Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO Says Windows 8 Faces Strong Demand

Chief Executive of Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT), Steve Ballmer said on Monday that the demand for the company’s new Windows 8 operating system that was released on Friday has been running at a higher rate as compared to Windows 7.

Ballmer mentioned at an event releasing new Windows phones that a high preliminary demand for Windows 8, which is well above than that of Windows 7. Ballmer finds it a gratifying moment.

Windows 7 has been the best-selling Windows version till date. It has sold over 670 million licenses in a span of 3 years ever since it was released in the year 2009.

Ballmer referred to Microsoft’s first branded tablet that there has been overwhelming response to Microsoft tablet and Windows 8 globally. The tablet has been designed to compete with Apple’s iPad. Ballmer has not divulged any sales figure.

It was on Friday when moderate lines at Microsoft’s stores across the US were noticed.

Ballmer has participated in an event in San Francisco that showcased phones operating on the new Windows Phone 8 software.

Microsoft has gone through tough times to make a place in the smartphone market. According to IDC’s reports, Microsoft holds just 3.5% of the global market, compared to 68% for Google’s Android devices and 17% for Apple’s iPhone.

IDC has shed light on how new phones are utilizing Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud service allowing users to sync and transfer music files, photos and documents between tablets, Xbox game consoles and tablets. Microsoft also said that it now has around 120,000 applications available in its online store for phones. However, the figure still way lesser than the numbers of applications are available for Android and iOS users.

Ballmer and a number of other Microsoft executives flaunted sleek and colourful handsets from HTC, Samsung and Nokia.