Editing Microsoft Corporation (section)

=== Challenges and Market Headwinds   ===
Microsoft faced a series of industry-specific challenges and market headwinds in 2013. The competitive landscape was particularly fierce, with Google and Apple dominating the mobile market through their Android and iOS platforms, while Amazon’s AWS emerged as a formidable force in cloud computing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/5/21123956/microsoft-xbox-competitors-phil-spencer-cloud-gaming-amazon-google |quote=Microsoft faced intense competition from Google, Apple, and Amazon in 2013, particularly in cloud computing and mobile markets. }}</ref> Microsoft’s attempts to carve out a space in the mobile market with its Windows Phone and Surface RT devices were met with limited success, culminating in a $900 million inventory adjustment for the Surface RT due to poor sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-900-million-surface-rt-write-down-how-did-this-happen/ |quote=Microsoft announced a $900 million inventory adjustment charge for Surface RT in 2013, reflecting the new market value of the inventory. }}</ref>  

Regulatory pressures added another layer of complexity, with increasing scrutiny on antitrust and monopoly laws, particularly in the UK, where concerns over Microsoft’s licensing tactics and market dominance in cloud services were raised.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-regulatory-challenges-microsofts-cloud-gaming-adebisi |quote=Microsoft faced regulatory challenges in cloud computing, particularly in the UK, with concerns over competition and licensing tactics. }}</ref> These regulatory challenges necessitated careful navigation of compliance issues, further complicating Microsoft’s operations.