Live data from Hacker News

Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

news.cnet.com

11–20 of 21 posts

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#11
post #7

He is just trying to publicly discredit the competition. If you actually think Microsoft is ignoring Android internally, then you are very mistaken. He was asked a question about it and answered it. His only realistic options were to do what he did and talk about it in a negative sense or politely refuse the question. What else would you expect him to say? He's not going to legitimize a competitors product, especiall…

Sure he's trying to publicly discredit them, but the point is he's doing a terrible job of it. By saying things that are obviously false, he discredits himself and Microsoft. Here's a realistic option you didn't mention: _reposition the competition_.

For example, he could say, "We've had a look, and it certainly has its niche, but ultimately it's just another Google Labs experiment in Perpetual Beta. Anybody remember ___ or ___ or ___ (he names some Google Labs has-beens), experiments that didn't turn into anything?

We'll have more to say when they release a version with fewer bugs and rough corners in a year or two."

Then he smiles and shuts up, refusing to say exactly what the bugs and rough corners are. This is a lot more believable, and it positions the phone as an experiment. That would be close enough to the truth to raise some doubts. And even fans might be reminded to wait for a faster, cheaper, better version down the road, which would undermine their sales.

Or he could reposition the phone as being hard-to-use, which some of his market believes is the case about Linux. Or "incompatible." Or any of half a dozen reasonable quasi-objections that spread Uncertainty and Doubt. But a bald-faced dismissal runs smack against reality.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#12
post #3

Well... given his track record, I'd say this sets up Android to be an enormous success. This says a lot about Microsoft's stance on the phone market as well (we won't innovate unless we can make serious money!). Edit: I'm not the only one! ( http://daringfireball.net/linked/2008/11/06/ballmer-android )

Obviously Ballmer doesn't see the big picture.

Android is not free! (It is but they have a revenue model)

Google pays out 1$ for every Firefox install for a search box. Android bundles all google services...

Also, Google is very interested in the mobile networks and this is a good way to develop relationship with carriers.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#13
post #7

He is just trying to publicly discredit the competition. If you actually think Microsoft is ignoring Android internally, then you are very mistaken. He was asked a question about it and answered it. His only realistic options were to do what he did and talk about it in a negative sense or politely refuse the question. What else would you expect him to say? He's not going to legitimize a competitors product, especiall…

Sure he's trying to publicly discredit them, but the point is he's doing a terrible job of it. By saying things that are obviously false, he discredits himself and Microsoft. Here's a realistic option you didn't mention: _reposition the competition_. For example, he could say, "We've had a look, and it certainly has its niche, but ultimately it's just another Google Labs experiment in Perpetual Beta. Anybody remember…

Looks like he squandered his opportunity to be more evil.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#15
post #12
post #3

Well... given his track record, I'd say this sets up Android to be an enormous success. This says a lot about Microsoft's stance on the phone market as well (we won't innovate unless we can make serious money!). Edit: I'm not the only one! ( http://daringfireball.net/linked/2008/11/06/ballmer-android )

Obviously Ballmer doesn't see the big picture. Android is not free! (It is but they have a revenue model) Google pays out 1$ for every Firefox install for a search box. Android bundles all google services... Also, Google is very interested in the mobile networks and this is a good way to develop relationship with carriers.

I'm sure he does see the big picture, he's probably just spreading FUD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#16

He also dismissed iPhone initially and didn't understand why people would buy it. How can the CEO of one of the world's most well-known technology companies be so completely clueless about technology?

His was one of the Technology-Guy/Business-Guy partnerships back in the day. He was the Business-Guy. The Technology-Guy has since left.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#17
post #3

Well... given his track record, I'd say this sets up Android to be an enormous success. This says a lot about Microsoft's stance on the phone market as well (we won't innovate unless we can make serious money!). Edit: I'm not the only one! ( http://daringfireball.net/linked/2008/11/06/ballmer-android )

He laughed at the iphone too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So7qrFO_p44

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#18

He also dismissed iPhone initially and didn't understand why people would buy it. How can the CEO of one of the world's most well-known technology companies be so completely clueless about technology?

>> He also dismissed iPhone initially and didn't understand why people would buy it.

IMHO he just told that to the journalist. What he really think about iP or what he does and does not understand is a different matter.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#19
post #7

He is just trying to publicly discredit the competition. If you actually think Microsoft is ignoring Android internally, then you are very mistaken. He was asked a question about it and answered it. His only realistic options were to do what he did and talk about it in a negative sense or politely refuse the question. What else would you expect him to say? He's not going to legitimize a competitors product, especiall…

Sure he's trying to publicly discredit them, but the point is he's doing a terrible job of it. By saying things that are obviously false, he discredits himself and Microsoft. Here's a realistic option you didn't mention: _reposition the competition_. For example, he could say, "We've had a look, and it certainly has its niche, but ultimately it's just another Google Labs experiment in Perpetual Beta. Anybody remember…

> But a bald-faced dismissal runs smack against reality.

Gives me the mental image of Balmer head-ramming a wall.

Re: Ballmer on Android: "Blah dee blah dee blah"

#20
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure he's trying to publicly discredit them, but the point is he's doing a terrible job of it. By saying things that are obviously false, he discredits himself and Microsoft. Here's a realistic option you didn't mention: _reposition the competition_. For example, he could say, "We've had a look, and it certainly has its niche, but ultimately it's just another Google Labs experiment in Perpetual Beta. Anybody remember…

> But a bald-faced dismissal runs smack against reality. Gives me the mental image of Balmer head-ramming a wall.

Stop it! You're making my mouth water.
Post reply on HN