Microsoft has adopted a new corporate look close on the heels of launching new products. Microsoft wants to present itself in new light as it is few weeks away from launching Windows 8 operating platform and its first tablet computer, called Surface. The company is also making an aggressive effort to gain ground in the smartphone market.
The new logo features a square made up of four separate colored squares. The new logo also includes the familiar red, blue, yellow and green colors used in the flag on Microsoft’s Windows OS, but the colors will be in a square box instead of the curvy template that has been in place for years. Those color boxes evoke the tiles that will be central to Windows 8. The logo also includes the name Microsoft in the Segoe font that is used in products and marketing communications, along with the new squares.
By revamping its logo, Microsoft is trying to signal that it has changed its thinking and its products to cater to people who are interacting with technology much differently than just a decade ago. Now, more computing tasks are being done on touch-based devices such as smartphones and tablets instead of personal computers hooked to keyboards and mice. Many software applications are now supplied over high-speed Internet connections for a monthly fee instead of being installed on individual computers.
“It’s been 25 years since we’ve updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change,” said Microsoft brand strategy manager Jeff Hansen.“This is an incredibly exciting year for Microsoft as we prepare to release new versions of nearly all of our products. From Windows 8 to Windows Phone 8 to Xbox services to the next version of Office, you will see a common look and feel across these products providing a familiar and seamless experience on PCs, phones, tablets and TVs.”
Nokia and Microsoft are expected to launch a smartphone on Windows Phone 8 operating system on September 5, 2012. Microsoft is scheduled to launch Windows 8 next-generation operating system ideally suitable for smartphones and tablets on October 26, 2012.
