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Microsoft Foundation
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. -
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows released. -
Period: to
Windows and Office
During this period Microsoft released Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows. -
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office released. The main aim of the applications is productivity -
Period: to
Focus on WWW, Windows Development, Xbox
This time period saw the release of Windows 95 and its continued development up until the release of Windows XP and Xbox -
Windows 95
Windows 95 released. -
Steve Ballmer appointed as CEO
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Xbox
Microsoft enters the gaming console market by launching Xbox. -
Windows XP
Windows XP was released. -
Windows Vista
Windows Vista released. The user interface of Windows was completely redesigned. -
Period: to
Microsoft Azure, Windows 7 and Microsoft Stores
This period saw the release of services like Azure and the emergence in the cloud computing market as well as multiple upgrades to the Windows OS, up until Windows 7 -
Azure Services Platform Release
This mark's Microsoft's entrance into the Cloud Computing market. (Nowadays Azure handles both SaaS and PaaS) -
First Microsoft Store Opens
Scottsdale, Arizona. -
Windows Phone OS
Windows Phone OS released. Replaced Windows Mobile. -
Microsoft acquires Skype
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Period: to
Windows 8, Surface, Microsoft Rebranding Period
During this period, Microsoft gradually rebranded its products. Windows 8 and the Surface tablet were released. Microsoft also launched Outlook.com and Xbox's Kinect. -
Windows 8
Windows 8 released. For both PCs and Tablets. -
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft launched the Microsoft Surface. -
Kinect
Kinect was introduced in 2010 but upgraded in 2013 as part of the Xbox One launch. -
Xbox One
Xbox One released. -
Period: to
Windows 10, Hololens, AI & The future
During this period, Microsoft has acquired other companies e.g. LinkedIn. PowerBI, the Cortana Intelligence suite and Windows Holographic and HoloLens were also released. A major focus of the company is now AI. (2017 represents the PRESENT TIME) -
Satya Nadella Appointed as CEO
Nadella helped change the path of the company to cloud first, mobile first and making Microsoft products available across many devices (different hardware) -
Microsoft Acquires Minecraft
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PowerBI
PowerBI released. -
Windows 10
Windows 10 released in September. -
HoloLens
The first mixed reality headset running a self-contained Windows 10 Holographic computer. -
PC and Xbox Divisions Merge
The focus of Microsoft's gaming shifts to Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. -
Cortana Intelligence Suite
Cortana Intelligence Suite released.(Includes Microsoft Cognitive Services)
