Microsoft Versus Apple: Who Owns the Future?

Microsoft Versus Apple: Who Owns the Future?

Apple has been on a trend in the last decade to revolutionize sagging industries. The IPod reformed MP3 players from clunky novelties into devices that were easy and fun to use, ITunes legitimized digital music, the IPhone brought about a new era in smartphones, and the IPad is likely to make tablet computers-a market that Microsoft has been promoting unsuccessfully for many years-interesting to consumers. Each of these devices are portable, and usability in portable devices is something that Apple seems to grasp. In the future it will likely find another niche to revolutionize. Microsoft, in contrast, has seen its market-share in cell phones tank. Windows Mobile was a powerful operating system capable of doing many different things, but its design was clunky and not well suited to ease of use. Microsoft is changing this with Windows Phone 7, but it is late to the game and going up against two well established competitors. In addition, its take on the IPad is using Windows 7. This means that it is not fundamentally different from the tablets that have been on the market for years. Windows 7 devices will be capable of more, but they lack the usability of the IPad. This may be why HP abandoned its Slate design-a full featured menu driven operating system is not enjoyable on a mobile touch device.

Microsoft is evolving. The competition that Apple has provided has spurred a shift in the behemoth, as seen by Windows Phone 7. They are trying to innovate, are accepting open standards, and are making interfaces that are beautiful and usable. But they are still behind. Apple seems to be able to revolutionize any industry it touches. Microsoft still seems to be best at copying other company's innovations. Unless an even greater change occurs in the company, its mobile products will continue to flounder. And as mobile devices become more powerful and capable, the need for full fledged computers powered by Microsoft will diminish. The time is not here yet. All Apple products still need to by synced to ITunes. But give it time, and Apple will own the future. It is really good at making usable.

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