It's been pointed out elsewhere already, but this is exactly what has already happened "on his watch."
how does this guy keep his job? stagnant stock price for years, crap product after crap product, including xbox, don't forget the red ring of death? The only thing he seems to be watching is his rear view mirror, as apple, google and others zoom on past!
Original quote... "Ballmer said Microsoft intends to make it "absolutely clear" that the company plans to compete in any market against Apple, according to CRN. He said Microsoft plans to "innovate everywhere" and bring its partners along for the ride."
Considering the recent Surface** announcement debacle, I interpret it more like... "take its partners for a ride."
** After the 1st quarter sales shipped figures, probably renamed "Surplus".
Yes! Focus like a laser on... Er, ah... Everything!
Or, don't send a boy to do a man's job... Send two boys!
Is anyone, here, old enough to remember when Apple used to compete with Microsoft? What a difference a decade makes. When, exactly, did Microsoft become the scrappy, little underdog? This is messed up.
Apple continually analyzes where technology is going and creates new opportunities for itself. Everyone else pretends to be doing the same, but really only content on producing the same crappy products, punching clocks and desperately trying to maintain the status quo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac Voyer
Is anyone, here, old enough to remember when Apple used to compete with Microsoft? What a difference a decade makes. When, exactly, did Microsoft become the scrappy, little underdog? This is messed up.
Apple didn't get where it is today by competing in existing markets. It got there by creating NEW markets. If SB really wanted to grow MS from where it is today, they shouldn't be "apeing" (there's the requisite monkey reference..sorta...leave me alone primate biologists! ) in markets where Apple has a huge lead, they should be out creating insanely great products that we never knew we needed.
Exactly. And ironically Apple is the one accused of "stifling" innovation with the patent lawsuits... Sigh....
Now, it may not seem like it now with all the iPhones and Android stuff out there, but in 5yrs it's going to be very different. Microsoft is a very aggressive company that has no qualms about destroying all competition,
OK....
it has the muscle and desire to do this.
Really? What "muscle" specifically?
Desire - let's talk about desire. Ever here the old saying "Put what you want in want in one hand and poo poo in the other and then see what your left with".
Microsoft doesn't need muscle or desire - they need COMPELLING PRODUCTS.
The real problem with Microsoft is no one is in charge. The Windows and Office divisions run roughshod over the rest of the company. Those two divisions even snipe among themselves. There's another even older saying about a house divided....
Actions of the present and history prove this. They have an enormous amount of patents and are not afraid of enforcing these
Patents in and of themselves aren't interesting. RELEVANT patents are. And Apple and Microsoft have significant cross licensing deals, so again - RELEVANT patents are interesting.
either through payment or litigation, enforcing lock-in, and are buying up companies.
How many times do you realistically think any company can do that - even one as big as Microsoft?
Microsoft is also heavily into advertising to shape public opinion e.g. through support of internet sites.
Advertising may create intial buzz, but success comes from ultimately having a COMPELLING PRODUCT that people want to buy. So far the only compelling arguments I have heard about the Surface relate to momentum, existing software, Microsoft Office, etc...
By refusing to put Office on the iPad, millions of people are learning that you can do plenty of work with Office files without having to have Office. Huge loss of mindshare and value....
Young people today are brought up on Microsoft Windows, they know that brand name like Coke. Yes, I know Apple products have become more popular is some markets and countries, but it's easy to go back to Microsoft stuff.
Apple and Google had better watch out otherwise it will be repeat of what had happened on the desktop.
Hardly. In the 90's Microsoft lucked into a series of events as well as capitalizing on a weak Apple that couldn't execute on their platform strengths with the Mac. Steve Jobs pointed these issues out right before he came back to Apple and vowed to never make those same mistakes again after returning to Apple.
The current Apple juggernaut is the proof that he was absolutely 100% correct.
Further compounding things for Microsoft is the success of iOS devices and initiatives like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) that have effectively neutered the IT high priesthood that stood as the gatekeepers to corporate IT standards. What few companies that participated in Software Assurance are bolting from Software Assurance and Google is making significant inroads in corporations and government.
Anyone who tries to compare todays environment to the early 90's where Windows first rose to prominence really hasn't been paying attention, or is living in a fantasy world that no longer exists.
Recently Microsoft is making the right moves to achieving this
Wouldn't a right move be actually shipping something?
but I hope I'm wrong because the consequences for us are a lack of innovation.
Lucky for us innovation isn't limited to Microsoft, Google or even Apple. I have no sympathy for Microsoft if they fall by the way side. I have no ill will for them, either. I did when they did act in a monopolistic manner, but in the end that didn't even matter as market forces have won out and Apple is where they are by not taking MS on in their terms, but creating a whole new set of rules by focusing on mobile - an area where MS and the rest of industry was weak.
At the end of the day, talk, marketing and past performance is all cheap. Real products that are successful and profitable are what matter - which is why I don't really see Google as much of a threat to Apple either. Google still makes more money on iOS via advertising than from Android; and that's without even factoring all the acquisition costs for Android itself, development, the Motorola acquisition, etc....
The thing is that Microsoft has not even been able to compete in smartphones. Even with the big launch effort, they are at < 3% share. You can argue that the Windows 8 launch in Fall is the real test
The bottom line is that they are running out of time. If they can't reverse their predicament in smartphones, it's game over. It will seal their fate in tablets
What Steve does not realize is that Apple is playing offense, not defense. Apple is determined to double or triple their share in PCs. Microsoft core PC business, never mind post-PC, is under assault
it would be fun to be at a board meeting. OK, you had an operating system when you became president, you had Office, you had IE, you had a corporate server, you had lots of people invested in those tools. Take away those massive profits that would be there no matter if you were here or not, what have you done to grow PROFITS? What profitable new market have we entered that will part of your legacy. What new product has been an unqualified success, measured by profits, not the number shipped? What is your vision for where MS is going? Oh, we're copying Apple? So they are leading MS, then why do we have you?
I can't imagine that the board doesn't get even more pointed than this. But SB is still there. There's a case study here somewhere.
To be fair what could he do! Ok IE is an exception, IE was ripped off from Netscape, but the rest .... Windows was ripped off from Mac OS and Steve Jobs commissioned Microsoft to create Office per his specs for Mac OS long before they ripped of Mac OS. So in a nutshell, Microsoft exists by extension of being Apple's biggest fan ... Now Google beats them to ripping off iOS ... What can the poor slob do? He just has to wait for something new from Apple and try to beat Google to it. Give him a break will ya? /wink
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
It's been pointed out elsewhere already, but this is exactly what has already happened "on his watch."
how does this guy keep his job? stagnant stock price for years, crap product after crap product, including xbox, don't forget the red ring of death? The only thing he seems to be watching is his rear view mirror, as apple, google and others zoom on past!
Ballmer should have met my Dad...
"Boy, sometimes you need to crank up your brain before you engage your damn mouth"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fotoformat
Original quote... "Ballmer said Microsoft intends to make it "absolutely clear" that the company plans to compete in any market against Apple, according to CRN. He said Microsoft plans to "innovate everywhere" and bring its partners along for the ride."
Considering the recent Surface** announcement debacle, I interpret it more like... "take its partners for a ride."
** After the 1st quarter sales shipped figures, probably renamed "Surplus".
Yes! Focus like a laser on... Er, ah... Everything!
Or, don't send a boy to do a man's job... Send two boys!
Quote:
Originally Posted by VisualZone
The picture was probably Photoshopped.
But, but... Why would they publish the original?
Why is it messed up? MS did it to themselves.
Apple continually analyzes where technology is going and creates new opportunities for itself. Everyone else pretends to be doing the same, but really only content on producing the same crappy products, punching clocks and desperately trying to maintain the status quo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mac Voyer
Is anyone, here, old enough to remember when Apple used to compete with Microsoft? What a difference a decade makes. When, exactly, did Microsoft become the scrappy, little underdog? This is messed up.
It was his best side.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum
But, but... Why would they publish the original?
Compete with Apple Products? Wait.....................wait...................
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...........................
The only thing Apple has not started yet is Gaming Machines which XBOX and PS has been dominating.
When Apple invent something, it last a long time.
Typing on my Macbook Pro early 2008........
Exactly. And ironically Apple is the one accused of "stifling" innovation with the patent lawsuits... Sigh....
OK....
Really? What "muscle" specifically?
Desire - let's talk about desire. Ever here the old saying "Put what you want in want in one hand and poo poo in the other and then see what your left with".
Microsoft doesn't need muscle or desire - they need COMPELLING PRODUCTS.
The real problem with Microsoft is no one is in charge. The Windows and Office divisions run roughshod over the rest of the company. Those two divisions even snipe among themselves. There's another even older saying about a house divided....
Patents in and of themselves aren't interesting. RELEVANT patents are. And Apple and Microsoft have significant cross licensing deals, so again - RELEVANT patents are interesting.
Yeah - buying up companies. They just wrote off their entire quarters profit with a past acquisition that flopped.
How many times do you realistically think any company can do that - even one as big as Microsoft?
Advertising may create intial buzz, but success comes from ultimately having a COMPELLING PRODUCT that people want to buy. So far the only compelling arguments I have heard about the Surface relate to momentum, existing software, Microsoft Office, etc...
Yet the iOS/OSX is on track to pass windows sales.
By refusing to put Office on the iPad, millions of people are learning that you can do plenty of work with Office files without having to have Office. Huge loss of mindshare and value....
Ahem...
Hardly. In the 90's Microsoft lucked into a series of events as well as capitalizing on a weak Apple that couldn't execute on their platform strengths with the Mac. Steve Jobs pointed these issues out right before he came back to Apple and vowed to never make those same mistakes again after returning to Apple.
The current Apple juggernaut is the proof that he was absolutely 100% correct.
Further compounding things for Microsoft is the success of iOS devices and initiatives like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) that have effectively neutered the IT high priesthood that stood as the gatekeepers to corporate IT standards. What few companies that participated in Software Assurance are bolting from Software Assurance and Google is making significant inroads in corporations and government.
Anyone who tries to compare todays environment to the early 90's where Windows first rose to prominence really hasn't been paying attention, or is living in a fantasy world that no longer exists.
Wouldn't a right move be actually shipping something?
Lucky for us innovation isn't limited to Microsoft, Google or even Apple. I have no sympathy for Microsoft if they fall by the way side. I have no ill will for them, either. I did when they did act in a monopolistic manner, but in the end that didn't even matter as market forces have won out and Apple is where they are by not taking MS on in their terms, but creating a whole new set of rules by focusing on mobile - an area where MS and the rest of industry was weak.
At the end of the day, talk, marketing and past performance is all cheap. Real products that are successful and profitable are what matter - which is why I don't really see Google as much of a threat to Apple either. Google still makes more money on iOS via advertising than from Android; and that's without even factoring all the acquisition costs for Android itself, development, the Motorola acquisition, etc....
Yup, and so far he's failed at every market. Keep up the good work Balmer.
fear is the mindkiller...
balmer is scared..
The main difference between the release of iOS 6 and Windows Phone 8:
The day after it is released, there will be an installed base of tens of millions of phones running iOS 6.
It will be YEARS before Windows Phone 8 gets that high, if ever.
That's one day against years.
Which platform do you want to develop for?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chairman Mao
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...........................
You just changed from Chairman MAO to Chairman LMAO.
The bottom line is that they are running out of time. If they can't reverse their predicament in smartphones, it's game over. It will seal their fate in tablets
What Steve does not realize is that Apple is playing offense, not defense. Apple is determined to double or triple their share in PCs. Microsoft core PC business, never mind post-PC, is under assault
To be fair what could he do! Ok IE is an exception, IE was ripped off from Netscape, but the rest .... Windows was ripped off from Mac OS and Steve Jobs commissioned Microsoft to create Office per his specs for Mac OS long before they ripped of Mac OS. So in a nutshell, Microsoft exists by extension of being Apple's biggest fan ... Now Google beats them to ripping off iOS ... What can the poor slob do? He just has to wait for something new from Apple and try to beat Google to it. Give him a break will ya? /wink
On the upside the fear seems to be helping his weight problem ...
Steve Ballmer speaking to the Microsoft board of directors about Windows 8 and Surface.