The Resurgence of Microsoft?

This post is from WSO blogger Bottera: 

Microsoft has finally done something with Internet Explorer that seems to be good, it has “do not track” on by default in the new version of IE. Online privacy issues are always a concern, at least based on the media. With the Facebook IPO disaster and people skeptical on Facebook’s ability to monetize its user-base without angering them over privacy concerns, could Microsoft have made a good business decision by doing this?

While “tracking privacy” vs “information privacy” are different, both are still concerns.

Microsoft has been doing well with XBox and its peripherals, opening more Microsoft stores, and getting praise on its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Over the past few years it has seen parts of its business losing share to other competitors such as Google and Apple, but it has been trying to stop the effect. 

In addition to its core, Microsoft has begun focusing more on software and services for cloud based environments. SaaS, Cloud, etc are all the big talking points about where the new growth in technological services and Microsoft has the resources to be a leader, if not the leader, in the market.

MSFT stock is up 10% (it was at 25% at one point) YTD while the S&P is up 2% and the Nasdaq is up 5%. 

Does Microsoft have what it takes to start being viewed as innovative (by some at least) again? Is it possible that it can create a following that Apple has in this post Jobs era? 

Source: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Microsoft-Sets-Do-Not-Track-as-Defaul…;