A Fresh Spin on Microsoft's PC and Gaming Strategy
Microsoft Announces Boost in Income from Surface Tablet Sales and Xbox 360 Sales Revenue
In the post-PC era, Microsoft seems to have a newfound strategy brewing, focusing on the high-potential tablet PC market. As traditional PC demand dwindles, it's crucial for Redmond to divert attention to this thriving segment. And that's where the Surface line of tablets comes in, despite their lukewarm debut. With some amendments and a year under their belts, they're beginning to show promise— Surface tablet revenue soared to $893 million during Q2, 2014, double the revenue generated in Q1.
The good news doesn't stop there. Xbox One sales surged to 3.9 million units for the last quarter, a remarkable feat that saw it overtake the Sony Playstation 4 in December. But here's the twist: Xbox 360 sales also proved robust, with 3.5 million units sold during the same period, resulting in a spectacular combined total of 7.4 million gaming consoles sold in Q4.
However, the story takes a slight turn with Windows. It suffered a severe 69 percent decline, amounting to a substantial $264 million loss, primarily attributed to the launch of Windows 8 the previous year. On a brighter note, Windows Phone 8 reported a 50 percent increase in profit, generating $340 million in revenue, owing to the growing acceptance of Windows phones worldwide. However, Microsoft must entice more manufacturers to sell Windows phones if it wishes the Windows Phone platform to thrive.
Additionally, revenue from search advertisements experienced a 34 percent increase, while Microsoft's Office 365 Home Premium subscriptions reached 3.5 million. All told, Microsoft walked away with $24.52 billion in revenue for Q2 2014, but the performance of core segments like Windows, Surface line-up, Windows Phones will determine if this figure stays strong in the long run.
Michael Kozlowskimichael@our platformMichael Kozlowski, our platform's editor-in-chief, has been delving into the world of audiobooks and e-readers for the past decade and a half. His articles have graced digital shelves for noteworthy publications such as CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times. He lays his hat in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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In the realm of Michael Kozlowski's tech expertise, e-readers are one of the many gadgets he passionately explores. As Microsoft shifts its strategy to tap into the promising tablet PC market, e-readers might just find a place in the Surface line-up, capitalizing on the technology advancements occurring in this segment.
