Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
1–10 of 20 posts
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#2Given the Xbox I'd say that Microsoft should own a large chunk of the tablet market — it would be sad if they just gave that up to Apple and Google.
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#3He's just trolling, right?
I mean, this – there's absolutely no way in hell that this is something he truly entertains as possible.
I cannot fully wrap my head around the sort of mental structure that would allow someone to watch 2010 happen and then make these remarks. Of course, when you don't actually have any sort of credible plan in place to deal with a new, hot market, this sort of thing takes on the flavor of wishful thinking.
"Oh, no. The market realities haven't changed. We still get to keep making money by doing the exact same things we have always done."
Sounds like Intel.
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#4Paul Thurrott said it best. It was a verbal comment on Windows Weekly so I don't have an exact quote, but it was something like:
"If you're a senior exec at Apple, and you're looking at these bumbling boobs that are your competitors, you've got to be the happiest guy in the world."
I look forward to the Microsoft Computer Room
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#5He's just trolling, right? I mean, this – there's absolutely no way in hell that this is something he truly entertains as possible. I cannot fully wrap my head around the sort of mental structure that would allow someone to watch 2010 happen and then make these remarks. Of course, when you don't actually have any sort of credible plan in place to deal with a new, hot market, this sort of thing takes on the flavor of…
At least Intel is working on MeeGo to have something for the tablet space
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#6Tablets will eclipse laptops and desktops for the same reason people eat dinner in kitchen/breakfast nook instead of the dining room. They are lazy and will make do with what is in front of their face.
The iPad, because of its form factor, follows you around the house. It's sitting on the kitchen counter. It's on the arm of your deck chair. It's portable in a way that not even laptops are.
It's the book you read because it happened to be on the shelf at your parent's house. It's dish you order at your husband's favorite restaurant. It's not the most powerful computing device ever to grace this planet, but it's there. It's immediate.
And maybe for the few of us who have a compelling need that forces us onto the laptop (development, design, typing, etc) maybe this is less true. Because once you're on the laptop, the immediacy of the iPad is sot of cancelled out. But for the vast majority where the iPad offers an OK version of everything they need, it will take over.
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#7Ok but wait there are two points to consider here.
First off, Mundie said that he wasn't sure whether the big screen (12"+) tablet market would remain successful. That's a fair question as we're seeing a lot of other companies put their resources in the smaller 7"-9" screen market (Kindle, being the most popular if you consider it a tablet). Not sure I buy it, but with that statement he's not saying all tablets.
Secondly, I'm minded that everyone in the mainstream world thought that the NetBook was the next big thing - and that market has practically evaporated (in the Western World, at least). Same could happen to tablets, especially like NetBooks they don't actually replace an existing machine but instead try to create a new tier of need.
For Microsoft their biggest market is still enterprise and I'm yet to be convinced tablets have a massive value there given that we're seeing tablet usage orientate around content + information consumption not productivity.
Ultimately, however, I do think this is a foolish decision if it represents Microsoft's official position - they just cannot afford not to hedge their bets and have something in the tablet market even if they think the future is ultimately gloomy.
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#8Paul Thurrott said it best. It was a verbal comment on Windows Weekly so I don't have an exact quote, but it was something like: "If you're a senior exec at Apple, and you're looking at these bumbling boobs that are your competitors, you've got to be the happiest guy in the world." I look forward to the Microsoft Computer Room
The computer room is an interesting idea but I am not sure I want my kid running around in it at the same time as I am trying to use it. For that reason there will always be a home on my coffee table for the iPad ( or what ever tablet takes over the number 1 spot in the next few years )
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#9Interestingly, in the poll at the bottom of the article, 40% of 3800 people said they don't think tablets are here to stay. A lot higher than you would expect.
Personally I think they are here to stay, although I think their value is a bit exagerated. I used an iPad for a few weeks and I really liked it, but I didn't do anything I don't usually do on my smartphone. Doesn't mean I wouldn't buy one though...
Re: Tablets might be a flash in the pan: Microsoft global chief strategy officer
#10Ok but wait there are two points to consider here. First off, Mundie said that he wasn't sure whether the big screen (12"+) tablet market would remain successful. That's a fair question as we're seeing a lot of other companies put their resources in the smaller 7"-9" screen market (Kindle, being the most popular if you consider it a tablet). Not sure I buy it, but with that statement he's not saying all tablets. Seco…
Good points. I'm reminded of the palm pilot form factor. I used one for a while. Thought it was great. Then after about a year I stopped using it. I think a lot of people did that and therefore for a good two or three years it looked like the future of computing.
I read Daring Fireball a lot and one thing I think he gets wrong consistently (although he's not the only one) is pointing to the popularity of the iPad as proof that it's not just a fad. The problem is that some fads are quite popular. I think in the case of the iPad it probably isn't a fad but only time can determine that conclusively.
And you're right... even if it's not "The Official Future" you can make a ton of money selling them and Microsoft should be there. There's hype and then there are fads. You can sell a lot of Handspring Visors and Palm Pilot cases based on a fad.