The iPhone announcement was big news last week. It's still being talked about this week. I just saw this YouTube video with Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, talking smack about the iPhone. Some of the comments were surprising. Ballmer commented on the iPhone's price, claiming that it was the most expensive phone ever. I would argue that a superlative like that is ideal in the phone market at this time. Since iPod, Apple has become more of a status symbol than a price competitor. Microsoft's Zune has yet to prove that it is not a "me too" product in the music player category. Apple's iPhone also has the distinction of being the only OS X phone on the market, not to mention the style isn't bad. Nothing else is an iPhone. Apple doesn't want guys like Ballmer to understand the logic behind Apple's community. Innovation, design, and "coolness" are more important than price to Apple people. Some of the folks that buy Apple, buy it because they can't stand Microsoft. Ballmer's comments are the perfect way to entice more would be buyers. If Microsoft laughs at it, then it must be good. Apple is everything Microsoft isn't. Check out some of the comments below the video to see what MAC fans really feel.
Just for fun, imagine a successful viral ad created by your competition. This ad features one of the leaders of this company exemplifying everything that your company is against. The CEO of that company is talking about money, markets, and leadership. That CEO completely ignores a large following of people eagerly awaiting any news from your company. He doesn't see what you see. He can't see what the fans see. In the process of putting down your product, he endorses it and challenges you to prove him wrong. He dares you to go out and buy it. That's exactly what happened here. Steve Ballmer gave Apple fans exactly what they wanted, a good laugh.
It's good to see that some bloggers see through this guys BS. I'm amazed that he is the CEO of Microsoft. What a clown! What was Bill Gates thinking? I think the iPhone(s) will give Microsoft a run for their money starting in June and he knows it.
Posted by: Pete | January 20, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Its funney that they claim to be the "peoples" pc company but he makes it clear in this vid that microsoft focuses most of their attention to buisines people and not the average user.
Posted by: mortalez | January 21, 2007 at 08:14 AM
Ballmer's comments aren't complete BS - there are many, many valid criticisms of the iPhone's functionality and business model. However, this is pretty much par for the course when ANY Apple product is announced. I seem to recall this list being presented when the first iPod was announced:
1.) Battery life too short
2.) Only works with Mac
3.) Only works with iTunes
4.) Doesn't support enough audio codecs
5.) Closed system for development
6.) Too expensive
7.) Nobody wants this product
8.) Competitors have a larger hard drive
9.) Only connects through Firewire
Obviously, Apple should have just shelved the iPod and never let it see the light day, right? It was such a bad product.
Two simple things that will determine the success of the iPhone:
1.) User satisfaction (do they say 'I LOVE THIS PHONE')
2.) Fashion (will this become THE phone that every teenager, young professional, and fashion-conscious American wants)
Beyond that - any limits/restrictions/issues with the functionality of the iPhone are completely irrelevant. Apple will end up selling 10 million of these before Xmas 2007.
Posted by: Steve | January 21, 2007 at 03:57 PM
I think Ballmer's wrong when he calls iPhone "the most expensive phone ever." I can't put my finger on it, but in one review defending Apple's price point, several other higher-cost phones that are currently in production were cited. I think one of them was a $700 HP.
Posted by: Jan Steinman | January 21, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Vertu makes phones that range in price from $5,750 to $26,550 so Ballmer really doesn't know what he is talking about. So what else is new?
Posted by: Welshdog | January 22, 2007 at 04:19 AM
The thing that is absolutely incrediable is that "this guy" (Balmer) is the CEO of the biggest company in America --look at the way he carries himself --has always carried himself, his persona --he acts like that goofy neighbor that wanders around in house in pajamas all day. I mean he is a goof. Most biz executives at least know to carry themselves with aura of being substantial --this guy, you can easily imagine being in an episode of "The Office" --you know I'm right, admit it. ha ha
Posted by: OMG | January 22, 2007 at 07:38 AM
I purchased Microsoft Streets and Trips 2005 on CD a couple of years ago and would
like to upgrade to Streets & Trips 2007. My laptop does NOT have a DVD, only a CD
and I cannot find the software on CD. Can anyone tell me if there is
somewhere that I can purchase it on CD. Failing that, if I purchase
the program on
DVD, will it work to I have a computer shop or someone with an
auxilary DVD load the DVD onto my computer or does the DVD have to
stay in the computer for the program to work?
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Posted by: Coach Purses | March 08, 2011 at 02:46 AM
Crazy. Probably just envy.
Posted by: dikka | November 28, 2011 at 10:03 AM