5 Things Microsoft Is Getting Right

According to many industry insiders the past year wasnt a banner year for Microsofts sprawling set of businesses. Having squandered its place as operating-system leader, these people believe that Microsofts glory days are behind it.

Certainly, all the news coming out of Microsoft hasnt been great. After taking a $900 million hit because of unsold Surface RT devices and accessories, the future for its Windows RT operating system is murky at best. Windows Phone finds itself in a similar situation as Surface. Having brought something unique to the market, its features are quickly being borrowed for use on other companys mobile operating systems.

This is all true, and to deny it would be disingenuous at best. However, what industry insiders seem willing to ignore are the things Microsoft is getting right. Sure, the company isnt succeeding in every business that its entered, but to deny that Microsoft doesnt have the raw materials to reassert itself is ridiculous. Here are a few of the thing its getting right.

Windows 8.1 allows users to customize their device in levels Windows 8 users could only dream of.

Windows 8 didnt rush out of the starting gate with stellar sales numbers, but it did usher in something that Windows enthusiasts have clamored for years: yearly updates. With Windows 8.1, Microsoft has proven that it can ship timely updates to its operating system faster than every four years. Users wont find that these upgrades introduce huge differences in their everyday usage, but if Windows 8.1 is an accurate indication these yearly updates will focus on adding small features and plugging gaps. Thats progress.

Microsoft Office for Android

Windows RT and Windows Phone arent setting any sales records. That hasnt stopped the company from making pretty big moves in the mobile space. In the last year Microsoft has been very aggressive about getting its software and services in front of as many mobile users as possible. Skype, Office Xbox Music, Bing and SkyDrive are all available on the web for free to tablet users, and in native versions on iPhone and Android smartphones.

Even Microsofts Outlook webmail service sports the Metro interface.

Say what you will about the Metro design language Microsoft debuted with Windows Phone, but its clear that the company wasnt kidding when it said it would redesign many of its products around it. In the span of two years, Metro has proliferated into a brand identity for the company.