The Future of Mobile Microsoft

In recent years, Microsoft’s hustle to compete with newer, more flexible technology innovators like Google, Apple, and Samsung has resulted in a handful of enthusiastic projects.

However, despite Microsoft’s unchallenged supremacy in computing, Microsoft phones are few and far between. Windows 8, the operating system for the mobile era, was beautiful and seamless on touch devices, but wasn’t perfect. Though a few of their tablets, including the most recent Surface Pro 3, have earned top reviews, most Microsoft users prefer true laptops — and continue to reminisce about the powers of XP.

Microsoft’s reputation in the mobile market has caused many PC fanatics to worry about the future of their favorite computing company. Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Read on to learn about Microsoft’s brilliant plans for the future, and what mobile Windows–lovers can look forward to next.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is Microsoft’s biggest move on the mobile market yet. The OS is supposed to integrate all the essential elements Windows evangelists love from the past with the features mobile users absolutely need for the future. The goal of Windows 10 is to create a familiar, unified experience across absolutely every Microsoft device, from smartphones to desktops and even to their gaming console, the Xbox One.

As users begin downloading and installing Windows 10 to their computers — and as users play with the preview version of Windows 10 Mobile on their smartphones — the incoming reviews are almost entirely positive. The interface is cleaner, more intuitive, and more applicable than Microsoft’s most recent creations, which is a major step in the right direction.

However, some writers have their doubts regarding the rationality of expecting Web and mobile developers to build Windows-based applications simply because of the process’s ease. Historically, consumers have not been interested in downloading the same types of apps on their mobile devices and their desktop computers. The two types of computer — mobile and stationary — have been used for quite disparate goals. Thus, developers may be hesitant to build applications for devices and desktops that consumers aren’t interested in. However, already we do notice a change in this traditional behavior; mobile devices are being used more and more in workplaces due to their versatile nature. It is possible that the flexibility of Windows 10 may just be ahead of its time, and developers and consumers will notice the value of the OS soon enough.

Microsoft Office

A major element of Microsoft’s survival strategy is investing more time and energy into their successful software programs; as tech writer Mark Kaelin explains, “Microsoft is a software company first and foremost, and that is what the company and all of its employees should be improving, innovating, and selling.” The problem is that most consumers seem to be moving away from Microsoft’s traditional desktop model fast, and the old software that build the company up — namely, Office — may not be a reliable source of income in the future.

It seems that Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella, is moving away from the company’s roots with a strategy mobile and cloud first. That means Microsoft’s premiere cloud computing platform, Microsoft Azure, should take center stage.

Microsoft Azure

In the background, without the flash and bang of Windows 10, Microsoft Azure has been slowly and steadily growing into one of the best cloud computing infrastructures in the world. Microsoft Azure is vast — a global network of datacenters that are unimaginably flexible: It supports Paas, Iaas, Microsoft software, third-party software, and the width and breadth of programming languages, tools, and frameworks, so existing IT can seamlessly transition into Azure. Microsoft continues to quietly add features to Azure to make it faster and easier to use, like complex analytics. Plus, big-name third parties have already begun to develop comprehensive Azure security.

The biggest boon for Azure is that, as a cloud service, it can easily connect desktop and mobile services. Instead of tricking developers into creating apps for users who don’t exist, Microsoft can expect companies to build and spread their own software to their various devices as necessary. Thus, Microsoft can remain a computing giant among its most crucial clients — big business — without ruining its reputation with more underwhelming software releases.

Microsoft Surface Pro image by Janitors from Flickr’s Creative Commons

Marjorie McAtee is a freelance writer whose work has appeared on numerous websites including BakPakGuide.com, Listosaur.com, Slogr.com, and SanDiegoFreePress.org. She is a graduate of Hollins University and is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing at West Virginia University. Her literary work has appeared in publications including Amarillo Bay, Flashquake, Center: A Journal of the Literary Arts, and The Blotter.

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