Microsoft’s Consumer Business: A Strained Relationship
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Microsoft, under the stewardship of Satya Nadella, has garnered attention not just for its innovations but also for its apparent neglect of consumer-facing businesses. The Surface, Xbox, and Windows divisions have been reported to suffer from underfunding and cost-cutting measures, as the company diverts billions towards the pursuit of artificial intelligence trends aimed at boosting its stock value.
Many of Microsoft’s applications and services, including Microsoft Authenticator, Launcher, and SwiftKey, have begun to resemble abandonware, raising concerns about their future viability. The fiscal year has been marked by significant layoffs, the dissolution of customer service teams, and the closure of retail locations. Additionally, the company has made cuts to its social media teams, leading to a recent incident that encapsulates these challenges.
On September 7, 2025, the Surface account on social media faced a wave of criticism, with users questioning how a trillion-dollar enterprise could falter so dramatically. Comments ranged from disbelief to humor, with one user quipping, “Even Microsoft can’t bring themselves to use the Surface.” Adding to the irony, the community notes feature on X highlighted that Microsoft was promoting its products using iPadOS instead of Windows 11.
While this misstep may seem minor in the grand scheme, it reflects a broader trend of carelessness that has emerged under Nadella’s leadership. Recently, Microsoft found itself defending against allegations that a Windows 11 update was damaging SSDs, which sparked memes referencing Nadella’s previous assertion that “up to 30%” of new Microsoft code was generated by AI—suggesting a potential scapegoat for the flawed update.
Security has also become a pressing issue for Microsoft, with numerous breaches exposing vulnerabilities within its systems, leading to a series of embarrassing incidents over the past year. Despite these challenges, shareholders appear unfazed by the company’s recent slip-ups, rewarding Microsoft with a staggering market capitalization of .6 trillion, the second largest in corporate history.
However, there are growing concerns that the AI boom propelling Microsoft’s stock may be a bubble poised to burst. If this speculation holds true, it may be prudent for Microsoft to redirect its focus and resources toward its more traditional and diversified businesses, rather than continuously chasing the latest technological fads.
As it stands, modern Microsoft seems to lack a clear ethos or mission, and its inability to manage even the fundamentals of social media effectively underscores this perception. One can’t help but wonder if a shift in strategy might be in order—perhaps even considering a pivot towards banking could provide a fresh perspective for the tech giant.
Microsoft Surface gets trolled, fact checked by X Community Notes for showcasing iPad OS instead of Windows — “The ultimate research buddy.”
Microsoft’s Consumer Business: A Strained Relationship
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Microsoft, under the stewardship of Satya Nadella, has garnered attention not just for its innovations but also for its apparent neglect of consumer-facing businesses. The Surface, Xbox, and Windows divisions have been reported to suffer from underfunding and cost-cutting measures, as the company diverts billions towards the pursuit of artificial intelligence trends aimed at boosting its stock value.
Many of Microsoft’s applications and services, including Microsoft Authenticator, Launcher, and SwiftKey, have begun to resemble abandonware, raising concerns about their future viability. The fiscal year has been marked by significant layoffs, the dissolution of customer service teams, and the closure of retail locations. Additionally, the company has made cuts to its social media teams, leading to a recent incident that encapsulates these challenges.
On September 7, 2025, the Surface account on social media faced a wave of criticism, with users questioning how a trillion-dollar enterprise could falter so dramatically. Comments ranged from disbelief to humor, with one user quipping, “Even Microsoft can’t bring themselves to use the Surface.” Adding to the irony, the community notes feature on X highlighted that Microsoft was promoting its products using iPadOS instead of Windows 11.
While this misstep may seem minor in the grand scheme, it reflects a broader trend of carelessness that has emerged under Nadella’s leadership. Recently, Microsoft found itself defending against allegations that a Windows 11 update was damaging SSDs, which sparked memes referencing Nadella’s previous assertion that “up to 30%” of new Microsoft code was generated by AI—suggesting a potential scapegoat for the flawed update.
Security has also become a pressing issue for Microsoft, with numerous breaches exposing vulnerabilities within its systems, leading to a series of embarrassing incidents over the past year. Despite these challenges, shareholders appear unfazed by the company’s recent slip-ups, rewarding Microsoft with a staggering market capitalization of .6 trillion, the second largest in corporate history.
However, there are growing concerns that the AI boom propelling Microsoft’s stock may be a bubble poised to burst. If this speculation holds true, it may be prudent for Microsoft to redirect its focus and resources toward its more traditional and diversified businesses, rather than continuously chasing the latest technological fads.
As it stands, modern Microsoft seems to lack a clear ethos or mission, and its inability to manage even the fundamentals of social media effectively underscores this perception. One can’t help but wonder if a shift in strategy might be in order—perhaps even considering a pivot towards banking could provide a fresh perspective for the tech giant.