The past, present and future of Microsoft
It was 33 years ago that IBM signed an agreement to use software for its coming PC - software from an obscure startup named Microsoft. That business connection with the leading computer company led to Microsoft becoming one of the largest companies in the world - larger even than IBM. Fast forward to today and consider what just happened. While the timing may be a coincidence. two announcements last month show how fortunes have been reversed.

The same week Apple and IBM agreed to work together on business applications, Microsoft announced it would lay off 18,000 workers. There has not been a lot of good news for the Windows and Office maker. After arriving four years late to the mobile party, they have been slow to recover.

The iPhone 6 is coming - the iPhone 6 is coming!
While Samsung brings out new phones and tablets almost weekly, Apple offers only two new versions of each every year. That makes every Apple announcement a big deal and this year the September 9th unveiling of the iPhone 6 is no exception. As we get further and further from the Steve Jobs era at Apple, the business world is wondering if the company can still perform. This year's introduction of the 8th generation iPhone will go a long way toward answering that question - one way or the other.

The biggest change will be larger screens on the new models. These are rumored to be 40% and 90% larger than the three and four year old 4 and 4S models that are ripe for an upgrade. Apple will probably continue to offer the current 5S model since they've always sold the previous edition at a lower price and there are people who are quite happy with a smaller device - particularly those who have a tablet. Remember when bragging rights went to the one with the smallest cell phone!