Desktop Computers and Mobile Devices

The assumption that PC Wintel desktop operating systems were to remain exclusive to the Microsoft Corporation software franchise is being challenged. Cloud computing is a shift away from the client-server computing paradigm. In cloud computing, software is viewed as a service to be accessed from the Internet or intranet. Instead of running software from the hard drive of a local computer, the program is executed through the web browser: Saas - software as a service, web apps, and mobile computing. Updates to software are pushed out to the user population without physical distribution. The files are stored on web servers in the cloud and not on the local computer. Only an Internet connection is required to access the software. In addition to advantages in sharing files and collaboration, the user will not be required to back up files.

Free and low cost open source software also continue to have a larger role both within the Microsoft desktop operating system and as a viable alternative base platform. Software based upon on ISO and W3C protocols and standards are being used with Microsoft operating systems: HTML, XML, JavaScript, and new scripting languages - PHP, AJAX, Perl, and Ruby. Linux- and UNIX - variants are being used as alternative desktop operating systems and base operating system and internetworking infrastructure software: web servers, database, and middleware.

Leading research firms project that the dynamic growth of desktop personal computing is over and by mid 2012 smartphones, tablet PC, and mobile devices capable of running software applications will be outselling PCs. In the short-term, desktop and workstation information technology software remains Microsoft centric. Microsoft's competition is coming from Google Corporation and Apple Corporation software and hardware devices. Both Google and Apple provide applications and services which are available by logging on from a web browser: e-mails, alerts, documents, and RSS aggregation.

Web Browsers

Web-centric computing has become a significant issue when evaluating how software applications will be delivered and used. The web browser is strategic software; its featureset is extended in conjunction with viewing and searching. It's user base is 1 billion plus, with a growth rate conservatively projected to be in tandem with the increases in global population. Over the past two years, there has been a significant decline in Microsoft Internet Explorer installation and usage to 43% of market share. This reflects anti trust and pro competition laws that have been implemented both in the United States and global markets and software industry commitment to the open source software model. Google Corporation Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, free open source web browsers now are installed on over 50% of PC Wintel desktop and laptop computing devices. Google is trying to convert its dominance in web search into operating systems and mobile software, bringing it into direct competition with Microsoft. Chrome is used by more than 160 million users worldwide. Apple Corporation's Safari browser has 5 percent of the market. The Opera browser, which is available as a free download for personal computers and mobile  phones, has 2 percent.

HTML5 is the next significant phase in the progress of the world wide web. For mobile devices, Apple iPhone and iPad and Android phones, the dominant model currently is native apps. However, there will be advantages associated with HTML web-based apps which execute in a web browser. HTML5 provides the capability to develop web applications which are visually rich and comparable to the native applications designed to run on a specific device such as an iPad or an Android-based tablet. Over the long run, the strong likelihood is that HTML5 will be the main technology used for all mobile programs, with customization for applications on each device.

Most of the world's computers have a browser homepage set to a search engine. Well designed search is a key driver of efficiency for organizational enterprise. The user expectation is that a search query will return a result with high relevancy and minimal effort. Sound website and portal design is a requirement or business will be lost to competition websites. By default, search is the tool used to locate information in a world of linked information.

Market Leaders - Mobile Computing Devices

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft is primarily a software company. For close to 30 years, Microsoft Windows has been the predominant desktop and laptop operating system. Thousands of devices plug in and work on desktop and laptop hardware with Microsoft Windows as the base operating system. Microsoft Internet Explorer  is the most widely used Internet web browser. However, its share and utilization has declined significantly; mostly due to the popularity of free open source Mozilla FireFox and Google Chrome. Microsoft Mobile operating systems for handheld devices was introduced in 2000; it was not well received, ten years later it was discontinued, and replaced in MS Phone 7 in 2010. Microsoft is working with closely with phone manufacturers to test and calibrate its software in order to ensure that the keyboard experience is identical on every phone. It's strategy is predicated upon building a strong following with application developers. The MS Phone 7 has received favorable reviews; however, as of the first quarter 2012 it has had negligible acceptance in the market.

Microsoft entered into Internet search with its in-house development of Bing software and its acquisition of Yahoo. Bing has evolved into a superior service and as its share of the search improves, Microsoft also will be growing an advertising business.

Google Corporation

Google is primarily an Internet search and advertising company. Google uses machine learning and natural language techniques for mining web data to deliver intelligent search results and finely directed advertisements. In 2007, Google entered into the software business for smartphones and tablets with its Android operating system: web applications, web browser, and operating systems. Its open source software was developed based upon the assumption that there will be a significant demand for mobile devices and that the next generation of applications will be web centric. The strategy also was partly defensive. As more searches are being started from mobile devices, it will be easier to steer users to Google search and other services from its own operating system. By early 2010, Android had become the leader with 36 percent of the market for smartphone operating systems. It has positioned Google as a leader with mobile devices. Google has issues that need to be addressed with its open source software model: quality control and uniformity of phone design and user interface with smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

Google also has developed the Chrome operating system. Google designed the Chrome operating system to provide web developers with the capability to extend their websites by expanding the capabilities of the browser for storage and processing. A major challenge for Google will be convincing developers to write software that runs inside a browser, instead of on top of the operating system as with Microsoft Windows and the Apple iOS operating system. The Chrome operating system has had minimal impact on the market and clearly is a work in progress. Both Android and Chrome are based on Linux and the open source model.

Apple Corporation

Apple's business model is focused on selling superb mobile devices; the company's online software and marketplace for digital media and mobile apps is being driven by its proprietary hardware. iPhones and iPads. Apple's current generation of great success has been derived from pioneering new designs in markets that it has redefined or created: 1- digital media players - iPod, 2- smartphones - iPhone, and 3- tablet computers - the iPad. Its product hallmark is inspired hardware design and intuitive software. The Apple iOS operating system is dependable, polished, and dependable. However, this is a closed ecosystem; only Apple approved applications can be used. 

In February 2012, Apple announced that the Mac OS X operating system will be updated once a year. Mac OS X 10.8, code-named Mountain Lion, is scheduled to be released the summer 2012. Apple continues to unify its ecosystem: apps, interfaces and data. Data is synchronized in identical format on on Apple Mac and mobile devices. Apple started this strategy in the third quarter of 2011 summer with its Lion operating system. The user interaction with the Macintosh desktop and laptop operating system is being made to act more like an iPad. Trackpad gestures simulate the multitouch gestures on an iPad screen: Full Screen mode, Auto Save and Launchpad.

In the PC industry, Apple machines have a niche market share in many lines of businesses. The consumerization of information technology has resulted in the increased adoption of desktop and application virtualization and interest in BYO device programs. Workers are coming to expect Macintosh and iOS support. There has been a steady increase in the purchase and utilization of Mac desktops, iPads, and iPhones in corporate enterprise.