The Engadget Interview: Bill Gates, Part 2
Let's change gears a bit. There's been a lot of talk recently about a possible compromise between HD-DVD and Blu-ray, but Microsoft isn't mentioned in these discussions. You guys aren't firmly in one camp or the other, but how important is a single unified standard to Microsoft?
Well there're certainly some great features in terms of the fabrication costs that the Toshiba proposal has and there's some capacity benefits from the Sony camp. And I'm not a hardcore hardware person to know if there is a way to get the best of both worlds, given the politics of who gets the patent royalties and the credit and into the market first and all that. It may take a little bit of time for this to be worked out. We're not at the center of that because we're not a hardware company, and yet we need to make sure that whatever comes out is supportable in Windows. And there're some configurations of those devices a year ago that in terms of the way they were thinking about things technically wouldn't have worked well with the PC environment. We've made significant progress with both camps on that. For example, supporting what we call VC 1 as an encoder that we have as a feature in Windows. Not exclusively, but as one of the required things that happened like six months ago. That was a great milestone for us.
Microsoft is basically agnostic towards either format?
[Long pause] We want to see a single format, and we think it's best for the PC industry for a single format to emerge. That won't necessarily happen and if it doesn't then to some degree we'll have to support both formats.
I really wouldn't want to pick that. I think you basically would have a stalemate because who's going to buy movie
thinking that they're buying a Beta movie? I think it would freeze the marketplace. That's why there's so much pressure
to try and get this resolved. I think basically the winner of [any stalemate] will be called DVD. And HD movies, at
least those delivered on an optical disc, would be set back two or three years.
That actually leads to my next question about home entertainment and the PC. Microsoft has a lot of behind the scenes
initiatives right now, but what do you think the relationship is between the Media Center PC and then something like
Foundation, Microsoft's software for set-top boxes?
Let me try to be succinct about this. In the home you're going to have a variety of devices. So you'll have a set-top
box which you can think of as kind of the simplest device. It will clearly be able to handle digital rights management
and deal with high definition digital video. And then you'll have something like a video game that will be a superset
of that. And so, for example, Xenon is more powerful than any next-generation set-top box and it can be used as a
set-top box, but obviously it can do a lot more than that; you can run the entertainment and other software
there.
Then you have a Media Center PC that's even beyond that in terms of storage and the kind of ecosystem that exists in
the PC world. And so in the case of the set-top box you typically would store the video back on the server, either the
Media Center server in the home, or the your video provider server back at the head-end. And that does have an
advantage over sticking a hard disk on everything because you don't even have to think about recording something [ahead
of time]. The old shows are just there. There are various rights issues to work out on this, but we've got the user
interface and IPTV gives you the ability to watch a show anytime you want without having planned that before the show's
aired or having this hard disk in your living room. You shouldn't have to have that.
Anyway so all these things that have to work together in the home, and the cheapest device is that set-top box. We're
working with the cable industry and the telco industry on that piece and then we do all this server software for them.
You're right that this IPTV thing is very exciting and it doesn't get that much visibility because you know right now
the design wins are with cable and telco, and until they roll out big numbers the people won't get that TV is going to
change, and that the way you're going to serve, the way you're going to find things, the way you're going to interact
with the ads, the way you're going to think about DVRs, that's just going to change. And even the boundary between
what's an interactive game and what's TV, that boundary—of course there will still be those two poles—but there'll be
things that are even in the middle in terms of learning and game shows. Some of this stuff was talked about 15 years
ago when we first got into this and those dreams are becoming a reality.
But how does the Media Center PC, for instance, survive the transition to digital TV? It seems like there's a
lot of resistance on the part of the cable companies to provide the kind of support for CableCARD that third-party
digital video recorders, be it a Media Center PC or TiVo, really need to be a part of that ecosystem you're talking
about.
Oh, we'll get support for CableCARD into Media Center. That's the whole idea of enabling different end devices to
connect to the cable network. I mean there are a lot of efforts to enable that to happen. We're working hard with the
cable industry right now to get through the specific qualifications there. But that's a very necessary thing and it's
nice that the framework guarantees that end devices can get connected up on an objective basis. So we're off doing
that. In fact, we have good relationships with the cable industry that are hopefully helping us get that done faster.
So we will do that. We have a DTV over-the-air antenna capability in some of the Media Center PCs today, but we really
want easy access to all video sources. Today what you have to do is you have to do an analog to digital convert back
in, and that's a little bit harder to set up, a little bit more expensive, and you give up a little bit of quality when
you do that. You really want to have those digital bits directly, but they reasonably want to make sure that there's
some degree of protection there as good as, say, they have on DVD or other things.
Before we have to wrap things up, I wanted to ask you about Tablet PC. According to IDC, only 1.3% of all PCs
sold last year were Tablet PCs. Is that good enough? Were those the sorts of numbers that you were expecting when you
launched the platform a few years ago?
Well I believe in Tablet and I'm never the best person to know what the ramp up will be like. We're not mainstream yet
and we are hardcore, we're going make it better and better and get this thing to be mainstream. I'm very encouraged by
this sales growth we're seeing right now. The last three months has been the record by far. You know, it just takes
time. You gotta get the cost premium down. We're working hard on this one. We expect it to be a standard feature of
every portable and that would be more like 30% of all PCs than 1% of all PCs. So we're going to get there.
How far away are we from that, do you think?
I'm not good at predicting that. I'll be bold enough to say two years away, 2 ½ years away. It's very non-linear. It's
not like you go one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. I mean you go you either go one, one, one, one, one, or
you go one, ten, 15, 20, where it's just "Oh, you didn't get graphics user interface? What were you thinking? You
should have graphics. You didn't get a USB connector? Come on. You know that's a necessary thing." And we need the word
to spread. We need people to sit on a plane and see somebody next to them who's using OneNote and they go, "Whoa, what
is that?" We need people to annotate things and mail it to people and when they get it they open it and say, "How did
that person do that, that is so cool the way they've circled and underlined and done those things." And we just need to
get the price points coming down. We need the dual-spindle machines that we didn't have. In retrospect it's clear, in
both software and hardware, that there was a lot to be done to get into the mainstream.
But doesn't what you just said point to the fact that a big part of the problem isn't just hardware and
software, that it's also with the way the Tablet PC has been marketed?
Yes. But then again, when you finally get that magic thing where you get the right hardware and software and right
marketing it's never really the size of the marketing budget, it's more how you get the exposure. Because after all,
all marketing does is take enough of a group that loves the thing and gets them talking to their friends. And we have a
little bit of that right now. The people who own Tablets, many of them are rabid Tablet evangelists, and so we need
about ten times as many of those before we're moving towards the mainstream. There's a lot of neat technology behind
this, there's a lot of user benefit, like digital reading, digital annotation, and so I know that the Tablet OS we have
today is good, but the next big change will be the Longhorn Tablet. And we haven't shown any of the public that and
that's when I said we've only shown a glimpse of Longhorn. We haven't shown Media Center Longhorn, Tablet Longhorn, the
browser. A lot of stuff is ahead of us.
Media Center, Tablet PC will all be integrated into Longhorn, correct?
That's right. They will ship. We'll have different SKUs but all those things there will be a major release that will
ship with the client and so that's the big update for those things.
So I'll be able to get my Tablet Media Center PC?
Actually we are looking at that, we will have an SKU that combines those. That's been a little bit of a missing piece.
People like Toshiba that are doing these machines that are great for that have been very clear about that.
Well, thank you so much, it appears we're out of time.
I had a good time talking with you. You've got a fun job!
Thanks again to Bill and the people at Microsoft for their time; we'll have a podcast of the interview later this
week!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cullen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
oh hell no. cut dialogue? secrets to life maybe? im going to go do a FOIA request :x at least you didnt just slap some rectangles over it..
Ted @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Yes, Peter, you do have a fun job! Nice Interview
lupinstel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
"Microsoft is basically agnostic towards either format?
[Long pause] We want to see a single...."
Anybody else wonder just how long the pause was?
narco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
He sure uses the word "hardcore" a lot. He doesn't seem the type that would use it either, for some reason.
Fishes,
narco.
otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Yech. He mentions that his media center set-top box will do DRM before he even mentions it will play video. That's a disgusting outlook and very frightening for consumers. Microsoft and other large companies that wish to usher in the idea of a digital home environment really need to jettison the idea of DRM and tell Hollywood to stick it. There are no legal requirements that they bend over backwards to screw their customers just so the movie companies can sleep well at night. VCRs didn't win their court battle because they promised to include Macrovision. VCRs won their court battle because it is right and proper in a civilized free society that individuals should be able to use the media they acquire in non-infringing ways with ease. That means not being locked into playing the stuff back with approved software or devices, not being locked into keeping it on a certain box running a designated OS, not having expiration dates built into it, etc.
They can keep fighting it as long as they want, but they will lose as they always have and their struggle will only make it bloodier.
Deadend @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Hmmm Media Center Tablet... that sounds kind of fun. I could draw over the onscreen video, I could give everyone a mustache!
MOe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
How can you not ask him any questions in regards to the recently shipped OS X Tiger? I would love to hear him give his .02 on that!!
Peter Rojas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
I simply didn't have enough time to ask him about everything I wanted, that's all.
Tim Dorr @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
"well have a podcast of the interview later this week!"
Ha! I bet Bill is going to love that. Don't you mean playsforsurecast or something? :P
izzy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
good job peter
very well done interview
Pedro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
nice interview, what was it like sitting next to the richest man on the planet?
juliuss @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Yikes, I have to say, Bill is the most uninspiring big tech guy I can think of. It may just be me, but I want to be able to throw a dead cat in my house without hitting a Microsoft "solution."
The second thing I take away from this is the non-customer centered point of view he has. He doesn't think, "let's make this work for the user," he thinks, "let's take over x, y, and z markets." It's also telling, as another comment pointed out that the first thing he mentions about a media-playing device is DRM, not usability or empowering the user -- DRM. I mean WTF? I think Apple is showing that good products will sell themselves, but MSFT still has this dated mentality of "they'll buy it because we tell them to."
Bleh, the reign of Microsoft better be coming to an end.
Johny-D @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Did anybody else think that Bill Gates continually avoids what Engadget keeps asking?
Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
@otakucode:
DRM is going to come if you like it or not. The general public (not tech-geeks like us) won't buy into anything until they can get the content they want hassle-free through readily available sources. The content owners won't let that happen until there's DRM in place to ensure consumers can "use the media they acquire in non-infringing ways". The digital revolution (for want of a better term) needs DRM and I can't see it going well at all without it.
Remember that DRM isn't standardised yet - it's getting off to a shakey start, but once it is there shouldn't be any problems playing what you own anywhere you want. You sure you're not just unhappy you're gonna have to apply an exta hack to watch your downloaded movies?
Andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
I heard that Bill even talks and breathes like Darth Vader in these interviews.
Buy a Media Center Longhorn and the rest of your life will be run by MSFT.
Give in to the "Dark" side.
Finishing.Law.School @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
is he wearing a toupee?
OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Good interview, very interesting.
But is Mr. Gates manner of speaking really that disjointed? If so, now I know why Windows crashes so often, it's execution path is obviously modeled after Mr. Gates own thought process...
But enough Bill-Bashing. Yes! If any further interviews are done with Billy G some questions about Macs/iPods/MacOS would be appreciated.
But why not go a step further and have a Nightline style 3 way discussion between Gates, Jobs, and Linspire frontman Micheal Robertson? I'd probably pay a small bit of money to read/view/listen to that if required.
Thanks Peter!
Not so bad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
It was a good interview interview I thought. Nothing really insightful, but good questions and answers that were maybe not very specific, but gave more of a vision. And I think MS products are generally good for the most part. I'm so sick of people complaining about MS all the time. At least MS has a vision. Which is more than most MS naysayers have. They just like complaining about what they don't like and how they're being ignored and their rights are being trampled. Down with the man! And those that go on about how Apple is so much better, that's fine, buy Apple. But remember, people have a choice. And most people choose MS over Apple for a reason. Such negativity. Sheesh...Just my 2c (now watch me get bashed up too).
Carl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
I didnt even think about how the "we will podcast the interview later" till the above comment pointed it out XD
strange.... interview of Mr Gates to be PODCASTED!
Clint @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
He says "were not a hardware company." What the heck is the XBox then?! No wonder Apple and Sony are doing so good lately. This guy is clueless. I hope Microsoft's XBox 360 fails miserably.
zed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
say what you will about bill g, but having a guy like him call your job fun is quite a compliment ;) i don't think he'd say that about very many
i look forward to the follow-up in 2 yrs when we'll know if tablets are 30% of the market...
Stalfos @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Bill Gates and Microsoft are a disease. First they have totally destroyed the computer industry with their OS and monopoly, which is all thanks to IBM (who regret now what they have done. In fact, they now use Linux instead of Microsoft's crappy Windows OS). Windows is technically about 12 years behind other operating systems (especially Macintosh and Linux). All that Microsoft does is stealing other people's ideas and paying off courts when they getting sued for it. Microsoft sucks so much they couldn't even create good Office applicatians, so they added anti-Lotus codes to their OS to make Lotus produce errors. That's how MS Office became a standard. Microsoft coulnd't even create a browser, so they paid off Spyglass, created IE, including in their OS, and "won" from Netscape and as if that wasn't enough, Microsoft stole countless of ideas from Netscape and recreated it in their crappy products (i.e. JavaScript-JScript). XBox is another pathetic excuse to extend their monopoly. They couldn't even come up with a video game console, so they made a small PC and labeled it "XBox" (actually, they paid off others to make the hardware). It's unbelievable to see how many people are dumb enough to buy into this Microsoft hoax. The only purpose of the XBox is wipe out every other videogame console developer by making it almost equal to a PC (which Microsoft currently dominates with their crappy OS). They have done it with Windows, IE, Office, MSN, Windows Media Player, etc, and now they are doing again with XBox. If Microsoft didn't had they money they have now (which they have "earned" from their antisocial monopoly) they would have gone bankrupt. Bill Gates should be put to death
Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Nice Job Peter. Great Work.
As to Clint and the aspect that "we're not a hardware company".
Dude. Do you even understand the Xbox business model? Microsoft does not make Xbox to profit on the hardware. They actually sell the box at a loss. The profit is in the XDK (Xbox Dev. Kit), Xbox Live, and the Games Microsoft makes. The Xbox itself is a way for Microsoft to sell more software and extend the Windows reach into the living room. Take a look at Halo 2: $125M in the first day of sales.
Stephen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Good job Peter! So who's next... Stevie J.??? Looks like word is getting out: http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=11899&cid=3&cname=Technology
Stefen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
"So Ill be able to get my Tablet Media Center PC?" - "Actually we are looking at that, we will have an SKU that combines those."
Great, Peter, a lot of what makes good journalism is about asking the right questions. You did. You've made news. Congratulations.
Greetings Stefen
Pip @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Tablet PCs will never take off. As long as people can type better than they can write, which is 99.9% of the population, no one will go near tablets unless they're graphic artists touching up photos. It is just plain common sense here, and i'm laughing on the inside that he simply doesn't see it. Laptops have gotten so small and light WITH keyboards there really isn't a reason to bother trying to make them any more efficient. I think the only place a "Tablet PC" will take off is when LCDs get so good, and processors get so good that you will be able to run Longhorn on something the size of a Palm Pilot. Till then, keep dreaming Bill.
Also, the fact that he things "DVD" will be the standard over then HD-DVD and Blu-Ray wars is like saying VHS will be the standard between the DVD and DIVX wars.
You've missed the boat again, Bill.
Seahub @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Nice job Peter!
give a break to Gates guys. Fine that microsoft miss many but they also hit some. All these fanatic attitudes against microsoft and bill gates are paranoid and dont bring anything to the table.
Noah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Whoa Stalfos simmer down buddy. You have a distorted and biased view of the current situation. Sure Microsoft has aggressively dominated this market but that is what you would expect from any competitive company. Look at your beloved Apple. Coupling ipod to itunes is not that different. In order to be fair, shouldn't Apple have to open itunes sync to other devices and allow other programs to sync with their ipods?
Mikkel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
I think the tablet PC will eventually succeed, but not for the reasons Bill mentions; I'd say that it needs a "killer application": a new unique way to be used; pen-based input, and a rotating screen just won't cut it, for the premium in price. What that "killer app" is, I don't know for sure, (maybe graphic design?), but I'll bet it will be software based ;o)
palombasso @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Just pointing out a few non-senses I read in the comments:
"First they have totally destroyed the computer industry(...)" - Yeah, it's totally destroyed! No one even makes computers anymore, cause no one is buying and using them everyday... :P
"This guy is clueless." - I think you should say that after you earn your first billion.
"As long as people can type better than they can write, which is 99.9% of the population (...)" - You would be write with buy population you mean "people reading this article". I think most people still feel much more comfortable with a pen than with a keyboard. I also don't think the tablet will reach the 30% of the market he says, but don't think this is the main reason.
Best comment yet: "is he wearing a toupee?" :P
Not defending Microsoft or Bill Gates specifically. They made some really agressive, and sometimes unfair, business moves, but to think that everything they do sucks and promote then as the devil on earth is just really, really dumb...
[]'s
Stalfos @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
To Noah, I'm not a fan of Apple. I have never said that. I hate Microsoft and Bill Gates.
palombasso @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
whoa...messed up really good in here... :)
change "You would be write with buy population" to "You would be right if by population" ... righting several things at once sucks... :P
Stefen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Pip, see the screenshot you see on the page that appears when you click on my name.
(OK, my own article, my own handwriting, from a MS press conference during Cebit fair in Hannover, Germany, this year.)
Take a look at it and you get an idea how useful a Tablet PC can be, e.g. for me as a journalist (, a little Tablet roundup in German) or e.g. a pupil, student etc...
Greetings Stefen
Stefen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Hum, I mean the screenshot on page 6 of that article, sorry, pasting the link fails to show up correctly :(
Stefen
Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Bill Gates is the only true visionary of our times, as well as being the single most generous philanthropist the planet has ever seen.
Even the fact that he wedged his way into the mix way back in the day by buying the rights to CP/M and reselling them to IBM proves the he gets it
Where would we be without M$? Communications need standards and M$ is as open with its tech standards as any capitalist company can be. The collection of talent working for Mr. Gates today is probably the best, most effective group of intelligent people since the framers of the US constitution.
Can you honestly say the world would be a better place if Apple/Jobs were dominant? Apple is totally closed loop, making both the hardware and the software, demanding a high price for each and suing the crap out of anyone who even thinks of crossing them.
From my point of view, they are way more concerned with style than substance and are more reactionary than innovative. I have never met Steve Jobs, but from what I can tell, Hes an asshole.
I love Linux, power to the people, but it isnt even close to as easy to use as Windows, and I dont think it will be anytime soon.
Bill Gates name will be remembered a thousand years from now.
Stalfos @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Spyvie, Microsoft is the most sued company in the world. Even Apple sued Microsoft and that is not because Apple "thought" that Microsoft was crossing them but because Microsoft stole QuickTime sourcodes from Apple. So Spyvie, that does indeed proof that Bill Gates is a "visionary", ROFL! He is a dirty thief that has been stealing other people's ideas ever since he founded Microsoft. So yes, the world would be a MUCH BETTER PLACE IS WE DIDN'T HAD THAT PIECE OF SH*T MICROSOFT AND BILL GATES.
Linux is indeed more hard to use than Windows, with the exception of Linspire.
Spyvie: "Apple is totally closed loop, making both the hardware and the software, demanding a high price for each"
Microsoft has even fined people for selling non-Microsoft products, so shut up.
niC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Stalfos you must be some disturbed fellow there... It scares me that there are so many of you out there... One Question, How did Microsoft destroyed the pc Industry? It's sad to hear that bashing when Microsoft has done so much for the PC industry. So many speak of Microsoft stealing ideas but never aim at apple. While apple revolutionized many ideas like the windows like interface they took from Xerox to create the Macintosh they are no difference between apple and Microsoft. Microsoft may have done wrong in people's view by eating little fish but hey it's the nature of the business... name me one big business that has not done that? I'm sure you would not find one. The Microsoft stealing ideas it's no different then any other company... I can be sure that Apple is one of these companies. I have friends working in different software fields in the computer industry and guess what majority of software businesses reverse engineer their competitors software. Microsoft is a business and just as how nature works, they have to eat the little one's to feed itseft. Not saying that it's nice to do that but neither is eating the burger you eat knowing it came from a cow which was slaughter... Oh as for Clint's comments on Microsoft being beaten by Sony in the Gaming Industry, i'm thinking that you are talking bout an altenate world? Cause last i recall was that Microsoft box sales per box last year were higher then SONY PS2 and being from a newcomer to the industry I think that's pretty impressive. People just have to recognize Bill is a genious and you shouldn't hate someone for that... one more thing... Spyvie and palombasso I praised your Enlightenment: thumbs up...
Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
No I won't shup up Nah Nah Nah!
Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Spyvie, yours is one of the most delusional posts I've ever seen. No use even trying to talk sense to people like you who cannot see a shred of reality.
And for the record, I own multiple PCs and Macs and use them both happily.
Mind Sharer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Well done Pete. You are good at interviewing.
Erik Jorgensen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
"As long as people can type better than they can write..."
IMO you are not seeing what is happening in the tablet space. The best tablets out there are slim laptops that let you switch between the keyboard and the pen with no fuss. This gives you the best of both worlds. We have a few people where I work that got tablets and did not even know they were tablets. Even the the nay-sayers have ended up using the pen over the keyboard in many situations. The convertables are going to take over the market. Not that I think keyboard-only or table-only systems are going away, but I think the convertables are going to win once the cost comes down.
"Also, the fact that he things "DVD" will be the standard over then HD-DVD and Blu-Ray wars is like saying VHS will be the standard between the DVD and DIVX wars."
I think you missed the context. Read it again. What he said is that if there is a stalemate between the two new standards, DVD will *win* in the sense that it will remain the most popular choice because many consumers will wait for one of the new standards to pull ahead before switching. Your analogy is flawed because DVD had already become a standard and started suplanting VHS before DIVX was even in the picture. It would be better to compare it to the battle between DVD+R and DVD-R. But that analogy supports Mr. G's statment because the battle between DVD+R and DVD-R did extended reign CD-R.
To bad Mr. G's skill as a public speaker is only on par with George Jr.'s. :)
Jorgie
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Ok guys a couple of things you are forgetting about Microsoft and corporate america in General they say what they say because they know we will buy it cause damn so far we have. as far as a 3 way between Bill Steve and Robertson need you forget that MSFT does have something to do with Apple so really it's just an extended 2 way. The OS's you guys want to talk about will go something like this.
Engadget we would like to talk to you about the Tiger Os.
Bill Gates: The what I have no idea what that is it's not made by MICROSOFT therefore I don't care. (as he stands to leave he puts back on the Dark black helmet and begins his VADER laugh) YOU ALL BELONG TO ME WA HA HA HA!!!!!
jayson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
reply to #39:
IMO Tablets will only take off if they overcome hardware limitations. Laptops and Desktops are still more powerful than tablets. And Desktops are customizable and expandable. I don't think you cannot play high-end games, run super simulations, create complex CAD drawings, etc. on the current tablets.
mizu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Hopefully the Longhorn browser is tabbed and has the ability to import/export bookmarks to Firefox/Opera.
Will the podcast have the edited out endin?...
Bill: I had a good time talking with you. Youve got a fun job!
Peter: Well, I like your job too. We can swap if you like!
Bill: [short pause] No.
Gygaxis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Wooooo I want tablet pc os for my laptop sooo baddly, I'm an artist and I've _GOT_ a seperate tablet that I could use with it fine, just no software support T_T
David Webb @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Bill G. can hype or spin whatever he wants.The truth is in the numbers.The number of people buying,Sony,Samsung,Novell etc.
Just like Wal-Mart people are getting tired of Microsofts heavy handedness.Apple and the Linux community both need to rally support with more low priced,easy to use,impressive operatating systems.I dual boot between windows and linux as there are still a few apps that won't run on linux.That list just keeps getting shorter daily.
One of the biggest things that non-windows platforms needs is support from major hardware/software manufacturers and developers.
As for DRM.The French just concluded that's it's illegal in thier soviern(sp?)nation.Microsoft,big government,RIAA,MPAA etc all want to rule YOUR computer.I say it's high time to fight back.No future microsoft products for myself or my family!
ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
niC-
just want to clear something you said. Comparing the apple exchange with xerox and the apple exchange with MS is not a proper comparison. If i recall it correctly, apple was invited by xerox, apple hired members of xerox parc team, and i think even some money was exchanged. Later, Apple invited MS to view the macintosh and afterward MS went out an started windows. That was why apple was pissed at MS and xerox was not pissed at Apple. I scratch your back if you scratch mine is quite different from "Hey, nice idea. yoink!"
That being said, i agree. There is no point in getting so rabid about this stuff. It is just computers. Get rabid about something like genocide or the like, not one OS over another.
Tirol @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Jayson,
I disagree with your statement saying that Tablets have to overcome limitations. A lot of labtops have the Dothan (Centrino) processor which is a lot cooler, about as fast if not faster, and has a MUCH better battery life than the current P4s. Look at any Dothan vs. P4 benchmarks and you'll see that it is comparable. In fact, if it weren't for that fact that the motherboard and processor for the Centrino cost an arm and leg, I would be building a desktop based on that. And of course, desktops are usually more powerful than labtops because you're sacrificing power for portability although that is changing rapidly.
Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Felt the urge to drop in another .02:
Regarding tablets, I reckon the main problem is price. They're perfect for browsing the web/email/etc. on the sofa (like smart displays but god knows what happened to *them*) but who's gonna pay the prices they're asking at the moment to do that? And pen input just makes sense for so many reasons I can't be bothered to list them.
I think the whole next-gen DVD thing wouldn't have caused such a debate if you read what Bill actually said: "I think basically the winner of [any stalemate] will be called DVD." I'll repeat that last bit for anyone who missed it: "_called_ DVD". Isn't he commenting on the fact that consumers will probably go for the product with 'DVD' written on it (in whatever form; HD-DVD, DVD2, ultimaDVD, whatever...) since they recognise the name?
Ty @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM
Andrew - I agree with you about the tablets... if the price was say, only $100 more over a similar laptop without the pen-input, I think a lot more people would go for the upgrade.
And to everyone that's mad at Microsoft for stealing ideas: everyone steals ideas. It's one thing to have a good idea - it's something else entirely to take that idea and put it into the hands of millions. Anyone that has ever tried to invent anything and market it has to agree that the hardest part about making something new is making it marketable. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's more to just having an idea - taking that idea and turning it into something great is a major part of the development process, and MS is good at it.