Microsoft's consumer comeback

I've been impressed and even surprised of late with Microsoft's focus on remaking its image with consumers by paying attention and working at some of the hard things to turn around its image.

Nokia's new Lumia 920 Windows 8 phone

There was a time when I thought that it would be content to roll over and focus on enterprise computing, leaving the fast-moving consumer sector to other more nimble performers like Apple. This is obviously not going to be the case and consumers will be better for it.

Take for instance the new Hotmail Internet client that's been renamed Outlook, not to be confused with the enterprise email product that make sup a key part of Microsoft Office. Hotmail has always been a solid performing product. It's just that it had become stale and stodgy. The new Outlook, which uses the sexy Metro UI, is incredibly compelling and, yes, fun to use. I found myself dusting off my Hotmail account that I hadn't seriously used in years and even applying for a new Outlook address. If you've not tried it, it's definitely worth a look. I've been a Gmail user for some time, but the Outlook interface is much more pleasing and engaging.

Then there's Metro Twit. Again cool and fun to use. Are you seeing a trend here. I've even dabbled with Internet Explorer, which I'd not used in years. It's an old product that's been spiffed up with new features and speed enhancements.

This all brings me around to Windows 8, which is what will bring all of this together. It's getting great reviews. There's a tablet strategy and it may be just what's needed for MS to get back into the mobile game -- a space where it can't afford to lose. I've played with several Windows 7 phones and they are intriguing if not addictive. There are still three areas that need work: the camera, the display quality and the apps marketplace. Two of those are not Microsoft's territory, but the latter is and it's crucial.

Windows 8 promises to be a major boost for mobile. Already, the first hardware being shown gets at the first two issues. And Lord knows MS is working its tail off on the apps issue -- and making progress. Some of the best apps offer a user experience not achievable on either iOS or Android. The only problem is there aren't enough of them.

So, this is a very interesting time for Mr. Softie. Knowing more than a little about the company, though, I'm betting that this is a challenge where they are going to win.