What Is Microsoft and How Does It Affect Computers?
Microsoft is one of the most prominent names in the tech industry and their products have made a significant impact on computers as we know them today. They are most notably known for their Windows operating system, which is used on most personal and business computers around the world. They also make a number of other software programs that are used on computers and smartphones.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who were college classmates at Harvard University. The pair saw an ad for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, which was considered to be the first personal computer, in a popular electronics magazine. They approached the founders of the Altair and asked to implement a version of their BASIC programming language. They were able to do so and then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to start Microsoft.
After a successful partnership with IBM in 1980, Microsoft started to become more well-known as an influential name in the computer industry. This was largely due to their release of the Windows OS which allowed users to connect to the internet for the first time. This is a significant milestone in technological history and was a huge contributor to the dot-com boom that followed.
The company has had a few major failures in the past, including their unsuccessful attempt to take on Google with their search engine Bing, but they have been able to bounce back from these setbacks and continue to grow and innovate. They currently have a wide range of products, with some of their most notable being Surface tablets, Xbox video gaming consoles, and Kinect devices.
Other notable features of microsoft are their security measures, which include Windows Defender Antivirus and the Azure cloud platform. The company has also been involved in a variety of social projects, such as providing laptops to children in need and helping students learn computer skills through the Code for America program.
While there are many great aspects of microsoft, the company has been accused of being a monopoly and has faced several legal issues. They have been accused of limiting competition by preventing other companies from selling their software in their stores. They have also been accused of blocking access to websites that were competing with their own, such as Hotmail.
Despite these accusations, the company continues to dominate the computer industry. Their products have helped to create countless innovations and are used in nearly every home, office, and school in the world. It is likely that they will remain a dominant force in the tech market for some time to come, even as PC sales decline and Android becomes the most prevalent mobile OS on desktop computers and smartphones. Microsoft is still one of the most profitable and valuable technology companies in the world, with a market capitalization that tops $500 billion. As a result, their stock is trading at an all-time high. Their current CEO, Satya Nadella, has taken a unique approach to managing the company and has been able to adapt their strategy to remain relevant in the modern tech landscape.
