market dominance Archives

Winsage

April 5, 2025

As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates Gives A Rewind Of His Early Days

Bill Gates shared rare throwback photographs on Instagram to commemorate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, reflecting on his early days with the company. Gates humorously described the images as part of his "awkward photo shoots" era and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen after dropping out of Harvard. Gates led the company through significant developments, including the creation of the MS-DOS operating system and Windows. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft's board in 2020. Microsoft has become one of the leading tech giants, celebrating its history and future aspirations on its website.

Tech Optimizer

March 6, 2025

All about CCI’s Dismissal of Antitrust Plaint against Microsoft

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) concluded its examination of a complaint against Microsoft regarding the bundling of antivirus software with its Windows operating system. The CCI found that users can choose antivirus solutions beyond Microsoft Defender and that there was no substantial evidence of market foreclosure in the antivirus sector. The complaint alleged that Microsoft forces OEMs to include Microsoft Security Essentials, limiting competition for third-party antivirus vendors. Microsoft has bundled Microsoft Defender with Windows since 2015 and argued that it aligns with industry standards. The CCI determined that Microsoft holds a dominant position in the antivirus software market for Windows OS in India but found no coercion compelling users to use both products together. The CCI also noted that multiple antivirus vendors continue to operate in the market without significant barriers. The case highlighted issues of consumer inertia and the implications of default settings in digital markets, suggesting that pre-installed options may restrict consumer choice.

Tech Optimizer

March 4, 2025

CCI Dismisses antitrust complaint against Microsoft over bundled antivirus software

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft regarding the bundling of Microsoft Defender antivirus with Windows operating systems, citing a lack of prima facie evidence of anti-competitive behavior. The complaint claimed that Microsoft's practices marginalized third-party antivirus providers and created barriers to entry for competing software developers. Microsoft defended its actions by stating that Defender is a built-in feature for user security and that users can install alternative antivirus solutions. The CCI concluded that Microsoft’s integration of Defender does not impose unfair conditions on users or hinder competition, as alternative antivirus software remains available and competitors continue to thrive. The commission found no violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act and closed the case, granting confidentiality to the informant and certain documents for three years.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Ex-Amazon Gaming Exec Explains Why No One Has Beaten Steam

Valve's Steam has dominated the PC gaming market for nearly two decades, despite various attempts by companies like Amazon to challenge its supremacy. Ethan Evans, former VP of Prime Gaming at Amazon, shared insights on their unsuccessful efforts to disrupt Steam, which included acquiring Reflexive Entertainment, developing a PC game store leveraging Twitch, and launching the Luna game streaming service. Other major publishers such as EA, Ubisoft, and Bethesda also failed to establish competitive storefronts. The Epic Games Store, launched in 2017, has not positioned itself as a true rival to Steam. Evans noted that Amazon underestimated the reasons consumers use Steam, which combines a store, social network, library, and trophy case. Despite criticisms of Steam, its ecosystem and features have reinforced its dominance, while alternatives have struggled to gain traction.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Windows Mobile Pos Terminal Market Size by Application, Type, Geographic Scope, and Forecast 2025-2032

The global Windows Mobile POS Terminal market is expected to grow significantly from 2025 to 2032, driven by the rise of mobile payment systems, digital transactions, and technological advancements. Key factors include the demand for flexible payment options in retail and hospitality, the increase in e-commerce and contactless payments, and ongoing innovations in security and software. Challenges such as high initial costs, regulatory complexities, supply chain disruptions, and market saturation in developed regions may hinder growth. Emerging trends include the integration of AI, automation, and IoT, a focus on sustainability, and a demand for personalized offerings. The competitive landscape features intense rivalry among key players, with a focus on product innovation and regional expansion, particularly in North America, Europe, and the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region. Emerging markets in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa show potential for growth, despite facing economic and regulatory challenges.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

Valve changed gaming forever with a single app

Valve's Steam was launched on September 12, 2003, as a digital game distribution platform, initially intended to distribute updates for games like Half-Life 2. It evolved from a patching service to a comprehensive storefront, allowing players to buy, download, install, and launch PC games quickly. Steam's requirement for internet access and authentication for Half-Life 2 marked a significant shift in the gaming landscape. The platform faced challenges, including the problematic Steam Greenlight program, which was replaced due to an overwhelming number of submissions. Despite competition from other platforms, Steam has maintained its market dominance, raising questions about digital ownership. Users appreciate Steam for its sales, functionality, and user-friendly interface, making it a preferred choice for many gamers.

Winsage

November 15, 2024

Microsoft releases official Windows 11 ISO for Arm devices — Extending support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processors

Microsoft has introduced a Windows 11 ISO specifically for Arm-based systems, following the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite. This official release aims to provide a seamless experience for users, moving beyond previous workarounds. The ISO file is slightly over 5GB and includes a guide for creating Arm64 Virtual Machines (VMs) using Hyper-V, although these VMs are not compatible with x86-64 hardware. Installation procedures are similar to those for x86 systems, with options to mount the ISO or create a bootable USB drive. The build is optimized for Snapdragon X Elite systems, but older Snapdragon devices may require OEM drivers to avoid installation issues. An attempt to install the ISO on a Raspberry Pi 5 was unsuccessful, but further exploration by the Raspberry Pi community is expected.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

There’s really only one reason for Rockstar to release Grand Theft Auto 6 later on PC

In 2020, Evan Lahti, the strategic director at PC Gamer, claimed that the PC had won the console wars, a statement that appears increasingly accurate four years later. The PC gaming experience is characterized by customization, modding capabilities, and extensive backwards compatibility, attracting gamers, with many previously console-exclusive titles now available on PC. Microsoft's early concessions in the console generation facilitated this shift, while Nintendo's exclusivity claims have not stopped legal emulation of its games on PC. Sony continues to enforce PSN requirements and lengthy exclusivity windows, leading to a reevaluation of timed exclusivity deals. Delays in PC releases, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 arriving a year after its console launch and the original Red Dead Redemption taking 14 years to reach PC, highlight this trend. Rockstar's track record for PC ports has deteriorated, with no clear justification for the absence of simultaneous PC releases for anticipated titles like GTA 6. Historically, Rockstar was efficient with PC ports, but the current delays indicate a disconnect with the PC audience. As of now, there is uncertainty regarding a PC release for GTA 6, suggesting Rockstar may be relying on secondary revenue from PC launches. In 2023, PC gaming revenue grew by 8%, while console growth stagnated at 0.5%. Although consoles maintain market dominance, much of this is due to the Nintendo Switch and older PS4s. If trends continue, Rockstar's focus on console releases may be misguided. The situation mirrors challenges faced by Square Enix with staggered PC releases. Despite the potential for growth in the PC gaming community, a significant shift in Rockstar's strategy seems unlikely in the near future.

Winsage

August 9, 2024

Almost all Windows 10 systems can be upgraded to the new version — so why are businesses holding back?

A survey by ControlUp analyzed over 750,000 Windows endpoints and found that while 88% of businesses are technically ready to upgrade to Windows 11, 82% have not yet made the transition. Among organizations still using Windows 10, 11% will need complete hardware replacements, and only 1% can upgrade without hardware changes. The end-of-life deadline for Windows 10 services is October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing updates, leaving users vulnerable to security risks. Windows 10 currently holds a 64.99% market share compared to Windows 11's 30.83%. Microsoft offers free upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11, but devices must meet specific hardware requirements. The shift to newer hardware may support the transition to Windows 11.

Winsage

June 18, 2024

Microsoft is still struggling to get users to switch to Windows 11, years after release

- Microsoft is seeing low rates of people upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, despite the free upgrade offer. - Windows 11 has a market share of 27.67%, while Windows 10 still dominates with 68.34%. - One major reason for the low upgrade rate is the system requirements for Windows 11, which some PCs do not meet. - Windows 11 has had performance and compatibility issues, leading to reluctance from users to upgrade. - Windows 10 support will end after October 2025, potentially leading to an increase in Windows 11 market share, but many users may still stick with Windows 10. - Windows 11's market share is currently only a quarter of the world's total, indicating slow adoption compared to previous Windows versions.