Windows 10 - Covert Thrust Into Mobile For Microsoft Corporation

July 29 finally saw the release of Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) long-awaited operating system, Windows 10. With 14 million downloads and counting, it is safe to assume that the future of Windows 10 and Microsoft are closely aligned. As expected, the latest edition of the most widely used operating system (although market share has gradually depleted) met with a mixed response.



CEO Satya Nadella’s push toward cloud and mobile is expected to boost the firm’s long-term sustainable growth. However, this shift to the new age of a connected “digitized world” has meants shedding the excess footprint of one of the oldest companies in the business. A case in point is the hasty acquisition of mobile phone-maker Nokia. In September 2012, the acquisition of Nokia was billed as capitalizing new frontier of mobile. Fast forward three years, and the $7.6 billion write-off (greater than the actual purchase price of $7.2 billion), accompanied with 7,800 job cuts, are being hailed as a more “focused” push into mobile.


On the whole, Microsoft’s push into cloud computing, largely through its platform Azure, hasn’t been as successful when it comes to market share, as competitor services such as Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Web Services and those offered by Salesforce.com, Inc. (NYSE:CRM). It is commonly acknowledged that the tech giant must become more flexible, adopting a leaner approach.

The mobile-first approach must be included in any analysis of the merits or demerits of Windows 10. Seamless integration with touch, adaptability across platforms, and usability with multiple devices are some of the aspects Windows 10 is expected to bring to the table. It remains to be seen whether the latest offering by Microsoft will be deemed a turning point in the company’s long-term profitability, or if Windows 10 will be the beginning of its final act.