Viral Now: Microsoft calls for a truce with Apple Inc this Christmas

The video was released on YouTube on December 1 and has so far garnered 1.5 million views.

Can you believe it? Employees of rival technology companies Microsoft and Apple Inc. were out there in Manhattan shaking hands and embracing each other. Surprised? Everyone was. Especially, the bystanders who probably expected some sort of stand off, even a brawl, when Microsoft employees marched up to the Apple store. But, instead an NYC children's youth choir sang Let There Be Peace On Earth, while the workers from the two companies happily interacted with each other.

Well, in a bid to promote the spirit of goodwill this Christmas, Microsoft released an ad which presented the scene above. The video was released on YouTube on December 1. And, it has so far, garnered 1.5 million views.

In the ad, Microsoft employees, who were selected from across the country, gathered together to meet each other for the first time, at the new Microsoft Fifth Avenue store to spread some good cheer during the festive season. Joined by a local NYC children's youth choir, they shared a message of peace and harmony with their Apple counterparts down the street.

Here's hoping that the goodwill between the two arch rivals extends beyond Christmas.