Is Now The Time For Microsoft To Hit Back At Apple?

Writing in a piece for Digital Trends he claims that Microsoft might be able to exploit weaknesses at Apple right now by bringing to market a successful Windows Tablet device. “This might be just the break Microsoft needs,” Enderle writes.

Taking a pot shot at Apple, he said that the company who delivered a 78 per cent increase in profits earlier today has gotten itself into quite a mess after widespread complaints from users over reception problems with the iPhone 4. He said that the company’s typically reliable PR machine made some really questionable moves.

 “A killer Windows Tablet that outperformed the iPad in some critical areas could make a splash right now, while another dud could have the opposite effect, confirming that the executive team has likely overstayed their welcome.”

Apple has already surpassed Microsoft in market value. Now, is the maker of the iPad and iPhone about to top its longtime nemesis in quarterly revenues? That’s the question that Fortune magazine asks in advance of Apple’s quarterly report on Tuesday, and Microsoft’s on Thursday.

Enderle claimed that had the company just admitted to having a problem up front and issued free rubber bumpers or covers for the phone (something I think they likely should have always done, given how fragile it is), I’ll bet it would have been trivialized. However, Apple instead tried to cover up the problem. In the end, many publications, including Consumer Reports, have effectively called the firm dishonest, earning Apple unflattering comparisons to Toyota and the phone itself to Windows Vista.

This might be just the break Microsoft needs. Let’s explore what this chink in Apple’s armour means for Microsoft.