Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Helping Google Inc. (GOOG)?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been working hard to made a stronger play in the mobile marketplace, thanks to the launch of the Windows 8 and correlated Windows 8 Phone operating systems last fall. While there was some hype over the new OS, Microsoft seemed to be a bit vague about its sales numbers in last week’s earnings report, which has caused some mixed reactions by the market since. The company even went so far as to launch its own hardware with the Surface RT tablet computer – with the Surface Pro due to come out in the coming weeks.

But could Windows 8 actually be helping Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), which runs competitor OSs Chrome and Android?

While Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is getting huge results from its Android operating system in the smartphone space, the company has been struggling to get traction with its Chrome OS, but it seems that several Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) OEMs have announced alliances with Google to develop and launch their versions of Chromebook. The latest “defection” could very well come from Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), a longtime Windows OEM, which is apparently about to announce its own iteration of a Chromebook that would be run by the Chrome OS created by Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). This report comes in the wake of a recent report from Acer that it has seen solid sales of its Chromebook, while at the same time announcing that its sales of Windows 8-powered computers.

While Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is seeming to be quick to blame the OEMs for their Windows 8 sales, it seems that these manufacturers have been looking for another avenue in the PC and tablet market once Microsoft launched its own hardware called Surface. Meanwhile, Acer says it may start launching Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) Chromebooks in markets outside the U.S., after the devices have accounted for nearly 10 percent of all U.S. sales.

What is happening with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)?

While Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been blaming its hardware partners for not having sufficient hardware that could properly support Windows 8, the hardware suppliers have noted their struggles of Windows 8 on a couple of factors – first, that Microsoft created the Surface in the first place to directly compete with its OEMs; and second, the OEMs blamed Microsoft and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) for not providing the drivers in time for the OEMs to ship their Windows devices in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Meanwhile, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been upgrading and improving its Chrome OS to the point that many of the hardware partners have seen sales success due to improved software, and security to go along with lower prices.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) stock closed Monday’s trading at $27.91 per share, up slightly on the day, while Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) stock was down slightly on the day to $750.73 per share. What do you think of the tablet and laptop competition among consumers? Do you think that Microsoft is  sabotaging itself with the Surface, and are you a fan of the Chrome OS? Let us know your thoughts on both companies – are they going in opposite directions or the same direction? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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