14 DAY TRIAL // Technology has become a key part of our lives, and “the new Microsoft,” with a new CEO, fresh ideas, and Bill Gates back on board, is there to design the products that would more or less make it easier to get things done at home, at the office, or on the go.
Microsoft has gone through very difficult times in the last few years, and living proof is the reorganization that it started in 2013 and which concluded with Steve Ballmer's departure from the leading role within the company.
Windows 8 was undoubtedly a confirmation that Redmond needs to change its model of business significantly, and Windows 10 is going to become a turning point for the company, not only as far as desktops are concerned but also when it comes to tablets, smartphones, gaming, productivity, enterprise, IoT, and basically everything else.
But in the process of reinventing itself, Microsoft has also helped its rivals become more relevant during these changing times, and Apple is one of the companies that are borrowing some of the ideas for its own business.
Below are three of the projects that are and will be part of Apple's strategy in the long term:
The design of iOS
Back in 2012, Microsoft rolled out Windows 8 with a completely flat design, a new look which was often criticized by many because of its childish and minimalist approach.
Criticism came from pretty much everywhere, with analysts, experts, users, and partners blasting Microsoft for its decision to give up on the Aero effects and those awesome visual tweaks that were part of Windows 7.
But this flat approach influenced the design of several new products launched afterwards, including iOS 8, which arrived months later and borrowed the same minimalist and flat look. Obviously, the criticism still existed and many described Apple's new iOS as ugly and childish, which were pretty much the same words that were used to describe Windows 8 too.
Beta builds for new iOS versions
Reports that came out recently claimed that Apple might release iOS 8.3 to users as a public beta to collect feedback and help squash bugs.
If this sounds familiar to any of you, it's because Microsoft is doing the same thing since October 2014, when the company officially started the Windows Insider program.
As part of this effort, the company ships early builds of its operating systems to users registered for the program, with the purpose of providing access to beta version of the product and get feedback not only on fixing bugs but also on new features that could be part of the final release.
Apple is planning to do pretty much the same thing, but details on its efforts are not yet known, so nobody can tell for sure how testers will be selected or whether everyone would get access to the beta, as is the case with Windows 10.
Large iPad to compete with Surface Pro 3
In mid-2014, we heard that Apple was working on a new multi-tasking feature for iOS that would allow iPad users to run two or more apps side by side, just like Windows 8 users can do right now on PCs and tablet.
While this feature is not yet available, it turns out that Apple is working to make its tablets more like Microsoft's Surface.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
A 12.9-inch iPad with a 2K resolution, which could hit the market as iPad Plus, is expected to be a powerful rival for the Surface Pro 3, as Microsoft is already bragging about the sales its device is experiencing all over the world.
Of course, in order to become a truly powerful Surface rival, the iPad would also need a kickstand and a keyboard, but things are very vague right now, so more will be probably disclosed at a later time.
In the end, Microsoft might be hard at work to bring life in its products, but in the process, it's also helping rivals build better solutions for their customers. So the big question right now is the same as before: who copies whom?