Tag: Dennis

A New Microsoft Greets the World – How the Heart can Change the Mind

It was only a few years ago; I think probably 5 or 7 years, that the global giant Microsoft was ensconced in controversy over a large anti-trust legal battle. There were articles upon articles about Microsoft and Bill Gates and a lot of them shed a negative light on the company. As a result, Microsoft was seen by a large segment of the public, as bullies, monopolists, giants, software hogs and other similar attributes.

Fast forward 7 years and things have changed. A lot of these negative brand attributes today are probably applicable more to Microsoft’s chief competitor, Google. For example people have low trust about Google with their data, they see Google as too big a conglomerate, sometimes dictating terms and often refusing to refine some of their good products based on feedback (Google docs is a good example). And Microsoft – how are they seen?

Brand perceptions of Microsoft on a global basis (and even India) have undergone a sea change. First some generic global points and then followed by some India specific points.

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The iPad – An Innovation that Transforms

iPad Image

I recently bought Apple’s latest product – the iPad. The move was more of an intuitive impulse, rather than a labored and thought through process; the latter being a more regular style when I am adding new technology to my life. In this case the decision was swift and instant, almost as soon as I could lay my hands on a piece (note: currently the iPad is only available in the US and some other European markets). It was like my intuitive self said “go for this one”.

What I have seen in the last few days is simply spectacular and basically transforms the manner in which I interact with my information, work, audio and video. While there are many reviews on the internet looking at the technical aspects of the iPad, I do not intend to get into a lot of those. My requirements are more basic. I need to be able to work with my photo albums, work related files (word, excel, power point), my music, the internet, email, client documents, watch videos and read the occasional book online. The iPad fits these needs perfectly.

The key differentiating factor of the iPad is its form factor and ergonomic design. On a very fundamental and visceral level the iPad feels “normal” to hold, work with, carry and relate to. Finally I can say goodbye to those “bulky laptops”. Here is something that feels like a very thin book in my hands (it’s only 0.5 inches thick) and is potently powerful. It has a wondrous screen with great space and multiple touch capabilities, a top class and large (on-screen) keyboard (please do not think of the iPhone – the iPad’s screen and keyboard are a class of its own and something with which you can comfortably word process even with large fingers and at a fast pace).

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