Back in early October, we discovered via an annual shareholder letter from Microsoft that the company promotes itself as a “devices and services company” according to CEO Steve Ballmer. Ballmer believes that devices and services impact the way the company is run and how new experiences are developed. Now, we learn that the Xbox platform is the heart of this shift.
“I said that over time, the full value of our software will be seen and felt in how people use devices and services at work and in their personal lives. This is a significant shift, both in what we do and how we see ourselves — as a devices and services company. It impacts how we run the company, how we develop new experiences, and how we take products to market for both consumers and businesses. The work we have accomplished in the past year and the roadmap in front of us brings this to life,” Ballmer stated in the letter. Xbox Live turned 10 last week and was originally a gamble when it was launched. Everyone thought it was going to miss its mark. Now, when you really think about it, the Xbox entertainment console does more than just gaming, but also lets you stream TV/Movies, listen to music, and have your own personal fitness trainer. As Microsoft continues its shift towards being a devices and services company, the Xbox entertainment console is at the heart of this shift, according to Microsoft. Looks like the company has some big plans for the Xbox platform.
