Microsoft ends the year the most valuable publicly traded company in the world

In what may become known as a pretty great comeback story, Microsoft is set to end 2018 the most valuable publicly traded company in the world, well ahead of old rivals Apple and Google.

At the time of writing the standing is:

While Microsoft has never had as close a shave with extinction as Apple did in 1999, when a $150 million loan from Microsoft ironically saved it, the company has certainly been counted out for a long time by most media, analysts and pundits.

That was until Satya Nadella took the helm 5 years ago, and managed to focus the company on the segments which were already growing well, such as Azure and the subscription software market, while cutting the segments Microsoft appeared to be fighting a losing battle, such as Windows Phone and other consumer ventures.

While playing to its base has delighted analysts, the move has however alienated many of its consumer fans, who find themselves increasingly reliant on technology produced by Microsoft’s rivals.

Microsoft’s mission to serve every platform, however, has started to show its benefits, allowing users, for example, to control their Xbox using Alexa and sign into their PC using their Samsung phone fingerprint reader.

It is not clear what 2019 will bring for Microsoft watchers.  We know the company will continue its efforts to increase their efficiency by shedding proprietary efforts such as EdgeHTML, but some still hold out hope for ground-breaking hardware that is accompanied by exciting software advances, efforts which by necessity needs to be nursed through a money-losing phase. It remains to be seen if Microsoft is still the kind of company that can nurture such efforts.

Whatever happens, we will, of course, be here to bring you the latest news on Microsoft’s hardware and software adventures, so keep an eye on the site to be one of the first to know.