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RobbieBach posts

High schoolers grill Microsoft's Robbie Bach on Zune, Windows

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 14th 2009 at 1:53PM

As we've learned over the past 72 hours, Microsoft is clearly changing its approach to the Zune. And connected TV. And just about every other entertainment-related aspect of its business. As it seeks to better connect people via its software and devices (and make "The Social" something worth showing up to), Robbie Bach has explained that the company's new retail focus actually has a lot to do with it. The bigwig recently sat down in front of 150 students in order to take questions and relive some childhood memories, and given that kids always say the darnedest things, it's not shocking to hear that some of the conversation was awkward, if not comical. Point blank, Bach was asked if Windows 7 would be better than Vista, and he expectedly shot back with "Windows 7 is a huge step forward." There's far too much dialogue to cover in this space, but if you're looking for a little insight from the top, feel free to wade through the read links below.

[Via CNET]

Read - High school questions
Read - Retail thoughts
Read - More retail thoughts

Microsoft waves dismissive, bloated hand at iPhone sales figures

by Paul Miller, posted Oct 24th 2008 at 9:08AM

Microsoft's Robbie Bach feigned an uninterested yawn at Apple's 6.9 million iPhones figure in an interview with BusinessWeek the other day. He wasn't particularly insulting of the product, but didn't think the number means too much in the long run. "Apple had a big launch of a new product, and they launched at scale in a lot of new countries with a lot of new [wireless] operators. This quarter, RIM is having its big launch, and at some point we'll have our big launch. We'll have to see where things normalize." While that statement is encouraging for the fact that it semi-implies that Windows Mobile 7 is supposed to be released at "some point," we're not sure we're picking up what Robbie is putting down -- 6.9 million of a single device seems to imply a bit more than "launch buzz." Things devolved quickly when Bach started spouting about how carriers want a balanced ecosystem. That may be true, but consumers are the ones that buy the phones, and if their RAZR buying habits are any indication, "ecosystem" isn't their top priority.

[Via Electronista]

Robbie Bach says no Zune Phone, no Xbox Blu-ray... maybe a touchscreen Zune

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jun 8th 2008 at 6:34PM

Someone clearly didn't want Microsoft fans being left out at this time of extreme Apple coverage. In an interview with SFGate, Robbie Bach manages to deftly deny the rumored Xbox / Blu-ray match-up, deny a Zune Phone is coming anytime soon (although he intimates Zune software may come to phones), but still cleverly suggests that a Zune Touch could be in the offing. Of course, by "cleverly suggest" we mean he mentions the possibility of a device with touch capabilities, which is like saying Dell might release a laptop with a keyboard. Is that the device pictured above? No silly, that's just someone's Photoshop work. Steve Jobs -- anything to say about this?

[Via wmpoweruser; Image courtesy anythingbutipod]

Robbie Bach on Microsoft Surface: "We don't want to be in the furniture business"

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 2nd 2008 at 7:49AM

There's always an element of risk and uncertainty when stepping outside of the status quo. So it's no surprise that Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division (think: Xbox, Zune) and accused drunk thought more than once about killing off Microsoft's Surface. "I thought about killing it every year it was in development," he said. Robbie revealed that Surface (or project Milan as it was known) was in development for 5 years with a core team of 20 Microsoft employees developing the computer. Bill Gates himself was always a "big supporter." Regarding the size of the device, Bach quipped, "We don't want to be in the furniture business," as he looked forward to a more manageable consumer version in 2011. We guess that's a direct response to the wisecracking video spoof which chided, "one day your computer will be a big-ass table." Don't remember the video? No problem, we've embedded it for you after the break.

P.S. Surface is an Engadget fave, we kid the ones we love.

Continue reading Robbie Bach on Microsoft Surface: "We don't want to be in the furniture business"

CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LIV: Jobs calls Robbie Bach a drunk

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Jan 17th 2008 at 8:38PM

Proving once again that the truth is stranger (and more entertaining) than fiction, Steve Jobs himself delivers one of the finest Oh no he didn't moments ever. Apparently riding high on the thrill of introducing the MacBook Air, a hit of oxygen from his personal stash, and the espresso colonic he'd received earlier in the day, old Jobsy went "off" on Microsoft's Robbie Bach when questioned about the executive's statement that the Zune was a "worthy alternative" to the iPod. "Was he inebriated?" Jobs asked CNBC reporter Jim Goldman, and then went on to inquire, "Do you even know anyone who owns a Zune?" Uh, let's be honest -- that is way harsh. Robbie, we feel your burn... and eagerly await a response.

[Via MacDailyNews]

Microsoft sort of owns up to the Xbox 360 Arcade

by Nilay Patel, posted Oct 18th 2007 at 6:14PM

Well, it looks like Microsoft has acknowledged what we've known for almost a week -- the Xbox 360 Arcade is real and shipping. When asked by the Financial Times, Microsoft's Robbie Bach said the $279 console was designed to draw in gamers who are "more casually focused, they're looking for a new family experience or they're more price focused." Robbie might want to tell the rest of Microsoft that the cat's out of the bag though -- their PR reps are still telling our buds at Joystiq that they don't have anything to announce.

[Via Joystiq]

Xbox 360 exec Robbie Bach's personal red ring of death: insider sales?

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 12th 2007 at 8:26AM

Robbie Bach, Microsoft's executive in charge of the Xbox game console, raised a few eyebrows recently when he sold millions in Microsoft stock just prior to going public with Xbox 360 woes. In a review of SEC filings, Robbie sold some $6.2 million worth of company stock between May 2 and Microsoft's July 5th announcement of charges exceeding $1 billion for Xbox 360 repairs. It is of course perfectly normal for high-ranking corporate execs to turn over company stock. However, this is typically done according to a schedule in order to deflect concerns over insider trading -- Bach's trades followed 8 months of zero sales. Microsoft's stock did not make a significant move after the announcement which, in legal hindsight, has led some insider watchdogs to give Robbie the benefit of the doubt. We'll see if the SEC is so forgiving.