Ballmer keeps talking, says Android "looks like version one"
By Nilay Patel 
posted October 2nd 2008 8:04PM
posted October 2nd 2008 8:04PM
Steve Ballmer's whirlwind UK media tour ahead of the Professional Developers Conference just keeps giving us sound bite gems: first it was Windows Cloud, then Zune on Windows Mobile, and now Stevie's taking shots at Android and the G1. Calling Microsoft David to Google's search Goliath, Ballms said that he wasn't worried about Android because it won't be "attractive" to other handset manufacturers because it's "version one... and it looks like version one." Not only that, but he apparently thinks Google's going to sit still, saying "they've got one handset maker, we've got 55. They're available through one operator, we've got 175." True for now, sure, but we know Android isn't going to languish on a single handset on a single carrier for long -- and we're pretty certain Steve knows that HTC and T-Mobile aren't exactly minor players, regardless. Still, it's some masterful bluster from a master of bluster -- now if he'd just back it up with Windows Mobile 7, we'd be way more inclined to believe him.[Via Cool Smart Phones]
This guy is a douche-bag.
The difference here being that Google cares about profit, customers, function, and principle (at least to a point) as compared to microsoft only caring about profit and caring for shareholders.
Guess what, Steve??? Nobody will make your "Jesus phone" in your lifetime. No matter what, it will always be "too difficult to use, not intuitive enough, too bulky, etc....."
Get over yourself. It's good enough.
this guy is annoying
You are annoying!
And a world without Windows would be terrible!
That Steve Ballmer is a billionaire is one of the universe's cruelest jokes. EVER.
I can see this guy harassing kids as a movie theater manager maybe, but billionaire? Laughable.
Lol...Ballmer is really terrible at talking about competition, he gets so offended by any kind of competition and gets defensive immediately, and makes himself look like a clown in the process. Why does he always cite his number against his new competition like Apple and Google, when they just got in the game. Things he forgets to mention are the enormous gains the competition is making on them, while Microsoft is having enormous declines especially in Windows Mobile.
Funny he should say Android "looks like version one" because Androids "version one" looks, operates, and innovates a million times better than Windows Mobiles "version 6" and years and years of experience. What a joke.
The difference here being that Google doesn't have to yell for "Developers, developers, developers, developers!".
Damn right. Plus we'll probably see new and impoved versions a lot faster. Just look and windows vs. linux-based operating systems. We're waiting for the seventh true iteration of windows. I'm on the ninth edition of Fedora...which split off from Redhat after 10 versions, for a total of 19 iterations. Open source stuff moves fast.
I wonder what'll come first: WinMo7 or Android 2.0?
Does it matter how fast it moves? Linux doesn't do anything more then Windows can.
Maybe true, but it doesn't do any less...except hog resources and cost money...and crash (yes they've improved this, but i still crash both my vista and xp boxes while my linux box remains indestructible).
Sorry but I haven't had my WinMo phone crash in 3-4 months. Sure, its not the best interface out there, but that's why there's a ton of shells to install over it. WinMo is OK, it's not spectacular nor garbage, but it does work just fine.
My 2cents
I love that guy.
Your mom looks like version one.
His comments ring totally of those of Palm's CEO, Ed Colligan, who said something like:
>>> "We've got years of experience in developing smartphones. [Apple] isn't simply going
>>> to walk in and come up with anything interesting"
when first discussing the iPhone.
He looks constipated in that pic 0_0 ...
On the contrary, he looks like he just sent off a big one.
I don't think I've ever laughed harder at two posts. I love you both.
They should do the honourable thing and write a version of mobile office for it. Before they're forced to by the inevitable uptake of this system.
And make it easier for corporations to adopt it? Hahaha...funny. That's one of their biggest edges over RimOS...much better Office file support.
Oh Ballmer, you've always looked like version one. :-)
Didn't version 1 have hair (and sweat less)?? This version looks like it's about to blue screen all over the place.
Dear engadget.
Please stop posting pictures of Steve Ballmer like that. I keep laughing and spitting Coke all over the monitor.
Yours, Jon.
Woooo!
Darn it, I could go for a refreshing soda right now, but all I have is ice in the freezer, and I am too lazy to go down the street .3 miles to the grocery store to buy some no-name soda...
That would involve putting the key in the ignition then turning it... to lazy... then I'd have to drive it.... then part it back in the driveway...
I'd rather take my bike.. but it is -2 out... too much dressing... sweater, shoes, coat...
This is why I have no girlfriend.. last 5 said I had no passion....
mac user == no passion?
Troll == No intelligence?
blah at android, i crap all over it.
Version 1 of Android looks better than version 6.1 of Windows Mobile.
Ballmer should stop dissing others and produce a version of Windows Mobile (and regular) that isn't crippled and doesn't have performance issues.
People are switching to Microsoft's competitors in droves, and they aren't switching back.
Windows Mobile? Crippled?
Let me tell you about a crippled OS....
you sir, are an idiot... congradulations!
iPhone
Android is version, what's the argument?
version 1*
This is just to make Goolge to show what it has up its sleeve to add to windows 7
Same Jack-Ass who laughed at the iPhone...
Him and Kevin Rose should go trick or treating together...
We all still laugh! Just silently beacause you guys are a big fruity MASSSS.
Every time I see this guy, I wonder how he can be one of the richest men in the world. Actually I feel he just was at the right moment at the right time, just like porn movies when a plumber goes into a house with a really horny M.I.L.F....
I love how Microsoft brushes off new competition as, "They aren't us." No S*#t. Thanks to open source help, Andriod's version 2 will be a huge leap. Then version 3 will be plain scary to Microsoft....I a betting on about 4 months to having Microsoft slinging mud. Anybody want odds?
you open source losers can improve android all you want... it still will never be half an iPhone.
"They've got one handset maker... They've got one carrier... "
The same could be said of the iphone a year ago, and no one can say that's been an unsuccessful platform... I'm sure if any manufacturer would have loved to port the platform to their phones, even in version 1.
Ballmer is just completely talking out his ass here, hoping to spread FUD about android.
that's hlarious...WinMo 6.1 looks like it's from the stone age
Can't argue here. Android for the time being, lacks certain functionalities of existing operating systems, but like such operating systems, it is a work in progress. Everything will come together soon enough. We all knew Android wouldn't have it all day one anyway.
Ballmer s just a walking parody. . .it's almost sad at this point.
Didn't he say no one would by an iPhone too?
I remember that. He laughed at the price saying no-one would buy it.
think about it open source may sound good look at the iphone people are writing programs for this phone and Jobs is turning it down some of them because it mite compete with the iphone programs. Open source open up doors for some one to write there own UI.
Wow, Microsoft calling themselves "the little guy", whats the world come to?
Yeah, he should talk, version 7 of his OS looks like version 6 and crashes more then version 5.
Where as a Google product while doing everything you need it to do, does it well, but has a terrible user interface for the first few updates.
You've tried WM7? Please tell us all about it.
Why does Microsoft let this guy out?