You just knew Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer would have some choice words about Google's
Chrome OS at today's Windows Partner Conference, and he didn't disappoint, saying that while he finds the project "highly interesting," the late-2010 ship date and existence of Android have him wondering exactly what it's supposed to be. "I don't know if they can't make up their mind or what the problem is over there, but the last time I checked, you don't need two client operating systems. It's good to have one."
Snap. Of course, Microsoft is shipping
six different Windows 7 SKUs, can't quite
get rid of XP, and sells Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Zune in the handheld space, but the man's got a point -- the real question is whether he's smiling or just baring his teeth in rage.
posted Jul 14th 2009 7:50PM
I don't see his teeth in that picture
Perhaps it's a cropped imagine.
Hint: ------ Dentata
-----------
I'd love to believe I'm the not only person whose mind went directly there.
No, you wouldn't. They're the last thing you see before you die.
Yeah, that's certainly a cropped imagine all the people.
Wow, "cropped imagine." Imagine that.
That's a heaping serving of Chrome FAIL OS Ultimate 64-bit for me.
I'm not sure exactly what Ballmer would be upset about anyway. As was discussed in the latest Engadget podcast, Chrome OS is not a threat to Windows, it's a threat to all the other Linux variations that are trying to get a foot in the door of the netbook arena.
why is Steve Ballmer all the way over on that side of my screen?
Because he's about to be pushed off.
Did you break the internets again?
Same man who said Apple wouldn't very many iPhones.
The whole thing?
Aplle wouldn't what??!?
I accidentally the whole thing
He said "Apple wouldn't very many iPhones"!
Don't you plain English?
this article's commentors' engrish fails.
lrn2engrish, plz
kkthxbai.
I accidentally the whole iPhone!
ooh! mad-lib time!
Apple wouldn't [DEFENESTRATE] many iPhones
ok your turn!
OK... let's see...
Apple wouldn't [TERMINATE] many iPhones
it needs to rhyme right?
wait, what
Kojo and Bradford just accidentally the entire meme
What is this I don't even
I am pretty sure he means, "The same man who said Apple wouldn't sell very many iPhones."
Oh man.....
Microsoft needs to take a page from apples book and standardize on OS!!!!!!
I'm not fanboying, but objectively, they seem to be doing pretty fine.
What does "standardize on OS" even mean? If your company has 90% of the market, doesn't that make you the defacto standard? Also, I didn't think there was a OS standard out there... but someone can definitely fill me in if there is.
@Kevin
It means one operating system, Such as Leopard
Not like windows business, windows professional, windows home......etc
I hope you get the idea.....
You do realize the reason MS has 90% market share instead of apple's 9%, is that by making different versions of it's software, MS allows it's customers to decide what best fits their needs.
I'm sorry you can't decide between Win7 HP and Pro, some of us don't have that problem.
Maybe you can standardize your OS when you only have about 7-8% of the market, but when your operating system is running on 90+% of the market, it's nice to offer your customers some options. Like most people won't need the advanced networking stuff that's in Pro, so they don't include it and give the people a cheaper price for not having it. But some people do want that stuff, so they can spend the extra cash. And businesses need all the network stuff plus all the permissions, bulk licenses, and more, so they need their own version. Mac users are the only people I have ever heard complain about a company giving you more options on how to use their product.
1) Apple sells OSX and OSX Server. In addition, there is a not-so-clearly-labeled OSX Family Pack, which is really just multiple licenses for vanilla OSX.
2) For 95% of the Windows demographic, there is one version of vista/7. The one that comes preinstalled on your PC. I'm not a huge fan of the multitude of skus, but if I'm inclined to purchase windows, I guess having the choice ain't such a bad thing.
3) XP, Vista, and 7 are all versions of NT. A good Apple comparison would be Tiger, Leopard, and Snow Leopard. You can still find Tiger for sale places, it's still supported. Not what they want you to buy, but there's a niche that can/will do it. People who want to run GL apps for PPC on an Intel mac can't do that reliably after ~10.4.6, for example.
4) Ballmer is putting more spin on the multiple OS issue than Federer can put on a tennis ball. You *can* install Android on a netbook, *but Google does not intend or encourage the practice*. It is a mobile "device'" OS. It's to compete in the smartphone segment. Chrome OS is more of a competitor to Ubuntu and Moblin. If you want, you technically *can* install Windows CE on a PC. So, in a sense, MS is in the exact same boat as Google.
DISCLAIMER: /me uses macs and PCs, but hates misinformation.
Does Windows CE still count as an OS at this point?
Microsoft isn't pushing two different operating systems for the same device.
Netbooks. Google has both Android and Chrome OS for Netbooks. WTF?
XP, Vista, and now WIndows 7... plus all the assorted versions of each?
Yeah, different versions of the same thing. Of course they make new versions as technology progresses. Chrome and Android and two completely different things.
@mike.
How dare they introduce newer versions of a program. Bastards.
Android is an open source OS designed for mobile devices, which can include netbooks. Given its nature Android is prety adaptable to different kinds of devices.
Chrome OS seems to be a web based OS which...... can also include netbooks but i think it meant for computers rather than mobile devices.
yes there is some overlap, but i think theres a clear distinction between the 2.... for now anyway.
who knows, maybe in the future we will have a chrome android :-p
google isnt pushing android for netbooks
The multi SKU Windows isn't different OS's, I'm surprised engadget would suggest that. It will confuse the market but that's a different issue.
As for netbooks, I'm fairly sure it's the OEM's who are pkaying with that not google saying that's what it's for.
Next people will be suggesting the iPhone 3GS 32GB black and 32GB white are different versions, and the 16GB 3GS, completely different.
All the versions of Windows 7 are in fact, Windows 7. And you can run the same applications as you do on Vista and XP, which are more or less the same thing as far as developers are concerned.
If you could run all the same Flash/Silverlight apps on your windows mobile, android or symbian OS, the OS would be largely irrelevant. Personally I was looking forward to the day we could write apps once, not having to write them in Java, Objective C, Flash, Silverlight, etc separately.
@MioTheGreat: Actually, Google has never officially even considered the possibility of Android on netbooks. And no one really knows what Chrome OS will be like, so it's fair to say they haven't got conflicting systems at this point.
the picture is all right-aligned or whatever
Are you seriously still on the "six versions of windows 7" thing? Sure, there are technically 6 versions, but people are only really going to have the choice between 2. Get over it already. Also, comparing the zune to windows mobile is like comparing the ipod classic's OS to the iPhone. OMG THE CHOICES!
And really? Windows CE? How many devices still use that?
Lots -- in addition to all the GPS units out there, all those new Tegra-based smartbooks and handhelds like the Mobinnova Elan run CE.
A better example might have been how Win2K, ME, various flavours of NT, 98 (and 95?) overlapped at different times. Not a company with focus, Microsoft.
Oh, and like Fake Steve says: Google are the New Borg.
It would be nice if Patel would get over himself and his slant and just report. It doesn't take much to understand Ballmer's point or to understand the difference between the multiple Microsoft operating systems and their roots and what Google wants to do.
Back then it was pretty much business and consumer, Hawkman.
Patel,
You are still pretty clueless, and miss the point.
As another poster noted:
"Microsoft isn't pushing two different operating systems for the same device.
Netbooks. Google has both Android and Chrome OS for Netbooks. WTF?"
Nilay: I know you're not a dumb person, so please lay off twisting the facts.
As a potential buyer, you're NOT gonna run through all six versions of Win7 at the time of purchase. This lie has been exposed several times in the comments section by now. Just. Stop.
XP can't be treated and ISN'T a different operating system. It's just an older version. People who aren't ready for a 2009 Yamaha R6 buys an R6S, which is basically the 2004 R6. Same difference. If you know about the existence of the two versions, you've already made your mind up about which one you want.
Both WinMo and Zune are built on top of the CE platform and are two different solutions with little overlap. Win CE is offered to clients who want to build custom solutions to fit their own needs. It can power anything from a cheap PMP to advanced GPS systems because it's a platform and not an end solution.
You are free to prove me wrong with facts, if you got any.
I think ol' Balms was stating that Chrome OS is basically the same product as Android...except less functional.
You mean like windows 7 is just like vista only without all the bugs?
You're both completely off.
I'm not sure if you're trolling or attempting to sound enlightened, so I'll just leave it at that.
Try reading the article on more time.
Microsoft is becoming the GM of tech. I'm already counting on future taxpayer ownership as part of my retirement plan.
I know huh?! All those billions in profit Microsoft cashes in on every year...sheesh...Apple and Google must be so afraid of ever being in Microsoft's current financial standpoint.
Ask those 5,000 people Microsoft is laying off this year how healthy the company is. Clearly Microsoft is a powerhouse, but they're being attacked on every possible front by very capable companies. When you're #1 in so many areas as MSFT is the path of least resistance becomes down (loss of market share). Google is now going for the jugular and people better hope Ballmer is the man that can protect Microsoft's cash cows, namely Windows & Office. Maintaining the status quo gets harder for them every day that passes and Ballmer's comments often sound like a pathetic dismissiveness of the coming reality. As an outside observer, I fear emotions are clouding his decisions.
Here's the balance sheet data:
AAPL $25B cash w/ no debt
MSFT $23.9B cash - $2B debt = $21.9B net cash
GOOG $17.8B cash w/ no debt
The Teeth are a lie!
Google is rising to a Hostile Takeover.
But yeah...They should combine all three of those handhelds into one. And make up their mind on ZunePass and now this eventual Spotify like service. Focus and expand on one product/service!
Maybe Ballmer is implying that they plan to scale down to a fewer number of OSes?
Anyway, aren't the Zune OS and WinMo both based on some form of WinCE?
The Zune OS is based on CE, but I'm not sure what Mobile is based on, if anything.
I doubt that Microsoft would scale down on the number of OSs, mainly because they're all for different devices.
Windows XP, Vista, 7 (all versions of the same thing)- PCs
Windows Mobile- Smartphones
Windows CE/ Zune- Mobile devices that aren't smartphones
Surface is almost certainly a modified version of Windows, and should not be counted as separate seeing as it's for a touch-sceen based tabletop computer. Azure is entirely different from the others as it is cloud-based.
Ballmer is saying that Android and Chrome are going to be used for mostly the same devices, whereas the separate Microsoft operating systems are for different devices.
WinMo runs on CE.
Windows CE is the core operating system, like NT is.
I wonder if the board of directors cringes when they hear this stuff. Other than being Gates friend back in the day and being in Mensa - what else qualifies this man as a CEO? Seems like someone with a high amount of intelligence is often saying some rather stupid things.
@Warren
"Blu-Ray is a bag of hurt."
"You don't need a removable battery."
"You don't need multi-tasking".
"You don't need MMS, at least for a couple of years."
You're right, CEOs say some pretty stupid shit.
+1 sweet greggo
However - Im not pushing Apple over Microsoft in any way. While Steve has said stupid shit - it seems to me Ballmer has had far more stupid comments. Check out these choice stories from Engadget alone...
"The Microsoft chief executive has questioned the mammoth $74m pay-package taken home last year by Oracle's Larry Ellison"
"Ballmer to Linux users: You owe us"
"Ballmer says Android "just some words on paper""
"Ballmer says tide has turned on Apple, "paying $500 more to get a logo on it" won't work in this economy"
And there are plenty more - I didn't include the wonderful 'iPhone wont sell' comment. Jobs is at least saying things that - although ridiculous - are statements about the direction the company is heading and choices they make in their products. Ballmer seems to just be talking smack about anyone and everyone with a 1/2 way decent idea.
Steve Ballmer seems to be doing a bit of double-speak, or maybe he just can't count!
If you're counting current OS's MS has we have
1. Vista
2. Windows Mobile
3. Zune (whatever it's running)
4. Surface
5. Azure
So... that's at least 5, and I'm skipping all the others that should be in there (XP, Windows 7, all the flavors of windows server, etc).
I can't see how Ballmer thinks he can play the "count the number of OSs game", and not get laughed at.
Listen, I have no special love for MS or anything, but the comparison you're making just isn't really valid. You can't run Vista and the Zune OS on the same machine, same goes with all the others you mentioned. Unless you have a Surface running Windows Mobile (ewwww).
The only valid point you came close to making was that Microsoft has the Zune operating system and Windows Mobile - no other Microsoft operating system lines are sold with the same device family in mind. Of course, Microsoft will not sell the Zune OS on anything other than a Zune so the metaphor dies there as well.
By the by, Azure will not be sold - instead the intention is to run it on Microsoft's own servers and then sell cloud computing services.
he can because his OS's dont overlap.
They also have different capabilities and purposes.
Surface should just be vista/7, but that is their only overlap
If chrome was going to target desktops, then google wouldn't be overlapping.
Windows Mobile and Zune run on Windows CE
Surface runs on Windows Vista
He's definitely not smiling. That's the face Stevie B makes before he knocks your punk ass out. Just look at him putting up the dukes.
Look at the pursed lips! He's making the infamous WHOOOOOAOOOOO sound that Bruce Lee made :)
Ballmer actually makes me actually miss Bill Gates. Wow, that's weird.
Yeah, I agree. The way you used actually twice isn't grammatically incorrect, but it sure sounds weird when spoken out loud.
@Chris
That's actually true.
Gee wiz Steve I we all use your logic about OS design and marketing then only Apple has gotten in right. OS X on computers, OS X (lite) on iPod's & phones. Nice to know!
Seriously, these guys gotta be feeling the heat. It is hard to be top dog when your too damned lazy to get off the porch and take a piss with the small dogs in the grass. To their credit this just shows how far ahead of the times they were back in the 80's. It has taken 25 years for any real competition to catch up to them and pose a threat worth MS lifting its head and taking notice. Of course even the competition gaining momentum is their fault for not remaining truly innovative and results oriented across their corporate board.
We are in for an interesting new decade!
With all due respect, MS Windows still has no honest competition at this point.
Linux is basically 1% of computer users. Apple is at 8%, and that down slightly. Android isnt for desktops unless you rig it so it will kinda work on one, and Chrome is just a press release and some fake screenshots.
Is competition of any kind good to keep MS moving? Yes! Is this competition strong enough to put a dent in MS's control? Not honestly. For all of the crowing and shouting on tech sites, once you go outdoors, you find that reality is way different
Let's stick with the one sure working version of Windows... Windows XP forever. Just like the corporations are saying that they don't need no stinkin' version of Windows 7. I'm willing to try Windows 7 Pro, but it had better be good or else I'll tell anyone who cares to listen, not to upgrade.
It's funny, Switched just ran an article for people who are as confused as you.
http://www.switched.com/2009/07/14/60-percent-of-businesses-skipping-windows-7-not-really/
Android is not for netbooks..it's stupid companies that are trying to make it, just trying to profit of smthg new. They fail. Android is for mobiles, and Chrome OS will be great for netbooks and such.
I dont know the guy. But Just by his choice of words to competition and then looking like a child with no clue, always make me NOT wanted to buy a MS product is this guy in charge.
He's not like-able to me, and thats bad in a public company.
Are you rapping?
Typical of Ballmer. He even "me too" my poopie face on that pic when I'm having diareah!
Firstly Azure is not an operating system, its a development platform indeed, but you can't create a boot installer for it. Anyways, there are currently two versions of Windows still available to the public XP and Vista. Windows CE and Windows Mobile are at this point two distinct market segments, CE is for embedded systems, and for mobile phones respectively
steve balmer needs to just die like im sorry he is just so anoying i just wana punch im in the face for being so sarcastic gaaaaaaaaaah i blame vista on him!!!!!!
I think your count is wrong...
1. NT platform (Vista, XP, 7, Server 2008)
2. Windows CE (Zune, WinMo)
Azure and Surface are not OSs! Azure runs on Windows Server 2008 and Surface runs on vista.
From what I've heard from Microsoft, it seems that they may be headed to eventually merge NT with Win CE but this will not happen until WinMo 7 at the earliest (and that's not very likely).
This being said, I think that Ballmer is still wrong. You do need two operating systems until the mobile tech completely matches todays desktops. However, as a counter point, what google is doing is basically creating two striped down operating systems for mobile devices (Chrome OS does not seem like a desktop OS at this point). This is where he is "kinda" correct in saying that they cannot make up their minds.
Ahh, that makes more sense, I thought your were referring to some sort of International Standards (like Web Standards). But if you just are referring to SKU's I understand what you mean.
Not sure what happened, but this was in response to Sam Weiss.
@myself
I give up... I fail at commenting...
It's seldom ever your fault. Most likely that of the antiquated commenting system.
So are your English!
(not to mention all your base)
Ballmers gets more eggs than any other ceo for good reason..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S30WdoEHCH4
Can you get another picture of this guy? It is physically painful for me to look at those fat jowls and puckered lips.
Thanks.
Developers Developers Developers Developers Develop... HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK CHROME OS OPERATING SYSTEM IS WORTH??? WAIT! DON'T ANSWER!! Five hundred dollars??? A Thousand???
he set us up the bomb.
why was my last line cut out?
/sarcasm for my previous post up there ^
can't quite get rid of xp? you mean because there are many users who still prefer xp over all other operating systems and so microsoft still sends out security and software updates?
yea i guess i know what you mean.
Actually, Steve Ballmer is a great guy. We go to the same Tulley's Coffee all most every Saturday and Sunday morning. The line at this particular Tulley's is crazy on the Weekends. As soon as he gets in line he goes straight to the front and buys drinks for everyone in line. He's probably bought me $100 worth of Latte's over the past year. Now I think that's pretty cool...
Bill Gates on the other hand bully's people everywhere he goes with his entourage of security agents. Anytime he shows up at a restaurant or goes shopping the whole store has to be cleared out. Once I was playing golf at New Castle and he showed up and it made the round of golf take 7hrs. Not cool...
You forgot that chrome OS and android are both linux based, so its could be double boot, chrome available just after 2 seconds after device powered on as light-weight browser OS, and if you want full functionality - you run android (its allready has x86 port, even here on engadget :) )
Even more, android could boot in background while you surfing thru the net :)
(sorry if my english isn't perfect :) )
@chrisdatlas
WTF are you talking about? Bill Gates hardly ever travels with an entourage. I've had dinner at PF Changs when he was there and it was just him and Melinda, not a security guard in sight. And they certainly didn't shut anything down for him. But anyway you weren't really interested in making fair statements about their personalities, you were just enjoying an opportunity to name-drop.
Android = ARM based processors (RISC)
Chrome OS = x86 based processors (CISC)
That's my take anyway, two different OS's for two different processor architectures. Beats porting?
Ballmer wishes Google would make up their mind so Microsoft can get busy copying them.
Who had internet search and mail first, MS or Google?
Take your time.
Ahh yes, cause they did such a great job with it. Everyone knows that releasing something first makes it the best ever.
Actually, neither was first, but MS is always looking to copy whoever is currently successful.