Microsoft Logo: New Look For Tech Giant

For the first time in a quarter of a century, the computer giant revamps its logo as it prepares to launch a wave of new products.

US tech giant Microsoft has unveiled a new corporate logo, setting the stage for a wave of products designed to cast the world's largest software maker in a new light.

The redesign is the first time Microsoft has revamped its logo since February 1987.
The new logo features a symbol made up of four separate coloured squares - reminiscent of the old Windows logo featuring wavy squares - next to the name of the company.
"Today's new Microsoft logo is the first time the company has accompanied its logo with a symbol," a spokeswoman said.

The company is also making an aggressive effort to gain ground in the smartphone market.

"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.

"This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning."

Bill Gates with the logo in 2003

The logo also includes the name Microsoft in the Segoe font that is used in products and marketing communications, along with the new squares.

It started being used on Thursday on the Microsoft.com website and in three Microsoft retail stores.

This is Microsoft's fifth logo since Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the company 37 years ago.

When it last changed its logo in 1987, Microsoft had been a publicly traded company for less than a year and boasted a market value of about $2bn (£1.3bn).

It peaked at more than $600m (£379m) in 1999. Now, Microsoft's market value stands at $254bn (£160bn) - less than half of Apple's market value of $623bn (£393bn).

In October Microsoft is set to release its Windows 8 next-generation operating system tailored for a world shifting from personal computers to smartphones and tablets