Microsoft is heading into 2016 on a mostly positive note, but next year will bring a new variety of changes and challenges to Redmond.
2015 was a major transition period for Microsoft as the tech giant pushed forward to become recognized as a modern tech company. This year we began to see the ideas behind CEO Satya Nadella's mobile-first, cloud-first vision become reality.
Most of the spotlight was on the development, launch and new strategy around Windows 10. Cloud dominated the financial reports, Office 2016 was tested and launched for Macs and PCs, and new Windows hardware hit the market.
[Windows 10 is prompting businesses to upgrade their PCs.]
Not all of the change was good. Microsoft's shifting strategy resulted in massive layoffs and executive shuffling across divisions, in addition to a $7.5 billion write-down related to its Nokia buy one year prior. On top of that, Redmond is facing the challenge of a struggling PC market.
As the company heads into 2016, it plans to continue exploring new technologies. A recent report from Microsoft shares insights from researchers across the globe who plan to explore artificial intelligence, advanced security and new potential for cloud.
Here we share some predictions of what will happen for Microsoft's products, services, and research, from both an analyst's and several researchers' perspectives. Which of these insights do you think are likely to become reality? Do you have any suggestions of your own?
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