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Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

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Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#11

Post by programminggeek »

fidotron wrote: post #2

This "Microsoft Missed Mobile" meme should die in a fire. They didn't so much miss it as fail to deliver anything anyone wanted in the space, except for their most extreme fanboys, for about 15 years. Bill Gates famously went absolutely nuts about Symbian and considered them a giant threat to the company. It really didn't help. On the strength of today Nadella hasn't reined in the Windows group anything like enough.…

Microsoft Missed Mobile in that they didn't make anything compelling enough that people wanted to buy. Google and Apple did.

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#12

Post by suprgeek »

Everything I hear from friends at MS was positive (atleast until they shuttered the lab in Mountain View). More than anything else the rise in morale among Softies has been almost unbelievable.

Steve Ballmer hurt Microsoft in many insidious ways that may not be visible in the numbers - but hurt Microsoft he did. I once had the opportunity or misfortune to hear him speak about the cloud (~2011) and it was clear to everyone there that he had no-firckin idea what he was mouthing about - it was cringe-worthy. He was the epitome of Hubris & Cluelessness.

Satya seems to be making the right moves embracing open source, making MS office for tablets, Windows 10 for free upgrades, Substantial investments in Azure, A new Device focus - I heard the Microsoft Band team were given a Blank slate and told to go nuts (mostly).

There seem to be a number of other interesting things brewing...

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#13

Post by JacobAldridge »

"The release of Microsoft’s Skype Translator, which translates multilingual conversations in real time, is an early success."

Is it just me who has seen loads on the updates to Google Translate but never heard about this?

If not, then that suggests that shifting media perception about Microsoft will be critical, and isn't there yet (this piece will help). Only when the media (bloggers and mainstream) filter Microsoft announcements through a context of 'they do innovative exciting things' will product and feature releases garner the publicity Microsoft needs to change the broader public perception.

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#14

Post by nightski »

jordanpg wrote: post #8
stevenjohns wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Windows 8(.1) is great and I've used it since it was released. Going back to Windows 7 is seriously slows down my productivity in almost every way and I find it fairly inhibiting. I can see how from an administration standpoint it becomes difficult, but as an independent user there is absolutely very little wrong with it and it is miles ahead of Windows 7. Talking specifically about live tiles: I love that I am able…

This custom homepage idea has been around since Google Home and probably any number of internet portals before that. MS's version just ropes you into the MS App Store ecosystem. Found anything you want to download there recently?

It does nothing of the sort. I use the start screen all the time and none of the apps on it are MS App Store apps.

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#16

Post by staunch »

JacobAldridge wrote: post #13

"The release of Microsoft’s Skype Translator, which translates multilingual conversations in real time, is an early success." Is it just me who has seen loads on the updates to Google Translate but never heard about this? If not, then that suggests that shifting media perception about Microsoft will be critical, and isn't there yet (this piece will help). Only when the media (bloggers and mainstream) filter Microsoft…

Real artists ship. Microsoft obviously has plenty of good ideas but their execution is always lacking. I see nothing different about what Nadella is doing. If anything he seems more inclined towards flashy bs and talk over shipping.

Microsoft:

> "You could be one of the first to experience Skype Translator. All you need to do is sign up to be a preview user and we will keep you posted on what comes next."

http://www.skype.com/en/translator-preview/

Google:

> "What's New in Version 3.1.0 • Word Lens: Just point your camera to a sign or text and the Translate app will instantly translate the text, even without Internet/data connection. • Automatic language detection in speech/conversation mode - start translating with speech input and Translate will recognize which of the two languages is being spoken, allowing you to have a more fluid conversation with another person."

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506...

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#17

Post by ekianjo »

suprgeek wrote: post #12

Everything I hear from friends at MS was positive (atleast until they shuttered the lab in Mountain View). More than anything else the rise in morale among Softies has been almost unbelievable. Steve Ballmer hurt Microsoft in many insidious ways that may not be visible in the numbers - but hurt Microsoft he did. I once had the opportunity or misfortune to hear him speak about the cloud (~2011) and it was clear to eve…

> Satya seems to be making the right moves embracing open source

Let's not get carried away. You can't say "Embracing" when only very few of their products or libraries are actually Open. They are still a business massively based on DRMs and Proprietary Software and Technologies.

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#19

Post by mc32 »

kevinqi wrote: post #7

I don't know how much of it has been Nadella, but I've been impressed by everything I've heard about Microsoft the last few months - open sourcing .NET, adopting new platforms, this holographic tech and the free Windows 10 upgrade. If this is anything to go by, Nadella is going to do great things at MS.

I'm just glad MS resisted any temptation to go with true and tried leadership in the form of Bill Gates in an attempt to replay Apple's success story. The only thing I would have asked is that they had done this sooner -like after the Vista fiasco or the aborted attempt with the Courier... But retrospect is 20/20. Now to see if eBay can find leadership in the same vein.

Re: Restart: Microsoft in the age of Satya Nadella

#20

Post by JacobAldridge »

staunch wrote: post #16
JacobAldridge wrote: post #13

"The release of Microsoft’s Skype Translator, which translates multilingual conversations in real time, is an early success." Is it just me who has seen loads on the updates to Google Translate but never heard about this? If not, then that suggests that shifting media perception about Microsoft will be critical, and isn't there yet (this piece will help). Only when the media (bloggers and mainstream) filter Microsoft…

Real artists ship. Microsoft obviously has plenty of good ideas but their execution is always lacking. I see nothing different about what Nadella is doing. If anything he seems more inclined towards flashy bs and talk over shipping. Microsoft: > "You could be one of the first to experience Skype Translator. All you need to do is sign up to be a preview user and we will keep you posted on what comes next." http://www.…

Agree entirely! The article led me to believe Skype Translator had shipped, which is why I focused there and not on the obviously experimental HoloGoggles.

No bonus points for "one day" - keeping over promising and under delivering and nothing will change.

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