Connor McManus
In a world that seems to be
dominated by companies like Apple and Samsung, the name Microsoft is seemingly
always being used in negative light. The big question many are asking, is
Microsoft failing?
At
the end of Microsoft’s Windows XP launch, tech analysts and consumers were
expecting big things for the next version of the acclaimed Windows operating
system. When Windows Vista was commercially released in 2007, it was
immediately scrutinized for its security flaws and the complex user controls
that left many consumers wondering what went wrong, resulting in downgrades to
XP. While Microsoft was no stranger to failed launches, this was the first big
bluff that seemed to start a down-spiraling trend of failure for the company.
Moving
to a more recent time, Microsoft has not learned from the past. The launch of
Windows 8, their take of a more modern operating system, failed miserably with
both consumers and analysts alike. The tiled “Metro” theme and a more focused
design for touch screen use put Microsoft on a flashback to 2007, causing many
people to downgrade to the more successful Windows 7. Though there are some
faithful Windows 8 fans, it is impossible to deny that Microsoft has not been
living up to its expected standards as one of the most powerful and well known
technology companies in the world.
While
the future for Microsoft may appear bleak to some, it is true that the company
has the tools it needs to reinvent themselves. With products such as the Xbox
and the line of Windows 8 and Surface tablets, there is still hope for the
company to make money and dominate the market. Only time will tell how and when
success will be achieved. The next big test for the company based in Redmond,
WA will be the release of Windows 9.
