It sounds like blasphemy to even utter those words in the same sentence. Microsoft? Ending? But how?! But since  Apple’s boisterous return in 1997 and Google’s overwhelming popularity over the last decade, it seems those two companies keep spitting out nothing but success while Microsoft is stuck in third gear.

With the release of Google Apps, Microsoft’s Office program has surely seen a decline in sales. Google offers the same applications, including an email service, presentation software, a document creator, a calendar that can be shared with other Gmail users, Google Reader, and the Picasa photo album, all for free. Compare that to Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, which can run you up to $150! This is why Microsoft recently announced that for Microsoft Office 2010, there will be two versions: a PC-based edition, which will still cost you money, and a web-based edition, which will be completely free. The web-based version, known as Office Web apps, will have similar features to Google docs. Also, within the last couple weeks Google has announced their plans to create their own operating system, Chrome OS, that will start out running on netbooks. Since it will primarily be web-focused, the popularity of Chrome OS is still up in the air, but since many computer users’ priority today is the internet, a netbook with the Chrome OS will seem like the right computer for them. Finally, Microsoft has tried to compete with their own version of… well, Google, with Bing, their newest search engine. Many critics have only one thing to say about Bing: “But It’s Not Google.”

Apple has been a long time rival with Microsoft, and over the last few years they’ve really stepped up their game and become proper competition for MS. The quality of Mac computers has always been solid, but combined with improving sales and the second-to-none iPod. Do you honestly know anyone that doesn’t have an iPod by now? Microsoft tried to compete with the Zune, but by the time they released their MP3 player it was a bit too late. The iPhone is another smash hit for Apple. An MP3 player, GPS unit, phone, and browser all rolled into one is everything someone could want and more, not to mention the thousands of different apps available (some of Josh and my favorites include Urbanspoon and Shazam). Also, take a look at the prices of each company’s new operating systems. The Mac OS X Snow Leopard scheduled to come out this September will come on all new Macs, and for those with Macs already, the software will only run them $29. The Home Premium edition of Windows 7, the cheapest version, will cost you $119.99. It seems Apple has the right idea, considering if you wanted Windows 7 bad enough you could just find it for free. I know as a consumer I will gladly pay $29 for a new operating system I know I’ll be able to rely on as opposed to $120 on a system that could be Vista with a new label.

Microsoft does have one powerhouse going for them however in the XBOX 360. Although the XBOX’s popularity was overshadowed by the Playstation 2, many gamers today are interested in the 360. Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s Playstation 2 are still enormously popular, but the 360 is our generation’s preferred console by far. I mean, come on: it has instant-queue Netflix, easily-obtainable downloadable content, achievements (I love the PS3, but “trophies”?…), and playing with and talking to friends is incredibly simple. If you want more evidence of the 360′s growing empire, just take a look at the games available and becoming available for that console. Metal Gear Solid‘s newest installment (Metal Gear Solid Rising) will be making its way to the 360 – previously a Sony exclusive. Square Enix also announced this summer that the new Final Fantasy, FFXIII, would be on the 360 as well. These are two blockbuster titles that once on the 360, will hurt the other systems’ sales for sure. Finally, you also have to consider other games like Silent Hill and Grand Theft Auto that have left the Sony exclusive realm. Is it just a matter of time before Uncharted and inFAMOUS do the same?

Overall, Microsoft is experiencing a hit that nobody really thought possible until recently. With all of the new competition, is Microsoft’s spotlight flickering?

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