I give Microsoft props for a relatively new design, instead of the copying from the past. Little tiles with functionality are more unique, and in the end, more effective than widgets/gadgets. Like I said, it's a unique approach compared to Android and especially Samsung's implementation of Andriod that look just like Apple's iOS, and I kinda think it's more useful.
Nokia also has the chops to do amazing things, but honestly I haven't seen their latest offerings. I DID see their very cool nano-tech phone concept that you wear on your wrist, stretches out into a small tablet (with solar charging), and is self cleaning. Nokia is not in the spotlight any more as much since Android and iOS reached a new bar.
Microsoft and Nokia, the biggest companies in their fields, they used to be "the man" with market dominance and stagnant development, but now they have really strong competition. It'll be really exciting to see how they apply their vast resources when they truly try to compete in the mainstream space.
I have no idea why mostly just enthusiasts are aware of Sennheiser, but I feel that as high value underdogs such as V-MODA redefine the market and people learn about the alternatives to iBuds, Bose, and Beats (a lot of B-phones?), personal audio will undergo a mini Renessance as well
Tho perhaps not as big as when iPods made headphone listening mainstream, at a level far beyond walkmans...
