Microsoft leaving "no stone unturned" in battle with Apple

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is taking the battle to former underdog Apple, stating to CRN that "we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple." Microsoft is working hard to create a single cross-platform experience with Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and the Microsoft Surface tablet. Ballmer said that Microsoft will be taking on Apple in every market it could find.

"We are trying to make absolutely clear we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple," said Ballmer. "Not the consumer cloud. Not hardware software innovation. We are not leaving any of that to Apple by itself. Not going to happen. Not on our watch."

Ballmer ticked off the advantages Microsoft currently holds with its Windows platforms, most of which are in the enterprise sector.

"We have our advantages in productivity," Ballmer said. "We have our advantages in terms of enterprise management, manageability. We have got our advantages in terms of when you plug into server infrastructure in the enterprise."

"We do feel empowered to innovate everywhere and bring our partners with us. We are just not going to leave any -- what's the expression people like to use -- We're not going to leave any stone unturned, so to speak, as we pursue that."

Microsoft Surface is an interesting move for Microsoft, who has traditionally relied on partners to build Windows hardware. Will Microsoft's bold gambit work when Windows 8 and Surface launch in October?