Ballmer: Microsoft Is Working Hard To Bring Rival To iPad

[engine]

Ballmer: Microsoft Is Working Hard To Bring Rival To iPad [news.cnet.com]

Acknowledging Apple's early success with the iPad, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer insisted Thursday that the software maker is hard at work on Windows-based tablets. "They'll be shipping as soon as they are ready," Ballmer said, offering few details on the products, which he said will come from partners, not Microsoft itself. "It is job one urgency. No one is sleeping at the switch." Speaking to financial analysts, Ballmer said the goal is "not just to deliver products, but to deliver products that people want to buy."

[claus]

but ...why? tablets are a long lived niche, at best, IMHO. Never were bestsellers.

I got my first tablet PC in 1994 with stylus/pen and all. Wow did I feel cool. But it never beat the desktop for any real task. That one ran windows 3.1 by the way. Scrapped it last year.

[BillyS]

Microsoft should be working hard... this product is well suited to a Linux-based solution.

[claus]

But BillyS, everything is well suited to a linux solution. Any hardware platform can run linux. People still *prefer* Windows, though. It's what they know. Habits don't change easily.

Plus, it's what all the big corporations and buy, private as well as public. So, if you run Windows at work or at school, you will want to run Windows at home.

(Personally I run linux as well as Windows. Never liked the UI of Mac's, but that's a personal thing.)

[mack]

I mentioned something about this in the recent iPad love it or hate it thread...

[webmasterworld.com...]

Microsoft have been telling us tablet form was the future, yet they did nothing about it. It is true they provided the software, but there really wasn't a manufacturer that could drive the tablet form to the masses.

It amazes me that Microsoft didn't produce the entire device hardware and software, they saw a gap in the games market and introduced Xbox, why didn't they invent the device that they obviously saw was going to be the future?

Someone at Microsoft slept in. They could still challenge the iPad if their device has a "real" os and comes with a more attractive price tag.

Mack.

[blaze]

The only one that can catch apple is android and I suspect Android will eventually win. It'll take a few years though.

Microsoft is just out of the race. Though they are making impressive inroads with bing, have to give them credit for that.

[travelin cat]

Why would they do this? Because Apple sold over 3 million iPads in 3-4 months.

[StoutFiles]

but ...why? tablets are a long lived niche, at best, IMHO. Never were bestsellers.

Because Apple did it, and Apple is "cool".

I worry about everyone else trying to play catch up though. It won't matter if their product is better, they need to work on their image by inventing new things, that's what really matters. The Zune could be 100 times better than the iPod...but it's a Zune, nobody cares. Say everyone catches up in the tablet compartment, then Apple releases an Apple TV, their "revolutionary" 46 inch TV that can access apps like Netflix. Now Microsoft and the others have to invent a TV that does this.

At this rate Apple will stay cool and lead the pack, while all the others will be considered second rate sheep. Stop trying to copy Apple and do something new, because I agree, tablet computers are a niche that only Apple could make popular...because they're Apple. They have a great image that the other companies would kill for.

I remember when Google had that kind of clout. What happened Google?

[BillyS]

But BillyS, everything is well suited to a linux solution. Any hardware platform can run linux. People still *prefer* Windows, though. It's what they know. Habits don't change easily.

Kindle, Nook... who cares? People will see this device the same way they look at cell phones and ebook readers.

BTW - People are hooked on MS Office, not Windows...

[StoutFiles]

It amazes me that Microsoft didn't produce the entire device hardware and software, they saw a gap in the games market and introduced Xbox, why didn't they invent the device that they obviously saw was going to be the future?

I don't think anyone saw tablets as an obvious future. Once the iPad was announced there were many doubters, myself included. It can't have programs loaded onto it. It can't run Flash. It won't be attractive to people with an iTouch/iPhone. I thought it would bomb...I was very wrong. I will never estimate Apple again.

I think Microsoft looked at a tablet many years ago just like Apple did(the original iPhone was created during work on a tablet computer). Putting a fullblown computer into tablet form is just now becoming possible, back then it didn't work. I hope Microsoft/Asus/HP can pull it off though with their tablet computers, if only to move the future of tablets away from a locked down mobile OS.

[trillianjedi]

It still amazes me that no-one really gets what this is all about.

It has nothing to do with the tablet. It has nothing to do with the iPod or iPhone.

The success of this product line for Apple is about nice hardware meets content distribution (eg, iTunes).

Without iTunes, iPod, iPad etc would be nowhere.

Microsoft shouldn't worry so much about the platform as they worry about how to distribute content.

Or to look at it another way, they don't need a rival to iPad. What they badly need is a rival to iTunes.

[iambic9]

It'll probably be what Zune is to the iPod.

Ballmer said the goal is "not just to deliver products, but to deliver products that people want to buy."

The man really knows his stuff.

[remove]

It amazes me that Microsoft didn't produce the entire device hardware and software, they saw a gap in the games market and introduced Xbox, why didn't they invent the device that they obviously saw was going to be the future?

I don't think anyone saw tablets as an obvious future.

Bill Gates in 2001: "The tablet takes cutting-edge PC technology and makes it available whenever you want it...It's a PC that is virtually without limits — and within five years I predict it will be the most popular form of PC sold in America."

They predicted that the tablet all right, and they didn't do much but build a meh OS for it, and expect hardware manufacturers to make killer hardware for it... Which never happened.

[incrediBILL]

I don't think anyone saw tablets as an obvious future.

Wrong.

Held one in my hands in the early 90s at Lotus, wanted it THEN!

The iPad is close, close enough really.

People still *prefer* Windows, though.

That's not really true.

People buy all sorts of Smart Phones and only a small percentage run Windows, they could case less.

People love easy to use data appliances with data interchangeability and MS Office is what makes the PC that appliance and the Mac for that matter.

However, using Open Office you can pretty much accomplish the same things with Linux, Windows or Mac, and exchange data with MS Office, so spruce up Open Office with a more modern look and it'll be a much easier sell.

IMO, Ballmer should be more worried about Android than the iPad because most of the new tablets coming out are Android, meaning MS has lost control of the niche already, and the Android Marketplace is booming with new apps daily.

MS has not only let Apple run lead but allowed Google to take second, they're coming up a shaky third place at this point.

[BillyS]

Without iTunes, iPod, iPad etc would be nowhere.

I could care less about iTunes, that's not why I'll buy this device.

My nephew had a tablet PC, his high school required it. I was a great device, slighly underpowered but it did its job.

This was six years ago... and the tablet cost as much as a PC ($2K back then).

Inexpensive components now mean the time has come for these devices.

[artek]

The only one that can catch apple is android and I suspect Android will eventually win. It'll take a few years though.

From the marketing point of view Android is dead already.

In recent survey 77% of iPhone owners say they'll buy another iPhone, versus just 20% of Google Android customers who say they'll buy another Android phone. Read Here [sfgate.com]

Only the hackers love Android. Read Here [news.yahoo.com]

[tangor]

Why would they do this? Because Apple sold over 3 million iPads in 3-4 months.

Admittedly impressive numbers for such a short time span, but I have to ask... how many Mac/Apple guys and gals are out there? Market penetration does not seem to indicate Apple has the magic bullet. That said, MS was asleep at the wheel, even though they brought the tablet brag early. Where's it going? Your guess is as good as others (but not me... I haven't found a use for a tablet, iPad, iPod, Zune, etc. so I'm not in the cheering section for either...)

[incrediBILL]

From the marketing point of view Android is dead already.

Don't give up your day job to get into marketing, bad idea.

Android, coming from no-where, is growing in huge leaps and bounds, probably more devices using it coming on the market than anything.

The problem with both iCrud and Win 7 is you have to buy tools to build the apps, and in the case of iCrud, a new computer as well if you don't already own iJunk.

With Android the tools are free, you can develop on any computer.

That's how they'll win the war, free-for-all.

[Ahkamden]

From the marketing point of view Android is dead already.

In recent survey 77% of iPhone owners say they'll buy another iPhone, versus just 20% of Google Android customers who say they'll buy another Android phone. Read Here [sfgate.com]

Only the hackers love Android. Read Here [news.yahoo.com]

Note I don't have an Android phone, don't want one. Also don't want an Apple phone...But if you're going to use those type of articles. At least source include what their source reports.

[blogs.yankeegroup.com...]

[tangor]

@incrediBILL ... You made me chuckle! Inbetween the chuckles is good insight, but the fanbois might take it the wrong way (Apple Wanks or MS Wanks, either way, much less the Giggle Wanks!).

How many cell phones in the world? How many (vanishingly small) iPhones are there? Don't read the media iJobs news, read the published stats regarding IN USE units to determine your markets.

[incrediBILL]

Perhaps my point was too subtle - at this point Microsoft has to beat the array of Android tablets currently coming to market before it can even play in Apple's sandbox.

In the old days just the fact of Microsoft announcing they were building a new tablet would've killed iPad sales and the whole Android tablet crowd would've tucked their tail between their legs, closed shop and went home.

Wouldn't matter if Microsoft didn't deliver for 5 years, just their FUD announcement used to be enough to destabilize an industry niche.

However, those days are long over IMO because everyone is delivering these days except Microsoft who's playing serious catch-up.

It will be interesting to see if Microsoft still has enough marketing muscle to push itself to #2 ahead of Google, not sure, but it'll be fun to watch!

[true_INFP]

Even if Microsoft created a better product than ipad, iphone, ipod, people won't buy it in such massive amounts.

Why?

Well, Ballmer should understand that the huge sales numbers aren't caused by the Apple products being extraordinary products better than everything else but because the Apple fans indiscriminately and fanatically buy anything and everything Apple produces. Almost like sheep (I've even seen the word "iSheep" used in this context).

Microsoft will never create such religious following because it is mainstream and a monopoly. People subconsciously tend to hate monopolies or just not get overly excited about their products. BTW, Google has been getting the same treatment in the past one or two years.

[tangor]

Absolutely agree MS is late to the mobile market. Just don't agree that Apple has that sewed up because they don't. Can MS enter? I think so on this one, unlike playing hurly gurly catchup to Google for search... that one is a tough row to hoe! Phones, on the other hand, that's a market where even Goggle is trying to break in... and at present are making good headway but not yet market leader. I'm not currently at work on Win7 for mobile but I do have a few friends who are working on this... and what they say is interesting. The next 18-24 months may be eye openers.

[J_RaD]

why is microsoft worried about what a consumer gadget company is doing.

[incrediBILL]

Absolutely agree MS is late to the mobile market.

They aren't late, they were way ahead of their time actually.

The market didn't exist when they were pushing their earlier wares and now the time is ripe because the technology has caught up with long lasting batteries, hi-res screens, wifi, 3G, SDD, you name it and it's all converging now.

MS had cell phone software Windows CE in 2001 also release as "Microsoft Windows Powered Smartphone 2002" - when was the first iPhone released, 2007?

The problem is MS never made it *COOL* and by the time the technology all converged to make the ultra-cool gadgets happen, MS and all their hardware vendors had convinced themselves (IMO) prematurely that the mass market didn't exist so they we ignoring it based on being way too early to the party.

Remember, I had a touch screen tablet in my hands (8x10 sized device) for development purposes for several weeks back around '91, this stuff ain't new, and back then it wasn't cheap.

Lotus eventually dismembered their pen tablet computing group that same year and the lead programmer went to work for MS.

why is microsoft worried about what a consumer gadget company is doing.

Billions of dollars at stake.

Why do they have Xbox? Zune? Win 7 phones?

If MS can't produce software for all their hardware vendors like Dell, Gateway, HP, etc. then they'll lose that business to Android or like HP recently did, simply buy a software source.

Being first doesn't always make a market and in the iPad instance MS was so early they missed it by 2 decades!

[albo]

The apps do not the iPad make (because the browser is open, and one can get to all the web through Safari).

But surly SJ and his walled garden keep the iPad a tethered appliance requiring the presence of a mother PC, as opposed to an independent device.

MSFT has a real opportunity to leapfrog AAPL in this respect. And I see tablets having a firm future - for easy travel, if nothing else. Webmasters must learn appropriate new site styling for them.

Some education institutions are already parceling out iPads to students for use in classes, instead of textbooks.

The iPad (so far, anyway) has limitations for being purely a data *consumer* and not a *producer* - and thus not strictly suited for all. Balmer spoke of the tablet being able to print. That's an important first step. Document and photo editing, even at a rudimentary level, will provide a winning device. Go MSFT!

[incrediBILL]

That's an important first step. Document and photo editing, even at a rudimentary level, will provide a winning device. Go MSFT!

Again, Ballmer is a day late and a dollar short.

iPhones, iPads, Androids, etc. are already input devices accepting voice, voice to text, text and image data

I can already edit images on my Android phone, edit or create Word & Excel files, etc. so you could do it on an Android tablet as well, and I would assume an iPad.

Don't buy the MS F.U.D. - what's missing other than a MS logo?

[graeme_p]

In recent survey 77% of iPhone owners say they'll buy another iPhone, versus just 20% of Google Android customers who say they'll buy another Android phone.

Misquotes the original study.

The clarification [blogs.yankeegroup.com] says that 20% of ALL respondents who intend to buy a smartphone intend to buy an Android based one (sompared to 34% for Apple, and 27% for Blackberry). Apple does have better customer loyalty, but nothing like as much as the misquote suggests.

[artek]

Don't give up your day job to get into marketing, bad idea.

Thank you for your advise incrediBILL but it is little too late for that.

I wouldn't call myself expert but I have been involved in marketing for thirty something years at individual and mass consumer levels running businesses where my valet would be severely punished for not recognizing in time consumer' buying trends.

I learned hard way to recognize first signs where real consumer demand is going opposite of my, as a supplier, wishful thinking.

The consumer markets are driven by average end-user who almost subconsciously recognizes usability and simplicity of particular product to them. The momentum this year belongs to Apple products because consumers seem to like them more than other brands.

It seems that as US population is aging, consumers want one standard user friendly system, for their computer, phone, tablet, entertainment center, and guess who have it?

But if you're going to use those type of articles. At least source include what their source reports.

Thank you Ahkamden I read whole thing including comments twice.

It is like Hollywood style argument "we said that but we really meant this".

Fact is that if only 20 or 32 percent of your clients are going to buy your product again you most likely lost your repeating client base and that will drive you out of the market sooner or later.

@incrediBILL ... You made me chuckle! Inbetween the chuckles is good insight, but the fanbois might take it the wrong way (Apple Wanks or MS Wanks, either way, much less the Giggle Wanks!).

tangor, you made me chuckle too you forgot to mention Android Wanks!

[hutcheson]

I think the Android wanks were included in the Giggle wanks.

But the Microsoft phone software is dead on arrival. The reason is simple. Phones are made by arrangement with the phone companies. And those phone companies have seen what kind of extortion Microsoft runs on desktop-computer companies. There's no way on earth they'll stick important body parts into that grinder until the blood dries.

Consumers don't hate Microsoft. They don't know enough to. It's Microsoft partners who REALLY hate Microsoft.

And that little fact will haunt Microsofties who go looking for new partners. Small companies may think their body parts are small enough to slip between the rotating knives. Big companies, if they deal at all, will make sure that they have an exit path from any Microsoft partnership--in practice, they'll give consumers a real choice from the beginning. And they'll make sure that if Microsoft turns nasty (more nasty?) they can drop the Microsoft option altogether.

Microsoft won't be able to get their monopoly in phone OSes....and they don't know how to make a profit without a monopoly.

Maybe their next CEO can teach them.

Or ... their grave may be large enough, we won't have to wait in line to dance on it.