Poor guy can't
catch a break. Talking to analysts today about the world of tablets, Steve Ballmer put on a brave face about his
lack of a strong competitor to the iPad, saying of Windows 7 products in the works with third parties: "They'll be shipping as soon as they are ready." Unfortunately, Apple's iPad looms large, with Ballmer stating that "they've sold certainly more than I'd like them to have sold." Perhaps more revelatory, Steve likened the tablet challenge to the situation Microsoft faced when the netbook started out as a Linux product, mentioning that part of their chore is "tuning Windows 7," in addition to working with hardware partners. Obviously Microsoft is down, not out, when it comes to tablets, but will a few million iPads be their eventual demise or the impetus they need to succeed? Tune in
next week someday for the
thrilling conclusion!
posted Jul 29th 2010 6:32PM
@Steve UMAD?
@Colrath
iPad Owners - Selfish Elites
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/07/ipad-owner-are-selfish-elites-critics-are-independent-geeks-says-study/
@Colrath You wouldn't being saying that Ballmer if you didn't kill the potentially awesome Courier!
-Sent from my iPad.
@nuck Two things.
1. I don't own an iPad.
2. "96 percent those most likely to criticize the iPad, on the other hand, don’t even own one," an excerpt from your article.
umad, bro?
@Colrath He isn't iPad, he is iMad!
@Colrath
Ballmer's point is well taken. People forget that early netbook adopters were flocking in droves to Linux builds. Cheaper, faster, everybody wanted one. MS looked to be toast in the netbook market space.
Then people got them home, played with them, and realized that the Linux builds weren't as familiar as Windows. Those netbooks went back and people instead got Windows based versions. Now, Linux is nowhere to be found in the retail netbook space.
Windows 7 will be huge on tablets. They just need a partner like HTC to create custom skins (think Sense) to sit on top of the standard W7 install. Finger friendly, easy access to common tasks, widgets, etc are all we need. Developers will come later to create custom tablet applications.
There is no reason why Windows 7 can't power the latest generation of tablets. It's just a matter of time.
@Colrath
That makes sense. Why would we willingly spend hundreds of dollars and then criticize it? We would just be told to take it back!
Secondly, the article makes a huge assumption that most of us would be just "one trip away from an Apple store to buying it". That most certainly isn't true. I criticize it for being a giant iPod touch with optional 3G, because I own an iPod Touch and don't see the point in the iPad.
Regarding Ballmer: Dude, suck it up. It's your own damn fault for not releasing Courier. People are ready for a true tablet. Release one and quit complaining about it!
@Colrath
Well, Balmer... That's what happens when you're stuck with x86. Where's that ARM version of win7?
@Colrath
Of course a lot of people who criticize ipad don't own one...
How often do you buy something you don't like?
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways
You really can't lay all the sales to fanbois only . That's just silly. MS needs to get a solid product that's exciting like courier and push it to market with solid marketing. They are not playing this game as well as they should be able to.
@Pizza
With you on that one. I was eagerly waiting on the Courier, but Microsoft didn't deliver. I talked a lot of smack about ther iPad as well, hoping that Microsoft would have shown them how to do it. However, here I sit, typing away on my iPad... Thinking of what it would be like if Microsoft didn't cancel the project, and now debating ordering a pizza (time for a messy iPad screen).
@bjsguess
Very good point and a solid analysis. +1 from me good sir. However, I don't know about you, but I, for one, thought that the Courier was ready for prime time. I would have bought one in a heartbeat (given that the reviews were positive).
Again, I reiterate: Bring your A-Game to market Ballmer! No use in complaining. The iPad sold, now get on the bandwagon.
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways You're delusional if you think that all of those iPad sales are to tech geek fanboys.
You should get out more - go check out the normal people at an Apple store buying up all their iPad stocks.
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways
Shut your fucking clap trap!
The reason people like you say that is because we Apple fanboys don't buy what YOU think is a bargain. Wake up loser. We walk to a different beat. You want a freaking windows tablet? Buy a Toshiba convertible.
@pspitts
"Wake up loser. We walk to a different beat."
Yeah. You and several million other people. People like you make Apple's marketing department salivate. "Hey everyone! Convince him that he's different for buying our product, it's a sure sell!"
Rofl.
Whatever your opinion on the iPad may be, don't use that one.
@bjsguess
I agree with you
The general, non-tech public is very comfortable with Apple and Microsoft products. All Microsoft has to do is implement the Office Suite in a way that is easy to use in a tablet form. Everyone uses Office, and it would have a great place in the business world and with regular consumers.
Implement Office well, and you'll have your successful product.
@bjsguess totally agree!
@bjsguess And then people realized they weren't satisfied with the performance of their netbooks. Now put it on a tablet.. not going to go well. It's not really a comparable situation. Netbooks is just a small notebook to people..so they're going to want the same experience. They're also somewhat used to lag and choppiness, but that won't go well for a touch screen device really. It's need to be silky smooth (which is where Apple shines really).
I don't think desktop OSs will do well on tablets. Instead the likes of iOS, webOS, Android (if google wants to), and similar will work much better where both the OS and most importantly all the programs is built for touch and limited hardware.
@Dusse
"And then people realized they weren't satisfied with the performance of their netbooks."
I'm perfectly happy with the performance of my netbook. I've had it for a year and a half and it's still plugging along with Windows XP. It's my primary internet/email/document editing computer. I even programmed on it for a while. It's MORE than enough power for the average internet user.
"Now put it on a tablet.. not going to go well. It's not really a comparable situation. Netbooks is just a small notebook to people..so they're going to want the same experience. They're also somewhat used to lag and choppiness, but that won't go well for a touch screen device really. It's need to be silky smooth (which is where Apple shines really)."
Windows 7's scroll feature is smooth on many current touchscreen computers. The stuff we've already seen has been smooth.
"I don't think desktop OSs will do well on tablets. Instead the likes of iOS, webOS, Android (if google wants to), and similar will work much better where both the OS and most importantly all the programs is built for touch and limited hardware."
I've dreamed of having a cheap, lightweight, convertible Windows 7 tablet for a long time. I would snap one up if it were available. But, alas, it isn't. I like not having to be limited by the OS a computer runs. I like having a computer-like windowed experience on a tablet. It's simply the most efficient way to get things done. Otherwise, it's just an app launcher with backgrounding features.
@PeaceWithin
"All Microsoft has to do is implement the Office Suite in a way that is easy to use in a tablet form"
You mean copy iWork for iPad... ? LOL...
Luddites..
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways stfu. you clearly have no fucking idea. you have googles dick crammed so far down your throat its cutting off air to the part of your brain that controls reason. a lot of people like apple, deal with it. they are a force to be reckoned with and a brand to beat. everyone knows that. if you don't like it fine. don't buy it. nobody gives a fuck what you think so stop giving a fuck what other people think.
@bjsguess
End users had nothing to do with XP showing up on netbooks. Ballmer and his crew saw Linux taking off on netbooks and made the OEMs an offer they couldn't refuse -- they could have WinXP licenses for under $10. It kicked MSFT's earnings in the ass (that price is less than 1/5 the regular license fee), but it did stop Linux in its tracks.
@weios
I'm sure a sex toy would be fun to have and I would like it if it owned it as well, but I'd still be embarrassed to own one and am pretty sure I can get by life just fine without one.
@bjsguess
What's Ballmer bitching about the iPad selling more than HE likes? These Microsoft people are seriously greedy bastards. How does the iPad even touch Microsoft or Windows? They don't compete. MS Windows has 95% of the desktop market and they're worried about Apple getting a few lousy market share points with the iPad, which Ballmer already said would be a huge failure. He originally said that the iPad won't affect Windows desktop or notebook sales, so why is he acting so concerned now. Microsofties are nothing but evil monopolists.
Ballmer was laughing about the iPad being no threat and that netbooks were far superior. Why's he changing his tune all of a sudden? His strategy doesn't seem based on having satisfied users. It's more like they just can't stomach a small company even making a bit of money. Microsoft should not concern themselves about some product that they declared a sure failure because that only proves their ignorance.
MS is a truly greedy company. They continually churn out millions of copies of Windows and MS Office for pennies, charge huge amounts for it and yet Ballmer's upset about a few iPads being sold. One day their evil greed is going to get the better of them.
@Dusse
Exactly, that is why I think MS will fail if they continue to think they can repeat their success on netbook. Another thing, try to imagine that your desktop pc or laptop has a touch screen and no keyboard mouse. Try to do what you normally do with your figures. Not very fun heh? Apple has the right idea and they prove it with their sale number. It will be the battle ground of IOS, android and maybe windows phone 7, not desktop OS. And for those of you think people buying ipad are stupid and blind, then I am sorry to tell you that most wall street analyst believe they will sell more, alot more.
A slate needs 3 things to win:
1. ARM architecture
2. An OS designed from the beginning for multitouch
3. Lots of apps designed from the beginning for multitouch.
Microsoft has none of the above.
@Mike10010100 Im so effen sick and tired of people keep saying, its just a giant iPod Touch (99% of them don't own an iPad), Just answer my one question you all morons,
Did you ever have a smaller TV and you wanted bigger, WHY THE F YOU WANTED A BIGGER TV, IT WAS JUST A BIGGER TV SO YOU SHOULD'VE EFFEN STICK TO YOUR SMALLER TV? Now iHater will make my comment disappear without a good answer. That's how you spot an iHater.
@Mike10010100 do you actually think for one fucking second that most apple users actually think that? do you honestly think a majority of apple users buy into the advertising. truth be told - my whole industry is predominantly on mac. we don't give a fuck what steve jobs thinks. we don't feel special or different. we don't buy into the marketing bullshit because we make the marketing bullshit for them. we just like using the fucking products. why is that so hard to understand. i prefer osX to windows. my render pipeline is mac. my photos are organized in iphoto and my music in itunes. it ties seamlessly to my phone, stereo, tvs and car. you know why i like it? cuz it just fucking works and i don't have to dick with it for 3 hrs to get a fucking driver to work. yeah - i have a windows machine too. its my 3rd one. every single one of them has been a piece of shit. i don't feel the need to root my phone to get 60 fps video on my cellphone video camera by bypassing the manufactures set restrictions due to hdmi spec or whatever other pointless shit people feel they need to do. you know why? my phone is not a hobby, its a tool to help me thru hectic days and short schedules. my computer is not a hobby, it doesn't play games, it helps me do my job.
@Colrath
Advice to Ballmer: Don't hate the player, hate the game.
@MosesusedaniPad Maybe MS vs Apple in the past but in your entire post you could replace MS and Microsoft with Apple and the exact same would be true(except Apple doesn't really compare in the desktop marketplace).
@bjsguess skin Windows 7 all you want it wont have thousands of apps designed for the tablets platform right from the start. The apps that will be available will be annoying to use on a tablet as they are designed with a mouse/keyboard interaction. Microsofts best bet is to beef up Windows Mobile 7 with tablet support.
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways youre the fucking idiot considering you didn't even answer the question right. douche.
@bjsguess Yeah really its just a matter of time before intel come up with a powerful mooretown. its not only Microsoft Vs. Apple but also Intel Vs. ARM fight, don't ever put intel out of a computer war, microsoft canceled courier cause it was so freaking expensive, 2 Oled screens? and also nothing can fight with windows, be sure that windows will wipe out iOS the second that it come to tablets, For the human race sake don't let apple Dumbening happen to tablets, they aren't another shiny toy, we want to be able to do whatever fuck we want to do with a 10 screen device, its not like the iphone or wp7. ITS REALLY A PC
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways They just haven't seen intel making a fucking good low power consumption x86 till now, now moorestown is coming baby and windows 7 is going to rock on it
@Raytem
because steve jobs hails it as "magical and revolutionary" when it is just a giant ipod touch
@bjsguess
The flaw with your argument is that, when people get home with their ioads, they aren't disappointed.
@bjsguess
Windows 7 or Windows Phone 7? They've been working on tablets for nearly a decade. Full Windows on a tablet is not the solution. Something like WP7 is.
@WhatDoIKnow
i agree and would add the landscape in the tablet market is much different then the netbook market. first linux and microsoft were competing for the same oem's who put out the hardware, competition linux found hard after microsoft saw the market take off, being as its got most oem's by the balls due to such a large os market share. plus i read that microsoft was either giving away xp on netbooks or offering it at a loss.
competition between android and windows tablets will be far more like the netbook saga, but google has its advantages, cloud based services and faster reaction to market changes, it moves much faster than ms and will be a much more wiley linux based rival.
second the ios ecosystem is way ahead of microsoft's at the moment and its not going to improve if microsoft gets blinded by apple and just clones the ios ecosystem. apples advantage over microsoft, is that it's focused on its own path, where as microsoft gets distracted to easily by its competition.
i just wish the same team that worked on windows phone 7 worked on windows 7, as i was very disappointed with it, as it came across like it was trying to hard to be os x, where as windows phone 7 looks more modern and original.
imo certain people at microsoft need to get their heads in gear and not just monkey boy, as its like, its got two sides, a regressive old side that lives in windows and office land, where it safe and they dominate and a more progressive side that isn't scared to try new ideas and not have to own every market. will the one side stop trying to push the horse that died ages ago and embrace the horseless carriage that is windows phone 7 for tablets that's the question.
@Colrath
If Ballmer and Co. hate Apple so much, why don't they just stick it to Apple and pull Office: Mac Edition.
But what happened to this "Co-opatition" that Microsoft used to always pursue? There's room for Apple to sell x number of devices just as there is room for Microsoft to make x number of apps for the iPad.
Come on Microsoft and Co., do you not know an opportunity when it slaps you on the butt cheeks?
@Pizza
Apple has room to sell as many iPads as they like, and if Ballmer and Co. would wake up when their butt cheeks are getting slapped, they'd realize they could sell as many apps as Apple can sell devices.
It's a huge opportunity, Microsoft, you've got a huge market of captive "elitists" with money to burn waiting to buy your apps.
@arash
Moorsetown doesn't have a pci bus and therefore wont run windows 7 according to anadtech.
@aec0 Androids UI is ugly Anyways
Sleep power consumption on ARM compared to intel atom is about an order of magnitude better. You have no idea what you're talking about.
@Raytem
BAHAHAHAHA! You're kidding me, right? Really? Seriously?
Here's your argument: IT'S NOT JUST A GIANT IPOD TOUCH! OK, MAYBE IT IS, BUT THAT'S WHY IT'S GOOD!
In other words, you agree that it's a giant iPod Touch, and that it may be ok for some people who just want a giant iPod Touch (with 3G optional). I personally HAVE an iPod Touch, so I don't see the point in getting a GIANT one. Get it?
Oh, and quite the contrary. I'm not an iHater. I simply hate the fanboys. Oh, and for god sakes, calm down.
@system22
Wow. That entire rant full of expletives while completely misinterpreting my original comment. The guy I WAS REPLYING TO said that Apple users "walk to a different beat." To that, I responded that folks like him make Apple's marketing team salivate.
Seriously, get a hold of yourself. And to all those who upranked you, go back, read the series of comments, and realize that I'm being perfectly rational and logical.
@Ed T I'm pretty sure it didn't hurt their earnings at all. And for that matter most OEM copies of Windows go to the big computer manufacturers for a LOT cheaper than retail anyway so $10 for an outdated OS with restrictions on what hardware qualifies for that prices isn't as humongous a drop in price as you may think.
@LeJay everyone will need to realise that the nicely design ones are devoid of the original Android UI
@bjsguess "They just need a partner like HTC to create custom skins (think Sense) to sit on top of the standard W7 install. "
Why? They have such potentially good finger friendly UI on windows Phone 7. It would be so much better to adapt Windows Phone 7 to tablets...
@system22
To put it simply...you win.
@John52
Yeah, he wins for misinterpreting what I've said and then going on a complete expletive rampage. He gets the "special" award for the night.
@bjsguess And that story was spread by a Microsoft-blog and is in no way the true picture! And why power a sleek pad with w7? It's as much overkill it can be, the battery life of the device will be joke!
Microsoft is masters of bloatware and has no business in either net-books or pads...
@weios
A drop of wisdom...
@system22 Is running a rendering/post pipeline on windows or linux too much trouble for you? Maybe your just stupid. Deal with it by buying over simplified crap or whatever just don't assume you got the best solution going. It's just the best for you. All that crap you spew about gadgets not being hobbies...well Sherlock...obvious is obvious and you really are talking about things you don't understand, that hdmi pearl you threw in there really underlines how clueless you are. Don't get your panties all mangled about it, and please...don't try to forge it so it looks like you represent any type of industry. You are just a glorified douche that doesn't understand things past a certain point of complexity. Don't extrapolate from that. If it takes you 3 hours to change a driver, well, the problem is you.