The empire strikes back: Microsoft returns to the top of the world

The company appeared to move a step toward opening its services in the past week, agreeing to offer its streaming music on Amazon’s Alexa-powered devices.

“Apple has a great track record when it comes to reinvention,” said a research note from Gene Munster and Will Thompson of the investment firm Loup Ventures.

It anticipated that the company’s “next reinvention does not involve product replacement; rather, it will require a shift in mindset to consuming Apple products as a service.”