The Windows 8 operating system debuted worldwide Friday, with Microsoft Corp. looking to gain a competitive edge in the market for mobile devices by focusing on smartphones and tablets.
As Apple Inc. and Google Inc. continue to increase their presence in multiple markets, Microsoft views its new OS as crucial to counter competition from its archrivals, according to experts.
"Microsoft is taking a big gamble over the next few months with Windows 8," U.S.-based IT consulting firm Gartner Inc. said last month. "It is a risk Microsoft must take to stay relevant in a world where mobile devices offering new experiences are becoming the norm."