Microsoft working feverishly on answer to iPhone?

You've already seen bits and pieces of this morning's Today Show, but another segment in the broadcast managed to grab a trip inside Microsoft's Mobile Design Lab where engineers and "audio geeks" look to be hard at work as they try to "redefine cool." Notably, the video fails to show any undercover shots of prototype mobiles that Microsoft may have up its sleeve, and it seemed that this "sneak peek" was intentionally devoid of innovation (secrets we can't know about?). Nevertheless, we do get a chance to see dedicated ringtone makers, and while it's already understood, any future mobiles coming out of Redmond will reportedly attempt to cram "as much of your PC into your cellphone as possible." Best of all, however, is the aptly-dubbed isolation room, which left the interviewer grumbling over how tough it was to peck out an email on the tiny keys of his smartphone. And whether you want to believe it or not, Robbie Bach was seen stating that the iPhone "doesn't change Microsoft's strategy nor its approach."

[Thanks, Toph]

[Paul @ Jun 29th 2007 6:53PM]

iphone vs ps3!!!! 2 600$ devices which one will sell more!!!!

[Chris @ Jun 29th 2007 10:09PM]

iphone for sure.

[Rick @ Jun 29th 2007 6:55PM]

It's called the "SpeW. 'So What' on the outside and PEW! in the middle.

[BEETROOT @ Jun 29th 2007 8:09PM]

You already used the W, so whats on the inside is just pe.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jun 29th 2007 6:55PM]

Wouuuuh! Run for your life! The scary Zune phone is on the way...

[Anthony @ Jun 29th 2007 6:56PM]

Funny - I sought out a phone specifically that didn't: "cram 'as much of [my] PC into [my] cellphone as possible.'"

Thank you Symbian!

[ethana2 @ Jun 29th 2007 10:23PM]

Of course you don't want it to be a pc. You just want to use it to listen to music, browse the internet, do voice calls and im with people, check your email, watch tv, view and edit documents, and-
Oh wait.

You're another confused person who doesn't know what they want.
I want a pc, and I'm not buying anything else- not phones, not game consoles- And I will carry a tablet pc around on my back if I have to. Because there's always going to be another feature you're going to want to add- and guess what- that's what pc's do. What you want is a smaller, streamlined interface. That has nothing to do with whether it's a pc or not.

I can have a tablet pc and use nothing but wiimotes, a microphone, and a 3d headset to interface with it. If I own the hardware, it's still a pc. And I will always see to it that I completely own the entirety of my own hardware and software. Whatever it takes, you know, down to the whole "45 f5" thing.

[sean @ Jun 29th 2007 6:57PM]

.....and it was released 4 years ago. Come on. The implication is anything from HTC can't possibly be a computer or play music. Sheesh.

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jun 29th 2007 7:01PM]

"I got my iPod killer. The Zune. Brown."

[CJO @ Jun 29th 2007 7:02PM]

I'm quite sure Microsoft will have a competitive phone offering... launching in 2008... uh... 2009... uh... 2012. All you need is an MSN Music account and some patience for the multiple service pack updates.

;-)

[michael @ Jun 29th 2007 7:11PM]

I think you need to get a update: MSN Music doesn't sell music anymore. It's just a place to see and hear stuff related to music. But not to buy. You can't get service packs on phones, not even their OS's. Updates yeah, but a full service pack? I haven't heard of anything of that kind. Plus, there's no confirmed year yet, and all companies sometimes might have to delay something, like OS X Leopard and Vista. Delays are natural, but we probably don't even know yet.

This is just a rumor you know. Until we see something real, nothing is definite.

[CJO @ Jun 29th 2007 7:21PM]

Just being sarcastic... nothing serious in my posting. =)

[quandmeme @ Jun 29th 2007 7:09PM]

Obligatory: "Redmond, start your photocopiers."

Personally, I welcome the competition. MS, bring your best! As a consumer, I want the best at the best price. I hope MS, Nokia, and the Linux touch screen I can never remember the name up are all great. I'm hoping that they'll make iPhone 2Gen even better, and that the higher volume of components brings down cost.

[oGMo @ Jun 29th 2007 7:16PM]

Ah, the real reason for the iPhone... to keep Microsoft working on something useless that people will care even less about.

[cisco Kid @ Jun 29th 2007 7:23PM]

From the crowd that spent days b*tching about "haters".

[Sun Chiu @ Jun 29th 2007 7:28PM]

Microsoft has no innovation.

[cisco Kid @ Jun 29th 2007 7:42PM]

Really? How so?

I mean, a real elaboration of your comment, not some fanboy BS.

[tugger @ Jul 5th 2007 10:56AM]

It's true enough.. MS is actually far better at producing hardware than software (in terms of product quality) however they seem completely unable to come out with anything new. And when I say new, I don't mean more features, I mean conceptual. There are no new features on the iPhone, apple have simply (again) found a way to bring all the phone features together in a way that feels gorgeous, a way that makes you wonder why it wasn't always done like this. A way that makes you smile. Sony can do this, B&O, Bentley cars, leica....

Until MS can get some 'smilability' into their products, they are always going to be a 'Me too' product producer. Innovation needs to be felt , touched and enjoyed, not just seen on the product specifications...

[swede @ Jun 29th 2007 7:33PM]

Microsoft: Lovin' the FUD.

[Chip @ Jun 29th 2007 7:34PM]

Technically, Windows Mobile devices already kick the snot out of the iPhone feature for feature. http://clanbeowulf.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=7002#7002
The advantage of the iPhone is usability. Remind you of any desktop OS battles?

[Ed @ Jun 29th 2007 10:07PM]

Sure, my iPaq PDA can do everything the iPhone can do, and I probably do quite a lot of it, but although I couldn't live without it, I find it a frustration to use - frequent hard resets, general slowness, small internal memory...

Of course I don't think the iPhone would fit my needs - yet, I'd like to be able to install Apps on it and I'd like GPS.

Usability matters to people, I think more so in the crowded phone market than in the PC market.

[Dave @ Jun 29th 2007 7:43PM]

It's a big ass table.

[Graham @ Jun 29th 2007 7:47PM]

Take that, Apple!

[fli @ Jun 29th 2007 7:44PM]

Microsoft cannont come up with an answer to the iphone they arn't daring enough. luv em to death thou.

[todd @ Jun 29th 2007 7:49PM]

Well all i can say is...."good luck with that" LOL

[fli @ Jun 29th 2007 7:59PM]

Ever heard the saying "think out side the box". well MS kinda lives inside the box and has two armed guards outside so no one can go neither in nor out. Snipers to pick off any body trying to escape, they really dont want to get outside that box.

[Grmbl @ Jun 29th 2007 8:02PM]

> iPhone "doesn't change Microsoft's strategy nor its approach."

That's a spirit!

In other words "we don't have a clue and don't give a fuck about what market and consumers want. We will make Windows Mobile 7 Professional Communicator Extended Music Edition! It will power out allmighty Phune!".

It is kinda suicidal path to follow for high-tech company these days. Too much competition, even on Microsoft's turf (OS that is).

P.S. I'm WM5/WM6 used btw. At is sucks big time.

[Ed @ Jun 29th 2007 10:09PM]

Indeed it does, but sadly its better than the alternatives (iPhone excepted).

[dvtrail @ Jun 29th 2007 8:10PM]

I wonder, where you are going to have to store the xbox360 style brick that powers the the phone.
disclaimer: For those individuals that are lacking a sense of humor, I was kidding

[aaron @ Jun 29th 2007 8:29PM]

im sure ms has something they are working on internally.... and there are some very cool ideas they can build on w/o copying apple.

im still not sold on a touchscreen keyboard (atleast when its not multi touch where you can thumb... and lack of tactile feedback is going to be an issue as well). something like the samsung u740 (but bigger) is an interesting take on a way to keep tactile keyboard and at the same time get a bigger screen. (and there are other examples but i chose that one).

[Huy @ Jun 29th 2007 8:50PM]

Hmm... I love the smell of new innovation brewing. This is true capitalism. I won't be buying an iPhone, but I love the fact that it is getting all these other cell phone manufacturers to step it up.

[sr @ Jun 30th 2007 10:19AM]

Yeah, it is good. I am waiting for Nokia's response. Well, with the N95 already out I don't think they need to "respond" per se, but I'd like to see them step up their game even further.

[John Davis @ Jun 29th 2007 9:02PM]

Aaaah Microsoft. Leading from behind as always.

Microsoft is dead.

John Davis

[Luigi193 @ Jun 29th 2007 10:08PM]

"I got my iPod killer. The Zune. Brown."

LOL yeah, gotta love that guy(forgot name...don't want to wikipedia him cause im lazy)

Ive got my iphone killer, the Pune...brown.

[jilie @ Jun 29th 2007 10:19PM]

Engadget is cheating with the votes and deleting antiapple comments, very polite!

[Arthur @ Jun 29th 2007 10:20PM]

Got my iPhone.
Completely and utterly amazing.
Having been involved in software development for the past 8 years for Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian and using nearly every latest and greatest device, the iPhone puts them all to shame.

Amazing out of the box experience, everything is so damn easy and simple to use, maybe not yet a true business tool, but that will come.

Damn it's amazing. Well worth every penny.

Go Apple!
As for the others trying to play catchup, unless they completely rethink everything, there's no way we'll see anything comparable.

Back to exploring everything the iPhone can do...

[jilie @ Jun 29th 2007 10:32PM]

you'll end quickly then :)

[ethana2 @ Jun 29th 2007 10:26PM]

Open moko... Hello?

I'd think even if you aren't a nerd who insists on owning your hardware, the entire "no carrier locking" deal might get to you a little...

[bruckwine @ Jun 29th 2007 10:45PM]

iPhone v2, meet dedicated phone button which is GOOD for a PHONE *slaps iForehead*

[cyberarya @ Jun 30th 2007 12:19AM]

considering the zune it is probably crap. LOL

[Don't Panic! @ Jun 30th 2007 12:45AM]

The Pocket PC could have been the iPod killer but it had the audacity to be born first. Apple had the Newton first though...

Anyway, I think Microsoft will encourage larger screens on their Widows Mobile Devices now. HTC as ussual has already broken that barrier with the "Advantage"

The only thing keeping me from getting an iPhone is the network. CDMA RULEZ in the US!~

[Unregistered @ Jun 30th 2007 6:14AM]

RE: Ed @ Jun 29th 2007 10:07PM

"Sure, my iPaq PDA can do everything the iPhone can do"

I'm sure it can do most of it, and to some extent even more than what iPhone can do, but surely not *everything* :)

[sr @ Jun 30th 2007 10:17AM]

Yeah they will. They will ask HTC to make another cookie cutter design and add some new feature that really won't any purpose and market it hard.

[CinHK @ Jun 30th 2007 2:27PM]

How long ago was the Zune released anyway? Because it ain't available in most parts of Asia. Not that I'd want one. Why would anyone want to carry Windows around? It'll be a while before iPhones are available in Asia, but I know from day one that I want one. I hope the delay means an improved, updated version. By the way, if Apple made refrigerators, would Microsoft too? What's with the envy, Bill?

[Rick @ Jun 30th 2007 4:28PM]

Come guys, let's be honest. Although I own a MS PC, M$ has not done anything within the computer industry since Windows 95. Windows XP and all the other versions are just upgrades to Windows 95. No paradigm shift here, no new hardware, same old beige box (or black). No innovative music player, the Zune is playing catch up. Windows mobile is just Windows in a different box, that doesn't do anything special that a desk top doesn't do. If they are coming out with there own phone, again they are playing catch up. Dell has not released any new contemporary design computers that look and work like iMacs, Mac Mini's, ect. PC Laptops are cheap plastic, MacBook Pros are made from fine aircraft grade aluminum. Do you want a the Ford Escort or the Mercedes 350? Vista is OS X in a different color. However, the new coffee table computer is quite slick, although I have no idea what I would do with it in my own home. Finally, did anyone notice that during the Jobs-Gates interview last month, Gates never said the word iPod. He only mentioned MP3 player, Zune or music player. Never iPod!

[seattle @ Jun 30th 2007 4:45PM]

Microsoft is really *concerned* about this device. The 5 guys in line behind us (who spent about 8 hrs in line) were from the CE group at MSFT taking the iPhone back to campus for some immediate research...

[John C. Randolph @ Jul 1st 2007 3:42AM]

Of course, if Microsoft's working feverishly on something, you'll see it in about six years.

-jcr

[Jukka @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:25AM]

Microsoft?! WTF? I'm sure we will see Nokia, Motorola, SonyEricsson and Samsung strike back. In the early 80's Apple did shake the computer industry, challenges the giants like IBM and Digital was the n:o1 PC manufacturer for a while, shook up the industry, until an estabilished computer company IBM woke up and stroke back with the PC ... and in the end, Microsoft came up and won. Now Apple is shaking the mobile market and be asured, the existing giants will strike back - all in all it's good for the industry.

[Jon @ Jun 29th 2007 6:59PM]

Is Apple shaking the mobile industry? Perhaps in Apple-land they are. But for the majority of consumers, I highly doubt so.

[ethana2 @ Jun 29th 2007 10:12PM]

Is Apple shaking the pc industry? Perhaps in Apple-land they are. But for the majority of consumers, I highly doubt so.

I prefer compiz fusion and kiba dock anyway.