Editing Microsoft Corporation (section)

=== A Tech Titan at a Crossroads   ===
In 2012, Microsoft Corporation remained a dominant force in the tech industry, its legacy built on the ubiquity of Windows and Microsoft Office. These products had long defined how individuals and businesses interacted with technology. However, the broader market was undergoing seismic shifts. The rise of mobile computing and cloud services presented both opportunities and challenges, as competitors like Apple, Google, IBM, Oracle, and SAP aggressively pursued dominance across various technological segments<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar12/financial-review/business-description/operating-segments/index.html |quote=Microsoft's competitors in 2012 included Apple, Google, IBM, Oracle, SAP, and numerous Web-based competitors, as well as local application developers in Asia and Europe. }}</ref>.  

Microsoft’s product portfolio at the start of the year reflected its ambition to stay relevant. Alongside its flagship offerings, the company was investing in Xbox, Bing, and its emerging cloud platform, Azure<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft |quote=Microsoft's major products in 2012 included Windows, Office, Xbox, and Bing. }}</ref>. A pivotal moment came with the launch of Windows 8, a bold attempt to merge the convenience of tablets with the power of PCs, signalling Microsoft’s intent to adapt to evolving market demands<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar13/financial-review/discussion-analysis/index.html |quote=Windows 8, launched in October 2012, was designed to combine the convenience of a tablet with the power of a PC. }}</ref>. Despite strong financial performance, driven by robust software revenue, the company faced mounting pressure to innovate, particularly in cloud computing and mobile. Its strategic goals for the year were clear: maintain leadership in enterprise software while navigating a fiercely competitive and rapidly changing landscape.