices,” Mintz reports. “It also raised more doubts about whether Microsoft Corp. will ever be able to grab a meaningful piece of this fast-growing segment. If it can’t, Microsoft Corp.’s dominance of personal computers may become increasingly irrelevant as people embrace ever-sleeker portable devices.”
MacDailyNews Take: This is the way the borg ends. Not with a bang but a whimper. (apologies to T. S. Eliot)
Mintz continues, “It’s hard for anyone to applaud Microsoft without noting the threats posed by the growing popularity of Apple Inc.’s iPad. It’s also hard to see Windows as a tablet contender amid an onslaught of new tablets running Google Inc.’s Android software… Those concerns have been weighing on Microsoft stock, which has hovered around the $20 to $30 range for the past decade. Apple, on the other hand, has seen its share price more than triple since the first iPhone was announced in early 2007. Last year, Apple’s market capitalization surpassed Microsoft’s, making Apple the second-largest U.S. public company after Exxon Mobil Corp.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Once upon a time, nearly 6 years ago to the day, many laughed at us for writing this:
As we have always said, even as many short-sightedly waved (and continue to wave) the white flag, the war is not over. And, yes, we shall prevail. For the naysayers: In 1929, Ford held just over 61% of the U.S. market for automobiles. GM’s market share stood at just 12%. Ford was thought to be invincible, with GM regarded as a niche auto maker. Probably, some analyst at the time said, “The reality is, long term, GM will always be a niche player.” But, in 1936, just seven years later, Ford held just 22% of the market for new automobiles while General Motors held a 43% share. No company is invincible. Not even Microsoft. – MacDailyNews Take, January 10, 2005
Who’s laughing now?
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “JES42” and “James W.” for the heads up.]
I am as diehard as anyone I know when it comes to Apple, I even have a Lisa.
But… Just like Apple was brought back from the brink by Steve Jobs, it *could* happen at msft. They obviously have the money and the engineers, they just need real leadership, leadership that allows engineers to innovate. The Surface thing looks promising.
So they may look like a dying tiger but I don’t think they will disappear, as much as I want Ballmer to stay there till the end the shareholders have to wake up eventually, clearly the board is all a bit off based on the last several years ( I bought stock just to keep him in charge)
Maybe they will simply become the xbox company?
The only thing I can’t figure out is how they get Steve Jobs to take over as CEO at MSFT?
@Pirates:
“The only thing I can’t figure out is how they get Steve Jobs to take over as CEO at MSFT?”
Not going to happen. Ever. Steve can’t stand M$ and it’s inherent DNA. I’m sure one of his goals in life is to see M$ become one of those entities that the next generation never mentions… because they never heard of it… but if they did it might go like this:
“Microwho? Soft? Oh yeah, didn’t they used to make mice for something called PCs in the old days… and keyboards? And, okay, it’s ringing a bell now… they had some kind of game machine that was as big as a closet, right? And my technical history books says they were the only company to impose an involuntary tax on those PC makers manufacturers, under penalty of being cut off of something they called Windows. Sounds so weird… and so like, old and fossilized.”
@ Al
Only in Canada.
Microsoft will not disappear overnight but they will slowly degenerate like IBM and be irrelevant.
Great shot of Ballmer T Clown copycat in your Poll MDN. He looks so……….dumb!
I must say i loved this post. You describe this topic adequately. When hiring home contractors it is critical for select a trusted name in construction. Experienced and efficient staff should shoot for excellence and seriously consider every detail of your home.
Toyota Manual Steering Gear Box
This is first time I visit your site.I found a very good information about in your site.I will sharing this information some other people.Thanks for sharing this information for me…….
Nissan Pick-Up Truck Air Conditioning Compressor