Typical Microsoft, they are being ignorant. If they were smart they would be putting software on it, make an office program for it or something instead of ignoring it and making stupid comments like that.
To be honest, I'd prefer to see Microsoft as far away from the iPhone as possible for the simple reason that their usual business practice is to release a hobbled version of an application, then point at it and laugh. Brad Brooks's comments a couple of weeks ago on the Apple Tax is a wonderful demonstration of this since he describes Office:mac as a "stripped-down versions that don't have nearly the amount of features, or the usability like the ribbon on Office". And who makes Office:mac? Nice, Brad, real nice.
I'd much prefer to see companies developing for the iPhone (or any other platform, for that matter) who don't have a conflict of interests.
I will note, since perhaps my last comment doesn't show it, that I have a lot of respect for the Mac Business Unit and the work that they manage to do in a company where their success surely is not desired. Brad made note that the Office:mac version of MS Office is inferior because it doesn't include the Ribbon but oddly neglected to mention that this was done intentionally because no one actually likes the Ribbon and MBU heard this feedback loud and clear. The MBU could, no doubt, produce good software for the iPhone but I suspect that they will be forced to cripple it versus the software available for Windows Mobile.
@Kelmon : Like Apple doesn't cripple iTunes for Windows? I've used iTunes on Windows and OS X, and the Windows version is really horrible, while the OS X version is much more nicer. Safari for Windows first came out with a lot of bugs, and still isn't even a decent desktop browser.
I think you're also stretching it a bit by saying "no one actually likes the Ribbon". I know a LOT of people who love the Ribbon interface. Those that can't except change or even try getting used to a different type of interface are that ones that don't like it. The visual layout, and the placement of commands into tabs make it easy to use. It's so logical, that I find it hard to believe someone would hate it.
There's a world of difference between purposefully crippling an application and simply not making a good version. I do not know what the reason is why iTunes does not work well for Windows but I am 100% certain that it is not on purpose. Certainly you don't hear Apple telling reporters that iTunes for Windows is worse than iTunes for OS X and that people should buy the Mac version for a better experience. Producing bad software for Windows is hardly likely to encourage people to switch to the Mac, is it?
And, no, no one likes the Ribbon. Seriously. The Mac Business Unit had every intention of bringing it over from Office 2007 to Office:mac 2008 but their customers told them not to. It isn't because the couldn't do it but simply because no one wanted it. And the customer is always right. Even the Windows version had to be scaled back for the release but by that time it was too late.
FYI - the principle problem with the Ribbon is simply that the Office interface has remained largely unchanged since I can remember (back with Office for Windows 3.1) and everyone knew where everything they needed was. The Ribbon had laudable goals but it fundamentally changed the interface for existing users. New users will no doubt get on with it but existing users hate it because they can't find where options now reside. Whoever changed the interface completely for Access 2007 needs to be dragged out into the street and shot.
The Cobra Tag may help you win that losing battle, acting as a Bluetooth device that attaches to your key ring and connects to your phone, it gives you the opportunity to find the missing item if it's less than 30 feet away.
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Typical Microsoft, they are being ignorant. If they were smart they would be putting software on it, make an office program for it or something instead of ignoring it and making stupid comments like that.
Look at the nice little logo on the left http://www.apple.com/iphone/ Microsoft Exchange!
MS is already making money on each iPhone sold...
To be honest, I'd prefer to see Microsoft as far away from the iPhone as possible for the simple reason that their usual business practice is to release a hobbled version of an application, then point at it and laugh. Brad Brooks's comments a couple of weeks ago on the Apple Tax is a wonderful demonstration of this since he describes Office:mac as a "stripped-down versions that don't have nearly the amount of features, or the usability like the ribbon on Office". And who makes Office:mac? Nice, Brad, real nice.
I'd much prefer to see companies developing for the iPhone (or any other platform, for that matter) who don't have a conflict of interests.
I will note, since perhaps my last comment doesn't show it, that I have a lot of respect for the Mac Business Unit and the work that they manage to do in a company where their success surely is not desired. Brad made note that the Office:mac version of MS Office is inferior because it doesn't include the Ribbon but oddly neglected to mention that this was done intentionally because no one actually likes the Ribbon and MBU heard this feedback loud and clear. The MBU could, no doubt, produce good software for the iPhone but I suspect that they will be forced to cripple it versus the software available for Windows Mobile.
@Kelmon : Like Apple doesn't cripple iTunes for Windows? I've used iTunes on Windows and OS X, and the Windows version is really horrible, while the OS X version is much more nicer. Safari for Windows first came out with a lot of bugs, and still isn't even a decent desktop browser.
I think you're also stretching it a bit by saying "no one actually likes the Ribbon". I know a LOT of people who love the Ribbon interface. Those that can't except change or even try getting used to a different type of interface are that ones that don't like it. The visual layout, and the placement of commands into tabs make it easy to use. It's so logical, that I find it hard to believe someone would hate it.
There's a world of difference between purposefully crippling an application and simply not making a good version. I do not know what the reason is why iTunes does not work well for Windows but I am 100% certain that it is not on purpose. Certainly you don't hear Apple telling reporters that iTunes for Windows is worse than iTunes for OS X and that people should buy the Mac version for a better experience. Producing bad software for Windows is hardly likely to encourage people to switch to the Mac, is it?
And, no, no one likes the Ribbon. Seriously. The Mac Business Unit had every intention of bringing it over from Office 2007 to Office:mac 2008 but their customers told them not to. It isn't because the couldn't do it but simply because no one wanted it. And the customer is always right. Even the Windows version had to be scaled back for the release but by that time it was too late.
FYI - the principle problem with the Ribbon is simply that the Office interface has remained largely unchanged since I can remember (back with Office for Windows 3.1) and everyone knew where everything they needed was. The Ribbon had laudable goals but it fundamentally changed the interface for existing users. New users will no doubt get on with it but existing users hate it because they can't find where options now reside. Whoever changed the interface completely for Access 2007 needs to be dragged out into the street and shot.