GETTY Microsoft's ubiquitous operating system now faces increased competition from iOS and Android

Microsoft's ubiquitous operating system – Windows – is facing a "potential extinction moment". Longtime Microsoft author and pundit, Paul Thurrott has warned about the increased competition from rival operating systems, including iOS and Android. Devices like the iPad Pro and Google Pixel C, which bridge the gap between heavy work laptops and entertainment-focused tablets, could now challenge the traditional portable PC market, thanks to new productivity-focused software updates. In a cruel twist, it was Microsoft's own Surface and Surface Pro devices that kickstarted the popularity of this hybrid two-in-one category. But the strength of iOS and Android amongst consumers could trigger an exodus from Microsoft (and constantly pestering people to upgrade to Windows 10 might not be helping).

APPLE • YOUTUBE Tablets like the Pixel C and iPad Pro can now replace traditional laptops

"What both Google and Apple have, however, are secret weapons that Microsoft lacks: Incredibly popular mobile platforms," 49-year-old Thurrott posted on his hugely-popular blog. "And as these platforms mature, they are becoming increasingly viable PC replacements. And it won’t take much to put them over the top. "Microsoft, of course, has tried, but failed, to match the mobile efforts of its competitors. "But with Windows RT and Windows phone utterly failing in their respective markets, Microsoft has an exposed flank."

After six generations of iPad, the post-PC world that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs predicted could finally be around the corner. Google recently unveiled an early beta of its next version of Android which included split-screen multi-tasking – a feature designed to make the mobile platform a more viable laptop replacement. And thanks to the popularity of Android and iOS, software developers (including Microsoft) have released fully-fledged versions of traditional desktop apps, including Microsoft Word, Adobe PhotoShop, and more. This makes iOS and Android a threat to Microsoft, Thurrott has argued.

GETTY Recent improvements to iOS and Android operating systems make them viable PC replacements

"Sitting here on the cusp of that revolution, we can finally see how Microsoft’s Windows phone and Windows RT failures have deeper ramifications than just the smart phone and tablet markets: it is much easier to improve mobile platforms enough to replace PCs than it is to try and simplify PCs and make them more suitable for mobile usage scenarios.

This is a potential extinction moment, with Android and iOS playing the role of the asteroid Paul Thurrott

"Especially when you have Microsoft helping you on the app side of the equation. "This is a potential extinction moment, with Android and iOS playing the role of the asteroid that is hurtling to earth to kill off the Windows dinosaurs." The news comes as Microsoft's latest attempt to address the 'App Gap' in its Windows 10 offering saw the US firm convert a number of classic desktop apps for the next-generation operating system.