The evidence that Windows Mobile 6.5 could soon be moving beyond the stylus to gather
finger-friendly, multi-touch, capacitive screens into its long, loving arms has been mounting with the leak of the
HTC Leo ROM and
TouchFlo 3D 2.6. Such a move would quickly put Microsoft back on track to compete with the iPhone and Android devices like the HTC Hero. Now
DigiTimes, based on sourced information from Taiwanese handset makers, is reporting a "touch interface" version of Windows Mobile 6.5 set for release in February 2010 -- an upgrade to the initial Windows Mobile 6.5 launch expected on October 1st. However, instead of phasing out Windows Mobile 6.5 with the Q4 2010 launch of Windows Mobile 7,
DigiTimes asserts that Microsoft will lower the price of WinMo 6.5 to compete against open-source Android devices while positioning WinMo 7 to go head-to-head with the iPhone. In other words, Microsoft appears to be adopting a
dual-platform mobile strategy like we've heard before, regardless of
Steve Ballmer's recent grandstanding against Google's dual-platform approach.
posted August 19th 2009 2:06AM
It was a direct quote from Steve Ballmer. Is there something you didn't understand about that? Do these racists' ludicrous tactics you're referring to usually involve direct quotes like that? Speaking of which, I was wondering exactly which racists you were referring to. Could you clarify that for us please?
And yes, I know. Quoting somebody directly is ludicrous. It's much better to just make shit up, like for example saying how quoting people is a tactic used by racists. That makes much more sense. As far as whether they're in competition with each other: Right. Let me guess: They're in competition with each other when Apple has 10% of the desktop market share and MS has 90%, even though they're not directly comparable because as you said in your own words, "MS : Software Provider, Apple: OEM", but they're NOT in competition with each other when Apple has the majority market share.
Sure, I see how that works. Makes perfect sense if you're a Microsoft apologist. And finally, I'd like to call your attention to this fairly damning quote of yours: "If they suck so much, why worry? If they are so insubstantial, why do you care? Propagandist much?"
I might ask you the same question. Why do you consistently involve yourself by bringing anti-Apple comments into all kinds of threads on Engadget? If Apple is so insignificant compared to Microsoft (i.e. your quote here: "MS is more financially successful and influential than Apple in almost every sector of business their involved in."), why do you care? Why are you responding negatively to anything that paints Apple in a positive light?
Propagandist much? And by the way, it's spelled "they're". You're welcome.
Since you need somewhat of an explanation to what seemed an straightforward response, lets try this again.
"It was a direct quote from Steve Ballmer. Is there something you didn't understand about that?"
The problem wasnt with the quote, it was how you decided to use a two year quote to somehow imply that a trend would continue in t he future, despite Microsoft stepping WinMo 7 to the plate. What does a off collar comment to MSNBC anchor 2 years ago have to do with an update on WinMo 6.5. How is Ballmer involved in any of the development of this update? Did you see Ballmer's name mentioned anywhere in the article? Yes, that was a stupid thing of Ballmer to say. We get it. But then, you somehow parlay that into some litany on how they dont just get people, I mean consumers. What people do you mean.
" I was wondering exactly which racists you were referring to. Could you clarify that for us please?"
I was referring to any racist who goes on ranting and raving about how the hated party involved is destined to fail because of (insert reason here), all the while concerning themselves with the obsession with that party by spreading as much negativity as possible. Think I'm wrong? Why didnt you decide to quote Ballmer on how he was wrong about the iPhone. ( http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/01/ballmer-maybe-the-iphone-aint-so-bad-after-all.ars) That's way more current and reflects the direction of the company, the point you were trying to make. Instead you went with an old and incomplete quote to further your agenda against anything that Apple and Microsoft "compete" in.
"Right. Let me guess: They're in competition with each other when Apple has 10% of the desktop market share and MS has 90%, even though they're not directly comparable because as you said in your own words, "MS : Software Provider, Apple: OEM", but they're NOT in competition with each other when Apple has the majority market share."
Whoa, what majority market share are you talking about Willis. Allow me to disable your RDF for you:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10195697-94.html & http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10245339-37.html
What that i see Zak? Apple, while having the greatest gain in their market segment, is not the market leader by a long shot. Yes, WinMo still has alot of work and ground to cover, but in no way is Apple the majority market share. Thats held by RIM and Nokia.
"Sure, I see how that works. Makes perfect sense if you're a Microsoft apologist."
Though I'm sure that still means Apple's the majority market share when you're a Apple apologist.
And finally, I'd like to call your attention to this fairly damning quote of yours: "If they suck so much, why worry? If they are so insubstantial, why do you care? Propagandist much? Why are you responding negatively to anything that paints Apple in a positive light?"
Damning? You can't be serious?
So, I'm in this blog, Engadget, reading about WinMo 7, minding my own business when, BAM, here goes Zak again with his "Oh, it says MS, better bash it, and be an Apple evangelist" shtick and he tries to call me out on fanboyism.
Can you believe that. Zak, let me give you a mental picture. Pot. Kettle. Black.
@truthbringer - tactics? check you own. zak did not say or imply Ballmer is "inferior," you're making that up. basically he said Ballmer doesn't get what is really going on. which many agree with. there is a big difference.
you are correct that in the smartphone market Apple and MS are not literally competing directly since MS does not sell its own hardware. WinMo is literally competing against Android and Sybmian, which are likewise hardware-independent. but Ballmer and most everyone do perceive a competition between MS and Apple for smartphone OS market share, also including RIM and Palm. so that is how nearly all discussions are "framed."
and not having to "play catch up" - are you kidding? not having to catch up WinMo with the touchscreen UI and all the other iPhone innovations? are you on the same planet with the rest of us?
"How is Ballmer involved in any of the development of this update?"
You means besides being CEO of Microsoft? Are you kidding me? Do I really need to give that a serious answer, or do you think you can figure it out on your own?
"I was referring to any racist who goes on ranting and raving about how the hated party involved is destined to fail because " blah blah blah, straw man argument. Next!
"Whoa, what majority market share are you talking about Willis."
Wow you found statistics from months and months ago that are apples-to-oranges comparisons and not up to date. Color me impressed. How about a comparison that's actually relevant?
http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/05/27/the-iphone-casts-a-giant-shadow-on-the-web/
Furthermore, you're comparing a company's entire lineup of phones in total (Nokia) to a SINGLE phone from Apple. Does Nokia make a single phone that has sold as many or as quickly as the iPhone? The answer is no. And neither does anybody else. So when you say "not the market leader", you mean as long as you're not talking about a single phone. Your position is that the iPhone hasn't sold as well as "all these phones combined." That's funny, so I'm going to laugh at you now.
"Though I'm sure that still means Apple's the majority market share when you're a Apple apologist."
I'm sorry, who's apologizing for Apple? They're not the ones lagging behind and making very public and very inaccurate predictions of their competition.
"So, I'm in this blog, Engadget, reading about WinMo 7, minding my own business when, BAM, here goes Zak again with his "Oh, it says MS, better bash it, and be an Apple evangelist" shtick and he tries to call me out on fanboyism. "
Wow, revisionist history at its worst. Luckily for me you can just go back and read what actually happened. First of all you were minding your own business until you decided to respond to my comment at which point you were not minding your own business any more, were you? Second, nobody called you out on anything until AFTER you responded to me. Third, all I did was quote something that Steve Ballmer said. If that's what you call "bashing MS", then they're in more trouble than I thought. I mean if their own CEO is bashing them, that's pretty bad.
And finally, if you have such a problem with it, you have a number of choices available to you. You can simply ignore what I say, you can simply not read the comments section, you can choose NOT to respond (it's true, you can), you can even not read the articles, or not even go to Engadget at all. It's a veritable cornucopia of choice. So don't even try to blame me for this conversation, since you are the one who started arguing with me, not the other way around.
So wait you can cut out the parts of my arguments, and this is supposed to be an debate.
Ok You're right, I'm wrong silly me. You we're just using the " months and months ago quote " and here I came along with Ballmers updated recanting link you didnt use (nor did the author of engadget....), show you proof that Apple was not market leader and was competitor in the last 6 quarters, as you claimed, and you're mad because i said you used a tactic a fearmonger/racist uses when they dont like something/one the use old antiquated versions to cast a bad shadow over the future of its outcome. 2 years ago, we didnt have the Zune HD and Ballmer was a annoying egotistical pig. I ackownlage all that. But please use updated information before you start throwing stones around telling me to do so.
And finally, I'll chose Door #6,
I'll do whatever I want to do. I called you out on it, and you responded in kind. I have no problem with you man.
As a WinMo user, I would gladly throw my phone out the Windows (and consequentially break them) if someone offered me any other new phone on the market with reasonably good features.
WinMo is... awful. I'd take the iPhone's push notifications + one app at a time rule over a dead battery for forgetting to close everything in the task manager any day.