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Microsoft Undeterred by Apple's Rise in Consumer Electronics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft's investment strategies remain unchanged, despite recent trends in consumer electronics created by Apple Inc., according to a corporate executive. Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of Microsoft's OEM Division, stated that the company's focus has always been on consumers and innovation in the marketplace. Microsoft is showcasing products similar to Apple's iPad tablet PC at the Computex Taipei trade show, with the goal of harnessing some of Apple's generated momentum. The company believes that tablet PCs will run on Microsoft's operating system, citing the success of Windows on netbook computers. Taiwanese companies are also shifting their focus to consumer electronics, seeing the market's potential for growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft has a strong focus on consumers and innovation, despite Apple's rise in market value.
  • The company's investment strategies remain unchanged, with a focus on driving innovation into the marketplace.
  • Microsoft is showcasing products similar to Apple's iPad tablet PC at Computex Taipei.
  • The company believes that most tablet PCs will eventually run on Microsoft's operating system, citing the success of Windows on netbook computers.
  • Taiwanese companies are shifting their focus to consumer electronics, driven by Apple's success.
  • The market for consumer electronics has the potential to grow, with Taiwanese companies seeking to get a piece of the market.
  • Microsoft does not gauge itself by market capitalization, instead focusing on innovation and impact on society.

Statistics:

  • Over 90 percent of netbook computers on the market use Windows operating system (Eddie Wu, general manager of Microsoft's OEM Asia).
  • Sales of netbooks have grown rapidly in the past two years, but competition has driven down margins (Li Chang, deputy secretary-general of the Taipei Computer Association's Overseas Department).
  • Computex Taipei is the world's second largest and Asia's largest computer trade show, running from June 2 to June 5 this year (Asia Pulse).
  • Microsoft's investment portfolio is already strong in consumer electronics (Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of Microsoft's OEM Division).

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, June 2
  • Central News Agency
  • CNA

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