Microsofts failure is most evident in their stock staying flat or dropping the last years, while all their competitors stock has soared, including Apples. That's the overall indicator of failure, and the one their owners care about.
But look underneath, and you find failure in every attempt Microsoft has made to branch out of their existing businesses, except for the Xbox.
Mobile? Lost to Apple and Google. Music? Lost to Apple. Instant messaging and identity (.net Passport)? Lost to Facebook. Tablets? Lost to Apple. There are countless examples like this.
Given all those failures, that nice cash flow will only be sustained until the Windows monopoly is replaced by something else. Windows 8 is Microsofts desperate response to something that threatens to do that.
But my larger point is that if my business only grows to be the size of Microsoft and ends up with a steady profit that size I won't care about the failures, only count the successes at that point.
Apple is using Azure for ICloud which is pretty huge.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/is-apple-really-using-wi...
The Vanity Fair article is almost identical to the articles released before Windows 7 came out in 2009 predicting the same kind of stuff than never comes true. Windows 8 has the potential to be a huge so I am sure these cookie cutter "MS is doomed" articles are going to be more prevalent as we get closer to release.
But look underneath, and you find failure in every attempt Microsoft has made to branch out of their existing businesses, except for the Xbox.
Mobile? Lost to Apple and Google. Music? Lost to Apple. Instant messaging and identity (.net Passport)? Lost to Facebook. Tablets? Lost to Apple. There are countless examples like this.
Given all those failures, that nice cash flow will only be sustained until the Windows monopoly is replaced by something else. Windows 8 is Microsofts desperate response to something that threatens to do that.