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The Next Microsoft

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Re: The Next Microsoft

#281

Post by alexirobbins »

nhashem wrote: post #95

We could debate whether this would "work" on a practical level as if this was a Powerpoint presentation for Steve Ballmer and we're supposed to predict how he'd react. But I'm really just finding myself appreciating the "space/science fiction" metaphor for technology. Steve Jobs has often quoted Apple as "advancing the human race." I feel like this takes it to the next level. I felt myself wanting this company to exi…

The "slate" logo is okay. The promise of delivering the future is brilliant. I had the same exact reaction to it - there needs to be a multi-billion dollar company devoted to this philosophy! I think microsoft is in a unique position to become this company - they suck right now and they have the resources. I also think Ballmer probably will see this. I bet he'll see it and he'll like it, but worry that it's too big of a shift.

I don't know what they're working on internally, but if I were in his shoes, I'd go for it. Bundle the phone with the laptop and do whatever it takes to allow tethering at no extra fee. That's not going far enough. Create an ecosystem with clear direction that upsets the market, under the banner of delivering the future of science fiction.

I'm a mac, and I want to be excited to buy microsoft.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#282

Post by cdf »

alexirobbins wrote: post #281
nhashem wrote: post #95

We could debate whether this would "work" on a practical level as if this was a Powerpoint presentation for Steve Ballmer and we're supposed to predict how he'd react. But I'm really just finding myself appreciating the "space/science fiction" metaphor for technology. Steve Jobs has often quoted Apple as "advancing the human race." I feel like this takes it to the next level. I felt myself wanting this company to exi…

The "slate" logo is okay. The promise of delivering the future is brilliant. I had the same exact reaction to it - there needs to be a multi-billion dollar company devoted to this philosophy! I think microsoft is in a unique position to become this company - they suck right now and they have the resources. I also think Ballmer probably will see this. I bet he'll see it and he'll like it, but worry that it's too big o…

Bundle? One reason why microsoft is so hamstrung in the last ten years is because of that word. That, and "anti-trust".

Apple has been behaving well enough not to be on anti-trust watch, and that gives the company so much more freedom to innovate.

And I say that as a penguin.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#284

Post by cdf »

wilfra wrote: post #259
jsprink_banned wrote: post #247

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although jsprinkles got slowbanned and hellbanned (still unsure why but cannot be bothered; more on that later), I had to create another account just to respond to this. This comment encapsulates, in amazingly succinct fashion, everything that is wrong with Hacker News and the people that participate in this community. I can translate "[n]early everybody who matters" in this context, and it means a subset of Silicon…

Startups create the future, not companies like IBM. In the context of my comment, people in the orbit of world-changing startups are the ones that matter. You make some interesting points though. Good post.

I am obviously biased, but I am terrified, TERRIFIED, if a company with Microsoft's history has a say in delivering the future.

I dont want that future.

Microsoft has a very very long way to rehabilitate their image for their long history of bad behaviour.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#286

Post by alexirobbins »

cdf wrote: post #282
alexirobbins wrote: post #281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The "slate" logo is okay. The promise of delivering the future is brilliant. I had the same exact reaction to it - there needs to be a multi-billion dollar company devoted to this philosophy! I think microsoft is in a unique position to become this company - they suck right now and they have the resources. I also think Ballmer probably will see this. I bet he'll see it and he'll like it, but worry that it's too big o…

Bundle? One reason why microsoft is so hamstrung in the last ten years is because of that word. That, and "anti-trust". Apple has been behaving well enough not to be on anti-trust watch, and that gives the company so much more freedom to innovate. And I say that as a penguin.

Point taken, bad idea. But they would need to back up a rebranding with new and innovative products that demonstrate vision. I shouldn't pretend to know what those products should be, or how they should be sold.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#288

Post by Ewoks4life »

blhack wrote: post #73

Dear everybody, Are you paying attention? This is how you build a portfolio. Did microsoft ask this person to do this? No. But he did it, and it's brilliant, and now he can put it in his portfolio under "speculative work". And then he gets a job doing this. I can't tell you how many people I talk to (I live in a college town, and frequently go to bars and strike up conversations with people) who just finished, or are…

Yeah, but it's pretentious as hell and is impractical.

Re: The Next Microsoft

#289

Post by abrahamsen »

mkr-hn wrote: post #142
bluthru wrote: post #27

"Purely digital." There is no such thing. That's like saying "purely hologram". Pixels have no inherent materiality. There is nothing about the Metro UI that couldn't be recreated on a piece of paper. The goal is visual communication and delight. Sterile for the sake of sterile isn't virtuous.

"Purely digital" means it avoids real-world metaphors like postal mailboxes, analog clocks and magnetic tape.

I did notice that the proposed "Purely Digital" interface included icons representing an old style phone handle (which younger customers probably haven't seen), a physical letter (increasingly rare), and a paper wall calendar.
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