Rank | 2010 Rank | Region/Country | Sector | Brand Value ($m) | Change in Brand Value |
3 | 3 | United States | Computer Software | 59,087 | -3% |
Microsoft continues to dominate the PC operating system, server software, and office productivity software markets. This is both a blessing and a curse as the future of computing moves to the mobile space. Competitors continue to lure customers with mobile applications that turn individual devices into ecosystems. Google's no-cost model will continue to put pressure on Microsoft's profit margins, and Google Apps could threaten the Microsoft Office business with its competing cloud integration and collaborative tools. A new partnership with Nokia is likely to shine a bright light on Microsoft's mobile software, which has had a tough history with both consumers and providers. This, along with the recent acclaim for the Xbox Kinect, the Windows Phone Mango OS, and tablet-ready Windows 8 designs, indicates that Microsoft has all the pieces in place to build a strong consumer business.