With Balmer going out, maybe Microsoft will recover and make a bang. There may be hope (like with Leila of Star Wars to overtake the Empire)! 

I read this artcile about the demise of Microsoft. And yes – they consistently missed the technology direction the world was going towards – even beyond what the article points out. They initially missed the Internet and if I remember right, Billy Gates poo-poo'd it as a trend. They have been laggards all along – except with X Box. X Box was and is a true innovation. It shows there are some real talented technologists and designers there.

But back to the business and the history….

Long long ago, in the dawn of the public Internet, it was predicted that all a computer/device would need is a browser and all apps would work from it for a fee, like a rental. The world of dumb terminals would be resurrected, but with a better GUI, higher usability and more functionality. Google has managed to achieve this vision with Chrome; Microsoft is still chugging along with a bloated OS and crazy interface design that has set the standard for computer usage by default (their partnership model with PC manufacturers made it the ONLY way to work and sadly, their only way to make money). The benefit was the birth of smaller chips and the rise of Intel, but that only made way for these mobile devices (tablet, phone, and who knows what else). And with the death of the PC and rise of the mobile devices, Microsoft is in quite a pickle.

Now, Windows 8 isn't half bad. It's kinda nice actually, and fun to use on an Envy with the touch screen and keyboard. It's like the setup I always wanted – if your mouse is acting funky, just hit the screen. However, Windows still needs a device rather than a just a browser like the Chromebook (which has the opposite problem and needs a touch screen, but I digress). 

I can't wait to read the remainder of the article tomorrow to see how Microsoft can save itself. I think getting away from MBAs trying to be technology guys is a start. And getting away from Basic derivatives. And seeing the future of computing being integrated in daily life. And seeing beyond profit coming from highly structured partnerships. I think you get the picture….