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Apple Google Microsoft

Ballmer on Tablets

CNN Money: “The CEO claimed that Microsoft needs to take its time to get its products just right to compete in the intensely scrutinized tablet space. He said that chipmaker Intel (INTC, Fortune 500) will be coming out next year with a tablet-specific processor called “Oak Trail” that will help manufacturers make better tablets that run Windows 7.”

I find it interesting that Intel is now making tablet specific chip sets, after Apple ships a highly successful device. Ballmer also states that the Windows based devices will likely be cheaper than the iPad.

I guess we’ll see. I hope they’re good because that’ll just push Apple and others to make better devices, which makes things better for all of us.

I’d also expect to see some Android based devices hitting the market pretty soon.

Categories
Microsoft Mobile

Windows 7 Apps “in your spare time”

Electronista: “Microsoft is hoping to bolster its early Windows Phone 7 app list with those made by its staff in their free time, a memo obtained Thursday said. As part of the same note that promised free WP7 phones to staff, mobile lead Andy Lees encouraged workers to write their own apps to help support the launch. The company is further rolling out an employee developer program to fast-track apps made unofficially within Microsoft.”

Could be a nice little side business for Microsoft employees.

Categories
Microsoft

KIN, you didn’t stand a chance

The Register: “Redmond told its workers (the official headcount comes in around 87,000 people worldwide) that each and every last one of ’em would soon be fondling their very own Windows 7 phone, which is set to officially launch in October.”

Man, what kind of message is that to the KIN team? “Yeah, we don’t care about that silly little phone you just finished.”

I wonder how many ‘Softies will continue to use their iPhone and Droid based phones?

Categories
Microsoft

Windows Phone 7 or Lump of Coal?

Have a lump of coal.Info World: “No caveats now: Windows Phone 7 is a waste of time and money. It’s a platform that no carrier, device maker, developer, or user should bother with. Microsoft should kill it before it ships and admit that it’s out of the mobile game for good. It is supposed to ship around Christmas 2010, but anyone who gets one will prefer a lump of coal. I really mean that.”

If it has any remnants of the old Windows Mobile UI, or KIN for that matter, it’s a non starter. Hopefully it’s not too KIN like, allows third-party apps, and has an app store for developers day one. That will at least give it a chance.

Categories
Microsoft

Mini Microsoft; KIN, Ozzie, and Layoffs

Mini Microsoft: “Dude, Where’s My Job? Folks have been talking about ongoing stealth layoffs and the impending July FY11 layoffs reacting to teams with reduced budgets. I’ve scanned some various HR calendars and found some interesting appointments more around next week vs. this week, but the layoff rumors have spilled over beyond here and into TechFlash…”

Man, am I glad I’m no longer there. I hope the folks I know there make it through? Apparently the layoffs were supposed to start today?

Oh, my, according to a Daring Fireball source Microsoft only sold 503 KIN units before pulling the plug. That is disappointing beyond belief, if it’s true.

Categories
Apple Microsoft

Windows 8 plans?

CNet: “One thing that is made abundantly clear is that Microsoft has been paying attention to Apple. In the documents, which appear to come from an April meeting with computer makers, Microsoft discusses its Cupertino, Calif.-based rival and outlines plans to offer a Windows Store similar to the way Apple distributes software on its iPhone. The documents, which Microsoft has declined to comment on or authenticate, also talk about plans to give Windows a more iPad-like response time through new power management settings.”

Good luck boys, you have a big hill to climb.

Categories
Apple Microsoft

Ain’t gonna happen

Barron’s: “Chowdhry says the new version of VS will allow developers to write native applications for the iPhone, iPad and Mac OS. And here’s the kicker: he thinks Microsoft’s presentation could be given by none other than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. (Or if not, at least Bob Muglia, who runs Microsoft’s server and tools business.)”

There’s no way this is going to happen. Great rumor though.

Categories
Microsoft

Microsoft Entertainment Division Shakeup

TechFlash: “Robbie Bach and J Allard, founding fathers of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division, are leaving the company as part of a broader restructuring that will give CEO Steve Ballmer more direct oversight of consumer businesses including Microsoft’s struggling mobile unit.”

Darn, I hope this doesn’t mean the end of XBox and/or Microsoft Game Studio Games. We love our XBox, and XBox Live, it would be a real shame to see that go away. Hopefully this announcement doesn’t slow sales.

Categories
Business Microsoft

The end of Microsoft?

CNNMoney.com: “We are fully entrenched in the world of Cloud 2. Smart phones that run apps have replaced PCs. We are mobile. We touch, not click. We are social, not siloed. Our location is known, not anonymous. We know more about what our friends are doing than our own employees, and sometimes our own families. Facebook, Apple, and a new generation of technologies are defining our daily experiences. The old model looks older every day as it tries to hold on in a last gasp of updates based on stability instead of innovation.” – Never count Microsoft out, to do that would be a huge mistake. They still have money, lots of money. Sure, they’re down, remember that’s when animals are the most dangerous, when they’re down and hurt. They’ll learn from Apple and Google and Facebook, or they’ll eventually be a line item in a history book, but isn’t that an inevitable fate of all companies? The world continues to change around us at a frightening pace. Does anyone remember when MySpace was the second coming? Yeah, me neither. Look at some of Apple’s recent moves. No more Apple Developer Awards for desktop developers. That move leaves you going “Hmmmmmm, wonder what that means?” Apple knows where they’re headed, the future, and they’re helping to define it. They’re becoming the new Goliath while Microsoft slips into the background. Question is, who will dethrone Apple? Yes, I believe it’ll happen, just as it did with Microsoft and IBM before them. Of course I’m not betting against them, I’ve become an Apple Fanboy, but they’ll eventually make a mistake like Microsoft did before them, and IBM did before Microsoft. I only wish I could figure out who’s going to take their place?