When did Microsoft turn into a major app developer?

Microsoft has always dominated my computer but my smartphone has been entirely void of Microsoft apps due to the fact that the company doesn’t release its services on other platforms, until now. The new Microsoft under the leadership of Satya Nadella is actually turning out to be a major app developer for Android and iOS. 

A week ago, the apps on my home screen were dominated by just about every major tech company except Microsoft. I had Google for search and email. Yahoo for sports and weather. Facebook for social networking, photo sharing (Instagram), and messaging. But last week Microsoft relaunched Outlook on iPhone and Android. The app was based on Acompli, an excellent email app Microsoft bought in December 2014 for a reported $200 million. It was a home run. After five minutes with the app, I knew Outlook was so good that I could delete Gmail. I’m still in love with it.