Microsoft close behind: Google CFO

[reactosguy]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/microsoft-close-behind-google-cfo-20101121-182d0.html

"Software giant Microsoft is nipping at the heels of Google in terms of innovation and could catch up quickly, Google says."

"'Microsoft is a formidable competitor. They're really smart,' Mr Pichette said."

Why is Bing promoted as a formidable competitor? As of November 21, 2010, Bing has 10% market share while Google roams at 85%, according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bing_%28search_engine%29#Market_share.

Please post your comments on this.

[piratePenguin]

 - their maps are good (their research is amazing - MS's problem has always been incorperating impressive research into products they can bring to market (this is what they SUCK at))
 - their OS is finally competative
 - google are losing tonnes of talent (mainly to facebook), they are becoming a lot less special and now MS can compete much better
 - google pumped money into android, that MS can effectively use if it wanted to itself - bing and related services will work on android, if MS wanted they could cut deals with manufacturers and get phones using their services (as far as I know). So even though google look strong in mobile, they mightn't be fully safe
 - IE is finally competative

[Lead Head]

Microsoft has basically realized that if they want to remain competitive, they now have to update frequently, and actually release acceptable products. Similar to Chrysler/Ford/GM - their sales didn't drop that much, but it was enough to throw GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy, and Ford damn close. Microsoft basically could not wait any longer - it was getting to the point where schools and businesses were now imaging computers with Firefox and other Microsoft alternatives.

Just think about it: It was over 5 years between IE6 and IE7.  A little over 2.5 years between IE7 and IE8, and it looks like about 2 years between IE8 and IE9. Windows 8 is scheduled somewhere in 2011-2012.

You get the idea. Microsoft is being much much more competitive than they have been in probably the past decade. You'd have to be a fool to ignore their recent strides.

[Refalm]

The alternative programs or OS argument is also being used as a sort of threat by many companies. They have their IT department make up reports that other products than Windows are actually better for their company.

That way, many companies get huge discounts on bulk Microsoft products. The positive thing is actually that some companies realise that using virtualisation with Linux desktops is really more cost effective.