In the late 90s the biggest talk in the world of technology was always about Microsoft, and the products that they were releasing. Windows was the dominate force in operating systems, and Microsoft Office had a stranglehold on the office suite of products. Internet Explorer began challenging, and eventually surpassing, Netscape’s offering in the Web browser arena.
That was 15 years ago, and today things are much different. So different in that Microsoft seems to be an after thought when it comes to technology news. Apple and Google are now the companies that generate the most buzz in the headlines. They are releasing new products, and software on an almost weekly basis. With all the buzz surround these two companies, has Microsoft become a less relevant brand in the technology world?
Changes in the Technology World
The computer world was so much different 15 years ago. Microsoft Windows had brought us to the 32-bit world, with a new interface, and the ability to manage memory and device drivers for us. Everyone seemed willing to jump on Microsoft’s bandwagon and whatever Microsoft released, everyone wanted to buy it.
Over the years, people began to sour to what Microsoft released on the market. A few operating systems that users didn’t like (think Windows ME and Vista), and the rise of open source products meant that people can find similar products that Microsoft offered for free.
Starting in the last decade Apple has made a splash in the technology world, unlike anything they had done previously. They were merely the more quite tech company who continue to release their own computers with the own operating system. They had their loyal fan base that would upgrade their Macs for the newest version. Apple then decided to expand their product line and introduced their iPods, iPhones, and iPads over the past 10 years. What happened was Apple went from being a quite tech company to a major player and with that came the huge lineups for their products a launch.
At the same time as Apples new meteoric rise, another company began to make huge gains in the busy world of technology. Google started out as a search engine but quickly began to grow into much more than just providing search results to the masses. They developed online software, a web browser, and an operating system that can be used for portable devices.
Google not only began offering products that competed with Microsoft, but also began to challenge Apple as well. The three huge tech company giants have been on a collision course for the past several years, but will Microsoft be the one to fall?
Innovation is Needed in Today’s Market
If you were to go back 10 years ago you would see that Microsoft was dominant in many areas. They had the most popular operating system, web browser, and office suite. They were at the top of their game in terms of dominance. Over the past 10 years, however, Apple has created new products that appealed to many people, and Google has been at the forefront of innovation.
Over time, Microsoft began to look like the old man who was stuck in their ways, and then tried to follow the crowd to keep up. After Apple release the iPod, Microsoft released their Zune media player. To battle Apple’s iPhones, and Google’s Android phones, Microsoft create their Windows 7 phone. In the above two examples, Microsoft hasn’t been able to make a huge stir in either market and their product offerings have come up well short of challenging the leader. Apple’s iPods are still the best selling portable media players, and Google’s Android phones have just passed Apple’s iPhones to take the lead in the smart phone market.
Windows – The Stalwart Product for Microsoft
Microsoft does have something going for them, however. They still have their operating system. Windows is still the most popular operating system in the world, and while Apple’s iOS operating system has it’s loyal fan base, it still is a distant second. Why has Windows continued to achieve success, especially after a few versions that were critically panned? That is a tough question to really answer, but I believe there are a few reasons.
The first reason is obviously comfort. People like to use products that they are comfortable with using. While Microsoft Windows has had a facelift over the years, people still feel comfortable with the operating system they have used for years, mainly because it is Windows. The one rule that everyone involved in the world of technology understands is: “users hate change.” You change a product on a user and you will definitely year about it for months to come.
A second reason is mainly the product support. Microsoft Windows has the largest library of software than any operating system – ever. From games to productivity software, nothing comes close to the amount of software, and also devices, that is available for a Microsoft Windows PC. Games that are made for console systems, are also made for a Windows PC. Most productivity software is made for a variety of operating systems, including Windows.
One reason that many people stay with a PC, even with the Mac users raving about their computers, is the price. A PC running Microsoft Windows is a lot cheaper than an Apple Mac. The price of a Mac is usually the same price as a high-end desktop, with tremendous specifications. In today’s world, with the economy as it is, a more affordable solution may be the better option for some.
The Battle Will Continue
Microsoft isn’t the only technology company at the top of the tech world. Apple and Google have joined them with their new, innovative products. Microsoft hasn’t found a way to compete with those two tech giants yet, and the open source world has been chipping away from their software market share for years.
With Microsoft Windows, however, it is a different story. That operating system is still at the top, and will be for the foreseeable future, even with the release of Apple’s new OS, or a Linux flavour. Windows is still the king of the operating systems, and until a company can release an operating system that can compete with Windows, Microsoft will probably not become a less relevant brand.