Robbie Bach sits down for a roundtable discussion, Engadget is there
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Oct 6th 2009 12:33PM
posted Oct 6th 2009 12:33PM
- We asked about convergence (or lack thereof) across Microsoft products. Zune, Xbox, and Microsoft phone products don't really play nice at this point. Robbie was hesitant to tackle the actual question, sticking mostly to the party line, though he did admit that their plans stretch further down the road than this -- a theme thus far. It sounds a lot like Microsoft isn't where it wants to be. In a later question, he asks us to "look where [Microsoft] is in two or three years." That's a long time to wait guys.
- An HTC HD2 is doing the rounds at the show (though it's in someone's pocket) -- when we asked why the company hasn't highlighted the device (which is pretty darn slick, by the way), Robbie seemed to glaze over the presence of the device. The line was "we want to work with all our partners." Why they wouldn't call out what is a groundbreaking device for Windows Mobile is somewhat perplexing.
- Michael Gartenberg, one of our contributors, asks about if the company is "still committed to pen computing" -- Robbie says yes, and that there's a lot of "research" going on right now. "The pen has been around for a long time," he says. "There's work that has to be done."
- Robbie says, "Microsoft is as proactive as it is reactive." On the Zune HD "Where we broke through is in software."
- Gartenberg asks about "devices that fall between a PC and a phone." Robbie chuckles pretty hard at that one. "Here's my favorite survey of the year... which will you buy, a Microsoft tablet or Apple tablet?" "Do I believe there are other devices out there that people want to use, like a Kindle-like device... yes."
- Peter Rojas asks about the company's acquisition of Danger. Robbie: "There were clear reasons for us to acquire Danger -- I think in time that will pan out. It wasn't another OS, it was services... the Sidekick isn't our brand, it's T-Mobile's brand."
- We ask Robbie about Pink and if a Microsoft phone is in the company's future: "I don't see that." Robbie was pretty vehement that making a piece of hardware for the mobile space isn't really in the company's plans. "Apple demonstrated that the end to end experience worked, so we did that with the Zune." He says he doesn't think it makes sense for the scale of the mobile market. On the experience with current Windows Mobile devices: "We're part of the way there with Windows Mobile 6.5."
- Andrew Yoon from Joystiq asks: "When can we stop calling it Natal?" Robbie laughs: "When we tell you to call it something else. I'll tell you this -- when we announce what we're calling it, you guys will report it, and people will get it."
- A question about Google's business model being similar to Microsoft's -- Robbie laughs and makes a face: "I'm confused about you calling it a 'business model'... I'm not sure what they're doing exactly." Ouch. "If you use a Google phone, that's fine, but what do you do about your music experience? What do you do about your photo experience? Then it starts to feel like another version of Linux."
2 or 3 years for interoperability? That IS too long.
Indeed it is - they have been talking about 3 screens for quite a while now. I can't understand how Microsoft let themselves fall behind, boggles the mind. Especially seeing as how their initial goal was to get Windows in every home.
Has anyone integrated the way you expect Microsoft to? Wouldn't cross platform compatibility be really groundbreaking and a game changer?
My guess is that getting everything to play nice is a huge technical undertaking. Sure it would be great if everything was connected. However, those that have done system integrations know that this is extremely challenging work that yes, often takes years to complete.
This isn't to excuse Microsoft for neglecting the Mobile space for so long. They clearly dropped the ball. However, I am empathetic to their situation and appreciate that what everyone is asking for is not being done by their competition and is very, very unique.
Here's a good video showing the progression of the Windows Phone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj9LYWCl6Sw
2 or 3 years = 5 or 7 years Microsoft time
"Here's my favorite survey of the year... which will you buy, a Microsoft tablet or Apple tablet?"
Which one will be under $400 and do what I want?
I'll go for the one that works best. In other words the Apple tablet.
This guy looks like Edward Norton!
"we want to work with all our partners." - does that mean Microsoft and HTC have fallen out and that's why they're not promoting the HD2?
If by "fallen out" you mean HTC is shipping phones with Android pre-installed then yes, they had a falling out.
engadjet didnt ask if the "pinks" are in danger.
Who really is the enigma that is Robbie Bach?
Gartenberg asks about "devices that fall between a PC and a phone." Robbie chuckles pretty hard at that one. "Here's my favorite survey of the year... which will you buy, a Microsoft tablet or Apple tablet?" "Do I believe there are other devices out there that people want to use, like a Kindle-like device... yes."
What was the question? The answer just seems like a bunch of random statements that I can't infer the question from, and you guys apparently don't care to post them. What's the point of posting these random soundbytes instead of the actual interview?
"Random statements" pretty much sums up Microsoft's strategy right now. Some good products, some not so but no coherence whatsoever. Seems they are trying to cherry-pick business plans and products that are ignorant and incompatible with each other. So we have dictatorial Jobs "one vision, mine" and "all-over-the-map" Microsoft. Right now, Google fits nicely in between and plays well with everyone (except MS and Apple).
“Robbie says, "Microsoft is as proactive as it is reactive." On the Zune HD "Where we broke through is in software."
---- Yeah, like the AWESOME ability to convert Windows Media Center HDTV recordings to the Zune HD. [ha, ha]
I can't tell what you are implying by this remark, can you please clarify.
Sure -- [Decode implication] Zune HD cannot convert Media Center HDTV recordings, which is “NOT awesome” nor classified as a “breakthrough in the software”; it is just lame.
Isn't that a limitation imposed by content providers?
This is actually a question.
WixosTrix – Nope, it’s not a limitation imposed by the content providers… I can convert my OTA and Clear QAM Media Center HDTV recordings with various 3rd party appz (which do not circumvent copy protection) and manually add the video to my Zune or an iPod. Not awesome, not a breakthrough, and speaks volumes to the lack of interoperability.
"...ask him some questions about where the big M is headed"
Everyone knows where they're headed. To the toilet.
oxymoron alert!
it's because HTC are using their own UI and also making Android phones... Microsoft feel put out :P
Best self-contradiction ever:
"We ask Robbie about Pink and if a Microsoft phone is in the company's future: "I don't see that." Robbie was pretty vehement that making a piece of hardware for mobile space isn't really in the company's plans. "Apple demonstrated that the end to end experience worked, so we did that with the Zune." He says he doesn't think it makes sense for the scale of the mobile market."
So, you believe Apple when it comes to the success of end-to-end services, but you somehow manage to disbelieve the stunning success of the iPhone with your next breath? Look, it's obvious that a Zune phone is something the market wants. It's something that could provide Microsoft with a huge opportunity to integrate its online offerings into a mobile device. The very idea that the "scale" of the market is what prevents this is completely incoherent reasoning - the mobile market is huge, and that makes it way easier to get your foot in the door.
Please tell me there was some sort of epic misquote here. *sigh*
A Zune phone would probably be seen as a threat by Microsoft's Windows Mobile hardware partners and might push them even further into the arms of Android.
Steve Ballmer had an interview last week with Techcrunch and mentioned this point:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/09/24/microsoft-ballmer-interview-exclusive-techcrunch-bing-mobile-azur/
The idea is that in smaller markets based on sales (like video game consoles, MP3 players) can have a product be controlled from end to end by a single player for the best success. But in larger markets (like PCs and phones) you can be a player like Apple, but your only going to have a niche market; so Microsoft provides Windows and gets a large market share to let the OEMs worry about the rest. To quote Ballmer: "But when you get these categories that are 300 million, 500 million, a billion, a billion-five a year, the truth of the matter is you’re gonna want multiple points of manufacture, with a lot of innovation around it whether its supply chain, for geographic diversity, and our basic play with our software is to try and be super high volume"
When it's clear that the erosion of marketshare of WinMo devices is irreversible, they'll release their own hardware. Maybe that's where the "1-2 year" timeframe comes in?
the zune phone is coming zune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRLRjKCGHek
MS is in a bind, their partners get upset when they build something hardware related. Hence, we all tend to agree that MS prototypes are decent and nice looking, but never see the light because of tantrums from the likes of MS Partners like Dell, HP, HTC, Motorola.... it's too bad really.
But MS created this horizontal ecosystem way back when and now they want it vertical like Apple.
What about the Currier??
Would be good to ask why 2-3 years for integration. Is this a technical challenge or internal politics. Is it difficult for products to integrate across different divisions?
"Then it starts to feel like another version of Linux."
1) Isn't it?
2) Is that a problem?
Exactly... I don't see where that is a problem. Is he inferring that one cannot have a pleasant photo or audio experience on an Android device?? lqtm
"On the Zune HD 'Where we broke through is in software.'"
Right, broke through - hopefully they broke through the head of the lead that approved the cut-off "e" at the end of "Marketplace" on the home screen.
Oh no, now they have cut-off the bottom of your face!
Ahahaha nice gregor :D
I'd rather have a cut off "e" than the laggy interface of the competitor
I can't help but think of the classic saying, "Tis better to let people think you're stupid then to open your mouth and prove it." or something to that effect.
They really don't get it. Wow.
My question would be
how much longer r u gonna allow iPhone to own n dominate n school u?
2)who manufacturers better laptops apple or ms?
3)do you feel zune will make a dent in iPod sales?
1. Microsoft doesn't make laptops
2. Now, no. Someday, probably not. However, they are pushing Zune as software and service which will overtake iTunes one day.
"If you use a Google phone, that's fine, but what do you do about your music experience? What do you do about your photo experience? Then it starts to feel like another version of Linux."
Microsoft doesn't combine any of its 'experiences' well? If you want a premium music experience you go to Zune, a game unit you go to Xbox. The only good experience you get from winmo is exchange support which is fairly universal. Perhaps MS should pump out a respectable WM7 before they crown themselves champs of the mobile experience.
" If you want a premium music experience you go to Zune"
lol are you kidding me? I think you meant to say the premium music experience is in iPod/iTunes. I love the unparalleled user experience and service they deliver. The Zune is doing so bad sales pretty much collapsed and MS had to retire all the previous players out of the market.
@ I_Love_Microsoft
As an owner of an iPhone 3G and a Zune 30 I have to disagree. The Zune software nails it in the user interface, presentation, ease of use department. Never cared for the bloated mess that is iTunes and I wouldn't even use it if it weren't for my iPhone. I think people should try the Zune software out. I suspect some say it's bad and have never used it.
What a douche bag this Robbie Bach guy
Is it just me, or is that white marshmallow 'couch' thing one big fugly mistake?