Where do you see Microsoft in 20 yrs?

[theprodigy101]

I recently watched the Bill Gates special on CNBC and it was certain that he was confident in the company's future prospects.

However, with Steve Ballmer as CEO, the delay on Microsoft Vista, and Apple becoming a monster recently, where do you Microsoft is headed in 20 years?

[mebreezy]

I think MS has to start doing what Virgin did, branch out all over.

[YPAL]

The whole idea with Virgin is to branch out and use the Virgin brand in different arenas. I don't think MS has the brand appeal that Virgin so will struggle to branch out of tis ore market.

[The Stealthy One]

As long as Microsoft can fully grasp the Internet and Web-based applications, they will do fine.

Hey, did anyone hear about the new rumor - Microsoft is reportedly looking at eBay as am acquisition target. To me, it would make sense; most "business gurus" are calling it nuts, but they'er too narrowminded. Think about it - eBay has eBay, PayPal, Skype, and a host of other smaller services. One key thing to note is that none of Microsoft's current businesses overlap, meaning that alot of new users could be brought into the fold, giving the new AdCenter a humongous boost. Bill Gates, if you're reading this, do it!

[NeeJam]

rumour has it they are planning no buying out ebay.

http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Micr...id=1320048WONHO

[CP Mr Ofevaw]

I don't have alot of faith in Microsoft. Niall Kennedy linked to an excellent case study by a business grad about a companies inability to make fast shifts. For example, Kodak CLEARLY missed the digital camera market (well, they didn't miss it... They just did too little too late). The comparison to Microsoft and their move to web applications and advertising is quite eery.

I cannot confidently say that Microsoft will continue to dominate over the next 10 years, let alone 20.

[YPAL]

I don't have alot of faith in Microsoft. Niall Kennedy linked to an excellent case study by a business grad about a companies inability to make fast shifts. For example, Kodak CLEARLY missed the digital camera market (well, they didn't miss it... They just did too little too late). The comparison to Microsoft and their move to web applications and advertising is quite eery.

I cannot confidently say that Microsoft will continue to dominate over the next 10 years, let alone 20.

Very good point complacency is a very bad thing for companies in such dominant positions.

What do people think about the possible effects of competition inquries?

[theprodigy101]

I wouldn't really say Microsoft's position today is one of complacency. It's actually one of taking more risk and expanding to new markets.

I see them kind of leveling off in the Windows/Internet Explorer arena and focusing more towards the videogame and Internet-Television collaboration age where users will be able to chat it up with there buddies while watching the same programs from the comfort of their own homes.

The risk is apparent in two ways:

#1- They are selling Xbox 360s at a loss and are relying on the videogame titles and videogame-related subscriptions to bring in the revenue.

#2- Nobody is really sure how the Internet-Television collaboration is going to play out. It's anyone guess as to how much of a hit it is really going to be. So, I think Microsoft is moving away from their traditional sources of revenue and really taking on risk by banking on these two new moves, which may or may not be a good thing in the end.

[Revolex]

As long as Bill Gates is around and helping his company, Microsoft will do just fine. The day he retires or dies will change things a lot. That's what I think anyway.

[CP Mr Ofevaw]

Operating system will always be their number one, unless someone can outdo them in a big way... At that point, Microsoft would have to fall back on the other revenue sources they are generating. I really think web apps will put up a fight against Microsoft...

When I say "web apps", I'm not talking stuff like Writely... I'm talking about desktop + server + integration.

[YPAL]

#1- They are selling Xbox 360s at a loss and are relying on the videogame titles and videogame-related subscriptions to bring in the revenue.

Every game manufacturer in the world does this, MS may be selling at slightly more of a loss then say what Sony will be but it is an accepted industry norm.

[Scott Taylor]

They will still be doing great, the richest company in the world cant disappear in 20 years. They have great development capabilites and have shown and proved they can keep up with rapidly developing technology. We can see this from their new Operating System Windows Vista.

However I do see opensource software and operating systems getting more mainstream as people continue to develop computer skills from an earlier age. Yes this will affect Microsofts revenue but they will find new areas such as the new "live" applications about to be launched that allow online creating, storage and editing of documents e.g. Microsoft Powerpoint Live. As broadband speeds increase and more of the world become constantly connected, whoever jumps into this market early is guaranteed a profitable company.

Dont worry, Microsoft will still be around. A lot of young fresh minds over there.

[nado]

As long as Microsoft can fully grasp the Internet and Web-based applications, they will do fine.

Hey, did anyone hear about the new rumor - Microsoft is reportedly looking at eBay as am acquisition target. To me, it would make sense; most "business gurus" are calling it nuts, but they'er too narrowminded. Think about it - eBay has eBay, PayPal, Skype, and a host of other smaller services. One key thing to note is that none of Microsoft's current businesses overlap, meaning that alot of new users could be brought into the fold, giving the new AdCenter a humongous boost. Bill Gates, if you're reading this, do it!

+digg

A few months ago I would have said Microsoft was dead. But they're starting to branch online with Windows Live and they've got a very good chance in both the portable PC market (i.e. ultra mobile PC), and the gaming market (XBOX 360).

And with Vista coming out, and if they don't stuff it up... things will be good.

If they are to survive in the software market though they need to take everything online. As in 10 years time (maybe even less) we won't have a desktop computer. We'll have a screen and a fast net connection. We'll be able to take our "screen" anywhere, login into our online account, fire up our online OS, access all our programs like Office etc online and access and save all our files from a data center somewhere across the globe.

That's where it'll be... if Microsoft isn't there at the right time, then the market's open for the taking.

cheers
nathan

[theprodigy101]

Hm some good points there, Nado. Let's see if Microsoft dominates the potential bandwagon on that one.

[CP Mr Ofevaw]

I honestly don't think they will dominate that bandwagon... Microsoft Live will likely be heavily integrated with standard Microsoft operating systems. I think they have the right idea, but not the right timing and not the right twist on the service. The whole objective of web apps is to be able to use it at anytime, anywhere.

While we're on the topic... You will always need some destkop equipment to connect. I don't think we will see a true thin-client computing for consumers for quite some time (if ever)... Web apps only go so far as UI's, and doing tasks that require ALOT of processing power also require ALOT of bandwidth - more than what a T3 can handle. Not to mention, most people have a strong fear of having people view their data... Look at the stink that people make about Google.

To sum it up... Rather than a new operating system being developed, it would be better for someone to develop a "platform" that could fit over ANY operating system, and one which allows users to willingly sync their data. Google Desktop is a step in this direction, as it syncs and injects your data into their public URL (i.e. go to Google.com and you'll see a "Desktop" tab).

So far, no one has done this... Not even Writely. To be honest, I'm quite surprised.