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However, misfortunes never come singly, as popular wisdom says. The appearance of tablets was also surprising to Microsoft. Considered, at first, as primarily a niche product that would supplement the traditional computers, they had quickly displaced them in many of the most popular uses such as browsing, chatting, social networking, video and music. Their portability had made ​​them a convenient tool for use anywhere and at any time. Eventually tablet sales had directly affected PC sales and, over the past few months, have exceeded them.
 
In search of a solution, Microsoft had reconsidered the concept of "personal computer," widening it by including in it devices such as tablets and hybrid laptops. The latter allows the separation of the screen, thus turning it into a tablet. For this purpose, Microsoft needed a suitable operating system, as the testing of the familiar Windows was not successful because the system itself and its programs are intended for use with a mouse and keyboard, and they are not suitable for touch screen operation. The giant from Redmond had decided that, in addition to the hybrid mobile devices, it would be appropriate to develop a hybrid operating system for both traditional PCs, and tablets and hybrid devices. So, the result was Windows 8, which was the most controversial operating system from Microsoft with regard to user perception.

To conclude this brief historical flashback about Microsoft I will mention that, last year, the company increasingly began to show signs of change in the overall pattern which it had been following and that had made it so popular and successful. In the past, thanks to its partners, it was able to win the battle of the operating systems and become the sole monopoly, displacing Apple, IBM and several smaller players. Currently, the giant that is in the process of major restructuring, is seriously intending to use the closed model of Apple, due to which Microsoft will become not only a software company but also a hardware manufacturer. This will allow total control over the final product and the creation of a closed ecosystem completely dependent on the company itself.

Let us remember Apple’s development. In terms of global popularity and revival of the company, we could say that these were due to the launching of iPod. However, that was only the interlude to Steve Jobs’ overall vision. The emergence of iPhone and iPad had led, as already mentioned, to a complete change in the industry. After Steve Jobs departed, Apple continued to pursue his development plan, and some twists in the market situation have led to several changes. One of them is the emergence of iPad mini. Jobs himself had said that a screen smaller than 10 inches was uncomfortable to use. The market, however, has refuted him.

Tablets with 7-inch screens are top sellers at present. Over the past two years, Android tablets have seized a large market share because of the combination of good hardware specifications and low prices. All this has led to the emergence of iPad mini which, according to many analysts, has 'cannibalized' the sales of the big iPad. Price pressure from tablets with Android entails reconsidering the pricing and price reduction, and hence reduced profit, with which investors are not at all happy. The latest criticism in recent years has been that Apple has reduced the rate of introduction of innovations. All this has affected the market share of the company, leading to the first declines in profit growth in 10 years.

So, we have come to the present, when the two companies have presented their latest mobile offers that will determine their performance in the coming months. Apple presented a whole series of devices at a special event in the United States on 22 October whereas at the other end of the world, in Dubai, Nokia held the last Nokia World 2013 as an independent company. Its mobile unit is now owned by Microsoft and the transfer of ownership is just a matter of time. That is why I consider the mobile Nokia products as part of the overall policy of Microsoft and its future.

What is new "at hand"?

Microsoft / Nokia

Nokia's first tablet

What are the important and interesting points? Firstly, this is the first and last tablet of the company as an independent company and secondly, the tablet uses Windows RT, which means that you can only use applications that have been developed specifically for this mobile operating system. The applications you use on your laptop or PC under Windows will not work on this tablet. Is this a problem? Well, it depends on what you want to do and on what you are using. Windows RT has an office package, it has the Internet Explorer browser which already supports touch-screen operation and allows you to write on a virtual keyboard when you are using the device as a tablet. It is possible to add another keyboard as well.