Google Wars, Apple and Microsoft

Google remains competitive in the war between Apple and Microsoft. Markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Britain are leading European markets where Android OS is a leader however iOS is strong but also struggling and Microsoft Windows Phones indicate slow growth. Emerging markets growth in India and Asia are still open markets.

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According to The Wall Street Journal, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Google, and Microsoft were all announcing new mobile technology. Numerous cable and technology companies have formed a coalition in efforts to expand Wi-Fi networks.  Complexities are also present with hardware and mobile platform adoption from consumers.

Microsoft accounts for over 10 percent of smartphone devices purchased in the leading European Countries for the first time. Microsoft's current investments are supported by its strong balance sheet improving market share gains. Microsoft does have emerging markets strength, continued technology deployment in mobile, its data centers and growth in cloud computing.

The consumer mobile platform market is led by Android and iOS but Microsoft is also poised to gain market share. Microsoft grew 123 percent in the third quarter of 2013. Microsoft also recently announced the possible acquisition of Nokia’s mobile devices and services. The company launched its first touch-based operating system, Windows 8 late last year. But Windows 8 could not provide a positive boost to the PC market.

Apple iOS is popular in Japan with 61 percent of phones sold last quarter. Windows 8 and Windows 8 Mobile devices are for tablet and smartphone users. Microsoft's Windows 8 marketplace impact was anything but revolutionary. Windows 8's agitated many PC users. The high cost of many Microsoft systems made them a tough sell in economic conditions. The numbers could change as the economy is still in recovery from the crisis.

Google’s Android Operating System has remained a leader in most markets. The fact that Android is more ubiquitous today may make Android mobile platform a strong leader. Android aims at the next generation of productivity applications, developing the trends that will matter most five or ten years from now. Microsoft’s growth strategy is to leverage big data technologies from the desktop to the cloud. The company also has expectations for democratization using big data.