We just got off stage with Steve Ballmer, where we garnered a blistering 40 minutes of wild conversation with the man, touching on all things Microsoft. Of course, Windows 7 was at the forefront of talking points, be we also got Ballmer chatting up that
Courier vid, and the lack of Zune integration on Windows Mobile. For the former he swears he hasn't actually seen it, but that it sounds like it's something someone should make, while for Zune he says Windows Mobile is going to get integration in the next release -- which is a comforting thought, if perhaps a bit late. Of course there's plenty more to what he said, and we'll have an HD version of the whole show up tomorrow so you can sit back and take it all in if you
missed the live shindig.
Update: We've uploaded a gallery of photos courtesy of our good friend and podcast producer, Trent Wolbe. Check 'em out!
posted Oct 22nd 2009 6:51PM
Look forward to seeing the video!
It wasn't very good. Josh was sort of a passive agressive troll. Right after Ballmer walked off the stage it became all an Apple fest and they almost wanked over the new apple mouse >-/
@astrodemoniac: Actually, it seemed to me like they were pointing out its flaws more than anything else and similarly with the iMac. What they were(or at least Josh was) really gushing over was the nook.
5 of 14 will haunt me forever.
The day I waste even 10 seconds of my time watching that fat sweaty loser open his BS hole, is the day I'll shoot myself in the head. Everything about this man, body and mind, is gross. ech!
This being said, he is still the best thing that ever happened to AAPL, so: "May he remain Microsloth CEO for as long as it takes!"
Cheers!
Especially for us, its good engadget stream the whole feed. Anyway, looking back at the history - in the past it seems mr. ballmer has a pretty high sense of humor. You got to love his pictures this halloween.
Hilarity Link: http://pinoytutorial.com/bestandworst/steve-ballmer-wears-a-halloween-costume
"just for laughs"
How many times did he say "developers"?
Just 3. ;)
Not enough, he should repeat it more often just in case we misheard it the first 12-20 times.
@crashcarstar: I have to lol every time I see your avatar photo.
Zune intregration ! Great idea, but, then, DEMAND all manufacture to include the 3.5 mm jack on all WinMO 7 phones.
Um yeah, The Specs for Win7 already require that every device has a 3.5 mm jack.
**makes victory dance **
Zune integration would be nice. However, the software has been out for ONE MONTH. Give them some breathing room already.
What would have been a disaster is if Zune integration was required for 6.5. Can you imagine the horror of having to delay 6.5 or the Zune because the other side wasn't ready to deploy? Both are huge initiatives for Microsoft. Both were independent development platforms.
I'm much happier that 6.5 is out and that the Zune HD is out. I can wait 6 months for there to be tighter integration.
Dammit why no Zune integration for 6.5?!? Me want Zune app!!!
@ bjsguess
You earn my vote bro. Nice analysis.
SP
"Zune integration would be nice. However, the software has been out for ONE MONTH. Give them some breathing room already."
maybe i'm reading this comment wrong, but seriously the Zune software has been out since 2006. i have a Windows PC, Zune, and WinMo phone. there really isn't a reason i can think of that i shouldn't be able to sync my WinMo phone with my Zune playlists from the Zune software. sure i can do it in Windows Media player since it can read my Zune playlists but i feel like my phone should pop up just like my Zune in the Zune software (which is much smarter when handling my music collection).
i'm glad it's finally coming but in reality, it should have been here long ago.
SoCoolCurt -
When people talk about Zune integration the primary focus is on an improved media interface on the WinMo device - not the syncing software. I do agree that it would be nice if the music/video libraries would sync between WinMo and the desktop Zune software.
Not get too picky but the Zune desktop client has also been updated - as recently as last month. I believe the client has been updated annually to coincide with the last 3 Zune hardware releases.
Engadget has all of these awesome DSLRs at their fingertips to take photos and they use a camera phone pic to use as the main picture for an article? srsly?
Probably the only reason for this crappy iPhone quality photo was for their obligatory Apple tidbit in every post. Gotta make money somehow.
As for Steve Ballmer, after watching this show he did not seem as crazy as gadget blogs make him out to be.
I think the iPhone pic was good .. it's a neat gadget .. and we already know what joshua and steve look like so there is no point in fancy quality. I think the camera phone effect was good.
Coz in case you don't yet know it: the best camera is always the one you got at hand
That's the first thing I thought when I saw the article...seriously guys.
@plexus
"Coz in case you don't yet know it: the best ******* is always the one you got at hand"
My love-life in a proverb.
Looks like Engadget updated the picture.
@ROFL
They actually updated it twice.
Courier... "sounds like it's something someone should make"
Sure does, doesn't it Stevie... Someone like Microsoft maybe? *wink, wink*
i know, i loved that part, what a great line.
Yeah, I kinda took that as it is pretty much a go.
It will be interesting to see how people feel about the courier once its on market. It might be a game changer for MS to really start getting into the business of controlling the majority of variables between hardware config and OS like Apple does.
He probably hasn't seen the video because he has the prototype in his desk. If you watch the video he rubs his "eye" as he say Denies the Courier. I'm thinking that was a hint hint.
"DEMAND all manufacture to include the 3.5 mm jack on all WinMO 7 phones" Boy this is part of WinMo 7 prerequisites :-p
I want Zune for Windows Mobile 6.5 damnit !!!
Won't work too well, 5/6.1/6.5 Kernel won't handle it.
And how could he NOT have seen the Courier video?!
He's seen it. Dont read too much into that.
Maybe he's used the actual device, so has no reason to watch the video ;)
So the sprint guy gives out free touchstones which nobody can use but Ballmer can't afford to give out copies of win 7.
By "nobody" I assume you mean "everyone except people who have palm pres." Go back to the hole where you came from.
I have to admit, I was expecting a little windows 7 love :) What better way to win over Engadget readers Mr.Ballmer?
By nobody, I meant the 98% of the audience that day that did not have a palm pre. Not take any credit from Palm.
And in response to your second point, I would but your mom is still sore.
@Kaitou KID
Go back and read.... you flamed over a commet you obviously understood and got your panties in a twist because your a pre fanboy. Learn how to write a coherent sentence.
And by the way I don't have two accounts just changed the name.
Zune HD sales numbers please
stats or GTFO?
Apple TV sales numbers please
Im agreeing with Mark
SP
Mark ... Like what has the rarely updated "hobby" AppleTV got to do with a Zune HD.
Unless you are indicating that like the AppleTV the Zune is in it's market (pmp) a rice grain in a pasta salad. A duly noted and irrelevent bump
You should have shown him the video, so he couldn't claim to have not seen it. Just his reaction alone would have been worth it.
why didn't you bring up the windows store?
"Everyone who's been in this industry of as much as I have knows that what keeps Microsoft alive is not their innovation (or lack thereof); it's simply inertia."
Err... no.
In business sector it's because they're cheaper and give better support than anyone else. In the consumer sector it's because it runs all the good software.
@giuliop
I've "worked" with Microsoft products for 17 years and although Office 07 is a love it or hate it proposition, 2007 and now Windows 7 are easily the best versions of both in their history. My local school district obviously saw some value in 2007 and upgraded to it last year (about 1000 computers) and after you get used to the different format, options are usually two clicks away instead of being buried under menus and submenus and tabs and Advanced buttons.
Most of my business customers have upgrading as well, why stick around with old technology?
Ya, when was the last time they came out with a product that excited anyone? *rolls eyes*
And the sad thing is that he likely copied that diatribe from the 100000 other iTards that keep posting it like they are being original.
can anyone that was at the live taping tell me if I missed anything after bit shifter's last performance b/c i left while they were playing...
Yea you're right- Office 2007, Windows7, ZuneHD, Project Natal, Winmo7 are all abject failures. How does Microsoft even stay afloat?
It takes a real brain-washed fanboi to be excited at a product that barely fixes the obscenities of the worst operating system they've ever done.
Extra small edition please! Can't wait.
@cocoviper
Of the five things you mentioned, two aren't even out, the other two have just been launched and the fifth (Office 2007) is a laugh. Pretty thin to stay afloat on, I'd say.
Cocoviper: natal and winmo7 aren't out yet, and ZuneHD is good but a failure, and a ton of people hate office 07, I've never upgraded, oh and I like win7, as far as windows goes, but it may fail.
@giulop: sigh.
Vista was a fine operating system. It's main problems were PR and HDD grinding. Everything else was pretty much fantastic. They made some deep changes to the backend which required 3rd party manufacturers to create new drivers and get off their asses, and this caused alot of negative hype. The OS as it is today (which is pretty much as it was when it came out) is fine and great.
Office 2007 is fantastic. It is so immeasurably better than Office 2003 that I'm completely baffled by your statement. I can only assume you've never had to use it. Maybe if you go to college some day or grad school, or get a job, you'll find out just how awesome 2007 really is, and just how incredibly ubiquitous it is; it is EVERYWHERE. Saying Office "isn't much to stay afloat on" is just hardcore ignorance.
Windows 7 is getting worldwide acclaim. What more do you want? It's hardly "just been released", as many of us have been using it for months and months. Besides, projects that are just being launched have most likely had the most Ballmer influence, so if anything, those should be more indicative of his reign.
no windows schwag :[
*facepalm*
Really?
The live comment chat was freaking hilarious
I got banned though
What exactly has this got to do with engadget talking to ballmer about a video and a zune app?
if mac's werent as important and good as they are, you all mofos woudnt be shouting about how BAAAD macs are, how overpriiiiced macs are, how windows are beeetter. look - apple makes profits and people buy them more and more, so shut the fck up and go buy antivirus and video / audio / photo editing software with those 200 dollars that you "saved" buy buying pc over a mac. oh, and did i mention buying shitty looking plastic garbage with ridiculously worse display than apple has and absolutely pathetic battery life compared to apple macbooks? oh, or you have a clunky piece of garbage dell desktop with 6 wires and ugly looking plastic displays that support, oh my goood, 1080p resolution?! vow, that's really a better choice than ultra-modern, ultra-fast and ultra-big 27 inch led display and one-wired solution all-in-one imac that my friend has. look at the mirror and see a real troll and pc fanboy instead of bitching about that only stupid trolls and geeky losers have mac's.
I don't tell people this much, but dude shut the fuck up.
Holy f**k. I'm not even going to try to read that.
Stream of consciousness or what?
What are you on about?
Have a wank and let off some of that anger.
God.
@ Martin
lol...Did you just say "wow, 1080p on a pc display" as if it was bad on a pc. Im stopping there cause you're a idiot
SP
@Martin
I'll play your game. Here, why don't I go look in a mirror and see just how much of a troll I am... oh wait, that's my MacBook I'm looking at.
You know, I sometimes enjoy reading pitiful comments like yours simply because they tell me just how ignorant and foolish they are, and that posters like you probably could never hold your own in a real face-to-face debate. You really improve your credibility by posting those extremely biased remarks on this story, which as most readers can see, made no reference to Apple products at all. Both companies have some incredible technologies in the market, and it's simply wrong to say otherwise.
@bradsh
Double sigh. Maybe when you've worked with Microsoft products for 20 years as I did, you'll have the competence to understand that they've peaked many years ago and form then on it's been an unstoppable decline. Unfortunately I had (= was forced) to work with 2007, and have seen many people's faces puzzled by their inability to find and use even the most basic functions even if they had years of experience with previous releases.
And as much as you pose as a mature person, you have evidently never worked for any major medium to large company, or you'd know that almost not one of them has upgraded, as the costs to sustain to retrain hundreds (or thousands) of people are too high for such a disgrace of an upgrade.
And last, I did not say that "Office isn't much to stay afloat on", I said that "Office 2007 isn't much to stay afloat on". Everyone who's been in this industry of as much as I have knows that what keeps Microsoft alive is not their innovation (or lack thereof); it's simply inertia.
BLERDY BLERDY BLER
does this mean that the zune hd will have access to the windows mobile app store in the near future?
The meaning of things is like water flowing under the icy reflection of our self adoration. Only when you melt the ice and see through the illusion of slow moving clumpy hydrogen atoms can the true currents of life and change be seen; and yet it is not the seeing but the acceptance of true knowing and faith that finally leaves the hunger to know the future out in the bin with yesterday's banana skins.
I feel once you have meditated on this koan the answer to your quest for the arcane ways of product road maps will be revealed
@giuliop
No one cares how long you've worked with microsoft products, how many big corporations you've worked for, how much experience you have, or any of that other crap.
You opinion is wrong- IN SPITE OF your "experience". It's not like because you remember installing DOS from 5.25" floppies that everything you say is suddenly right.
Steve Ballmer is really cute excepts when he sweats and stuff...
I found myself in the pictures!
damn... who's that chick with the badunkadunk in photo 12? :-)
Does Zune integration mean games too? So like, Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition on an HTC HD2? Which would be the greatest effing thing ever?