The most unexpected moment for Microsoft in 50 years still makes us laugh.
On Friday, Microsoft will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. It has been a journey filled with ups and downs for this tech giant, but there is one shocking moment that truly stands out.
Microsoft turns 50 this Friday, having been founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Throughout its history, the company has transformed and had a significant impact on the tech sector. One of the crucial moments in its journey was the launch of MS-DOS in 1981, which established itself as the standard operating system for IBM-compatible PCs, solidifying Microsoft as a leader in the industry.
Another important milestone came 14 years later with the arrival of Windows 95, which revolutionized personal computing by making it more accessible and user-friendly. Additionally, the introduction of the Xbox in 2001 marked Microsoft's entry into the video game console market, a successful move that expanded its presence from software to hardware.
However, one of the company’s most iconic memories comes from a speech by its then-CEO, Steve Ballmer, in the year 2000, where his overflowing energy was etched in collective memory. During a conference, Ballmer took to the stage shouting "developers" repeatedly, trying to emphasize the importance of focusing on developers. This moment is remembered as one of the most memorable presentations by a CEO in history.
Despite his fervor, Ballmer's tenure at the helm of Microsoft, which spanned from 2000 to 2014, is considered by some as the company’s “lost years.” Although the company saw its revenues and profits grow, it failed to adequately adapt to the emerging era of smartphones and tablets, costing it dominance in several market sectors. Since Satya Nadella took over in 2014, Microsoft has undergone a remarkable transformation, focusing on cloud computing and artificial intelligence, among other areas.
Today, Ballmer, now 69 years old, has set aside running on stage and is dedicated to other passions, such as being the owner of the LA Clippers in the NBA.
On other fronts, Microsoft has recently announced some news, such as the end of support for the Surface Laptop Go after four years, maintaining updates to Windows 11 24H2 and security updates, but with no new firmware updates. Additionally, the removal of WordPad in the 2024 Windows 11 update has been confirmed, a decision driven by the app's low usage. Finally, the Copilot+ initiative is effectively utilizing its neural processing hardware by implementing new features in laptops from this line, including the Recall option, which will begin rolling out on devices with Snapdragon X chipsets during this month of October.
