Change can sometimes be planned and sometimes accidental.
For a number of years my home devices have been governed by a distinctive Microsoft slant. Going back 5 years my TV was connected to my old Xbox 360. I rented movies from the Microsoft store. I used Microsoft apps on the Xbox 360 for catchup TV. I used my Windowsphone for Groove Music (was Xbox Music) and Podcasts etc. Cortana was the digital assistant I used on the move. Maps were from Bing. Onedrive looked after the photos and was particularly appealing because of the Windowsphone bonus space for photos. Eventually an Xbox One became the living room device when I bought an Xbox One S for gaming.
Basically the digital services part of my life was Microsoft-centric.
I didn’t really make a decision to move away from Microsoft. I really didn’t. However, my wife needed a music service and it made financial sense to get a family plan. So Spotify became the music service. The Xbox DVD reader often failed to read my DVDs so I bought a cheap Sony device for that. Windowsphone was killed so I got an Android device then it made more sense to use a Chromecast. My Spotify connects to home speakers and, in the UK, there are no Cortana home speakers. So I got an Amazon Echo to work with Spotify.
Google gives me unlimited storage to look after my photos and there is no Bing Maps app for Android so Google Maps are the default.
The other day I looked around my personal technology and realised that, apart from my PC, I have gone Microsoft free. I never decided to do that it just happened.
I don’t think I am the only one.
jumpingjackflash5
<p>Yes, Microsoft today is unfortunately forgetting and underestimating the synergy effects which it once understood and promoted really strong. Maybe they'll notice and fix it (they surely can), or they will lose their relevance to home users in the near future.</p>
jumpingjackflash5
<blockquote><a href="#272192"><em>In reply to jumpingjackflash5:</em></a></blockquote><p>That said, MS is trying even now. Office 365. OneDrive. Software for Android and IPhone. But it lacks that "sparkle" that it once had. And I think that sparkle has been and shall have been Windows. Microsoft should get Windows back on track. Correct the errors we have been speaking here about. Make some controversial things optional or selectable. Focus on stability, reliability, dependability. Do not innovate that rapidly and forcefully. Etc …</p>