Microsoft has always been regarded as the leader in PCs and desktops. For long, especially in the 90s both Microsoft and Apple were considered as rivals. Yes, they fought fierce too! Not literally, but their products surely did. The Mac vs PC rivalry was common at that time. But, today the fight seems to have ended, at least some part of it. In the Apple event, where Apple released its new products, just after Apple introduced iPad Pro, Microsoft took the stage. Yes, you heard it right! Long back, Microsoft had saved Apple by introducing Office and Internet Explorer for Mac. Today, again the two have collaborated to ring in productivity in iPad Pro.
Why the Collaboration?
Apple and Microsoft collaborated so that they could translate iPad Pro into productivity for the businesses. Apple has aimed this new product at the businesses, and so it needed Microsoft, which even Apple regards as the leader of productivity. Instead of promoting the iWork applications, Apple chose to promote the superior Office software by Microsoft.
Microsoft Works through Collaboration
Satya Nadella, the CEO for Microsoft, holds a different view from his predecessors. He believes that Microsoft can perform brilliantly only when they collaborate with other companies to enhance their products. Microsoft has recently collaborated with Dropbox and Acompli, and also got ridden of their long war with Salesforce.
According to Microsoft, this collaboration with Apple for iPad Pro will enhance multitasking capabilities of businesses
Apple too has started believing in the capabilities of the hybrid devices, and investing in creating more of such devices. Apple has also started looking into its “post PC” future, and searching for capabilities where it can further its hybrid domain.
While there are speculations on whether iPad Pro will affect the market for Microsoft’s Surface tablet, Microsoft maintains it’s cool. It seems each is aware of its product’s capabilities and are not cornering the other in any way.
