Microsoft still major player in post-PC world, CEO says

Though the technology industry seems anxious to explore new territories, Microsoft® CEO Steve Ballmer says his company is by no means out of the picture and there is still a lot for Microsoft to offer in an increasingly post-PC world.

Speaking to investors and analysts during Microsoft's Financial Analyst Meeting, Ballmer asserted that Microsoft still has plenty of room to grow in not only the software market, but the gaming and internet search markets as well.

"There's plenty of shareholder value growth from successfully investing in these categories," Ballmer says, according to technology news provider CNET.

However, it will be Microsoft's upcoming Windows® 8 operating system that will serve as the focal point of Microsoft for the foreseeable future. Introduced at the BUILD conference in Anaheim, California, the upcoming OS is expected to keep Microsoft not only relevant in the traditional desktop and laptop PC markets, but competitive in the tablet computer space as well.

"Windows is at the center of our go-forward strategy. And we certainly think that's the right thing to do for our customers and for our shareholders," Ballmer adds.

Emerging mobile devices have certainly shaken up the technology industry, but PCs are still a key player. According to research firm Gartner, 364 million PCs are expected to ship in 2011, while tablet sales will reach 17.6 million.