Microsoft's monopoly crumbling

In the past, Microsoft used to be untouchable. Today, things seem to be shifting drastically. Microsoft still has a monopoly on the desktop computer market but it is being threatened from numerous sides. The latest threat is coming from Google who is creating their own operating system and competing head on with Microsoft Windows.

We knew that this would happen one day and it is finally here. Will Google be able to cut away at Microsoft's monopoly in the OS market? Microsoft is a large company and has been dominant for a very long time. They have a lot of money behind them and established contacts with hardware and software makers. It will not be an easy task for Google to take market share away from Microsoft but they will definitely try. Google is a search engine king and they too have huge financing behind them. This battle of the OS will be a tough and very competitive one. However, if any one will be able to compete with an established and large company such as Microsoft, it is definitely Google. They have a lot of innovation, financing, and know how to compete with an established giant.

Microsoft's monopoly is not being threatened by Google alone. There are a lot of companies that are trying to get more market share at the expense of Microsoft. Apple computers has been marketing their products extensively and they are popular among people. Microsoft is definitely losing customers to Apple. Apple makes quality hardware, stylish and easy to use computers. Apple has become a huge brand that a lot of chic individuals want. Some people are just tired of Windows and are looking for alternatives to switch to. Apple brand seems to be everywhere and is an easy switch for most users.

GNU/Linux is also a huge threat to Microsoft. They do not have a large market share but they continue to grow and GNU/Linux is definitely picking up momentum. It is not only for hobbyist and tweakers anymore but for users of all types. Even Google's new Chrome OS will be built on the Linux kernel. Microsoft will have a hard time competing with GNU/Linux because of several factors. GNU/Linux is not only one operating system. There are hundreds of them out there and they are all unique. They appeal to different users. It is hard to create one operating system that can satisfy everyone. That is why GNU/Linux distributions have an upper hand because they can create an OS for a particular user in mind. Also, open-source software is much easier to modify than proprietary software, so it can quickly adapt to new trends. There are already some established distributions that are getting at Microsoft's monopoly on the desktop. These are Ubuntu, Mint Linux, Debian, Fedora, Open Suse, Mandriva and many others.

Gadgets are also threatening Microsoft. Things are shifting drastically in computers and the action is not only on the desktop. A lot of people are using different gadgets to get on the web and for computing. Cell phones have become mini computers that run their own OS. Netbooks are very popular and need a lightweight operating system. Tablet computers and many other devices are running their own software and are bypassing the desktop computer and Microsoft Windows.

Microsft's monopoly is being threatened from all sides. This is a good thing for consumers. Microsoft will not be able to charge the ridiculous amount of money for their software anymore. They will have to change and adopt if they would still like to be an important player in the future. The old ways of gauging customers for huge amounts of cash will not work anymore. There are plenty of alternatives today and customers are switching to these. Microsoft is slowly crumbling and becoming less and less relevant. Now with Google Chrome OS taking its aim at Microsoft, it is inevitable for this large monopoly to finally fall apart.

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