The new reality. Long gone are the days when Microsoft had shares upwards of 90% in the digital world. The mobile revolution has given rise to new titans, while stunning old ones.
Companies like Facebook, Twitter, now have the users, while operating systems like Android and iOS now lead the platform contest. Sure, things are still very solid for Microsoft in the desktop domain, even if we take into account the increased threats from Chromebooks and Mac OS devices.
But the fact is that times have changed in the technology industry — and Redmond is very well aware of this most massive of shifts in user preferences.
At WPC 2014, the company’s chief operating officer, Kevin Turner, highlighted this by confirming that while Microsoft still enjoys over 90% share of the PC market, its overall share of devices is now just 14%.
This was revealed by Gartner a few days back, but nothing illustrates this batter than this slide:
However, Microsoft is taking this as an opportunity, a challenge.
Turner told the audience of partners that this new reality means the company has to move in with a new mindset. Instead of a ‘protect and preserve’ attitude, Redmond has now embraced a ‘challenger’ outlook. And this is what they need to do to mount up a firm challenge:
Microsoft have got the speed thing right — it is perhaps the most essential part of growth. And although the company has been guilty of sluggishness in the past, it seems to be aware that moving fast is the need of the hour right now.
Bold ideas from Microsoft, no doubt, but time will, undoubtedly, be the ultimate judge.