We all saw
Bill Gates sell something no one was buying, and
Steve Jobs selling many things people really want in their respective keynotes this week. I am always the kind of person trying to find the meaning in it all. So, what do you think? I think Microsoft is putting out some decent software (Vista, Office, etc) but I think they have largely missed the boat on the digital lifestyle. Apple has that covered. I played with a Zune for the first time over the weekend, and I was actually quite impressed with the interface. Microsoft has done a great job of competing with the iPod, and by this I mean from a strictly device capabilities and functionality standpoint. Zune is just taking off, and the iPod has been around a while so you really can't compare sales numbers...yet. What about these "connected experiences" Microsoft is touting big time? I beg to differ, but I have been having connected experiences for ages now, and to me it seems that Microsoft is pushing old products in new wrappers. I remember the same speech about XP, it will do this better, it will do that better...yeah, but where is the new, cool, blow-me-away innovation? I didn't see it. Until I watched Jobs' keynote. Apple TV? Sign me up, good price, good features, works with PC or Mac, wirelessly anywhere in your house. Can you say "living room killer app." Also, despite Cingular's exclusive, required 2 year contract, and EDGE, the iPhone is also one of the best, most user-centered, all-in-one functional devices ever. It is dead sexy. Tell me, what has Microsoft come up with in this vein, something to create a huge demand or something to blow away the PC world? Sure, there is the XBOX 360 for gaming, but what in the computer space? I don't see the drive, the innovation, the passion for customers needs and fixing problems. I must say I was expecting a bit more from Microsoft. Is it enough that Microsoft only delivers a bit of eye-candy as the best innovation in a new product? I know they have the mindtrust to generate great new stuff, so why is it that Microsoft doesn't try to win anymore? Are they always behind the eight ball, or is this just my imagination? Also, what did you think of Apple's new stuff?
Tags: 2007, apple, Apple tv, AppleTv, CES, hardware, iPhone, MacWorld, Microsoft, news, Office, osupdates, Vista
Facebook Plunges Again
Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Comments
36
Subscribe to commentsAndyJan 12th 2007 3:38AM
'they're the same people who would gladly fork over $149 to Apple each year for -- as you said it -- essentially a service pack and a few Power Toys.'
Isn't Vista just a major update from XP? The only innovating thing about Vista would have been the new file system and ... they canceled it! They could not get it done in time, so what it Vista more then a major update with some eye candy and new power toys? So you had to wait like what, almost 6yrs and your major update will cost you $500!
CaramelzappaJan 12th 2007 3:48AM
Media center extender of all sorts have been out for years, the xbox 360 being one of the best currently. Apple TV is nothing new.
LG showed the world a phone almost exactly like the iphone a few months ago, but because it's not an apple product no one cared.
Microsoft is not going to copy apples iphone, though they will make a competing device. They've been planning on it since before the Zune was even announced, it's part of their plan as well as a game playing Zune.
Jobs has no innovation, just good marketing skills.
"Also, despite Cingular's exclusive, required 2 year contract, and EDGE, the iPhone is also one of the best, most user-centered, all-in-one functional devices ever"
So basically you're saying, despite the fact that in order to obtain this shiny, fingerprint covered proprietary "smart" phone, you're willing to take old technology, and take cingulars crappy plan up your ass and leave it in there for two years? Wake up people.
The iphone has the same functionality as a sidekick with a nano glued to the back of it. Maybe less since the sidekick has a keyboard, and the nano has acceptable battery life.
CaramelzappaJan 12th 2007 3:49AM
Media center extender of all sorts have been out for years, the xbox 360 being one of the best currently. Apple TV is nothing new.
LG showed the world a phone almost exactly like the iphone a few months ago, but because it's not an apple product no one cared.
Microsoft is not going to copy apples iphone, though they will make a competing device. They've been planning on it since before the Zune was even announced, it's part of their plan as well as a game playing Zune.
Jobs has no innovation, just good marketing skills.
"Also, despite Cingular's exclusive, required 2 year contract, and EDGE, the iPhone is also one of the best, most user-centered, all-in-one functional devices ever"
So basically you're saying, despite the fact that in order to obtain this shiny, fingerprint covered proprietary "smart" phone, you're willing to take old technology, and take cingulars crappy plan up your ass and leave it in there for two years? Wake up people.
The iphone has the same functionality as a sidekick with a nano glued to the back of it. Maybe less since the sidekick has a keyboard, and the nano has acceptable battery life.
James ColeJan 12th 2007 4:29AM
The Apple TV is not an innovation! I've been streaming TV, music and photographs to a modded XBox for four years!
Here's what Apple do better then Microsoft: marketing.
(I adore my iPod and will be buying a mac laptop soon, but that's beside the point, this post is too effusive.)
paulJan 12th 2007 4:44AM
it seems in Italy they make their own keynote... check this out!!
http://casapiddu.wordpress.com/2007/01/11/our-steve-jobs-iphone-keynote/
ericJan 12th 2007 7:56AM
100% agree with Chandan Nayak.
Jobs is like a evangelist gourou.
EVERYONE MUST love him or shut up.
MattJan 12th 2007 8:11AM
I completely agree with T Man. Everyone talking about "innovation" really must remember that Microsoft has been in the mobile OS business for quite some time now. What do you think drove Apple into the phone realm in the first place? Take a step back everyone, and look at a good number of the new "hot" phones being released. What OS are they running? Microsoft's success in this area is pretty obvious, and THAT is why Apple is playing catch up, and copying Microsoft, albeit with an OS that looks very different and more attractive. Is the OS as practical and versatile though? That is still in question.
rbl00Jan 12th 2007 9:09AM
Wow, I never knew there were so many Apple haters here at download squad.
Now, the XBox 360 may be a lot of what the new Apple TV is supposed to do but at a more expensive price, plus the statement that the UI is better is greatly up for argument. Plus the Apple TV will work with both Mac and Windows, show me an XBox that works with a Mac. Not to mention how you have to buy all the extras for the xBox that the Apple TV will come with built in (wifi, hard drive, remote). The only thing the xBox has that the Apple TV will not is a built in DVD drive. But who needs it when you have one in any computer around that you can connect to (windows or Mac).
As for the iPod, yes, when it first came out there were lots of problems and iTunes has it's share of problems, as does EVERY piece of software that Microsoft puts out. But come on, I have an iPod, almost all of my friends and co-wokers have iPods and no one complains about having to reset them or and bugs with iTunes either.
The iPhone looks like it will be a fantastic devise, but I for one need to see and feel it for my self before I pass judgment. The only thing I can really comment on right now is the cell service for it. I was really hoping for an Open phone so I can choose my provider. Cigular has crappy coverage, or at least it used to I hope it has gotten better. And there plan for a 2 year agreement and make you get a Voice AND data plan is a huge problem. The iPhone has WiFi why are they forcing you to get a data plan as well.
I am not a Microsoft hater or a Mac Zombie, I like both products but you guys are just being ridiculous with the Apple Bashing.
IvanJan 12th 2007 9:30AM
The Apple TV device is less than innovative and looks like a router. The (Apple) iPhone while very sexy isn't a revolutionary phone. As a corporate user, I couldn't even think about switching to the iPhone because of the lack of support for Exchange Server not to mention I can't even fathom typing on something with no tactile feedback. With that said, I'm going to stick to my T-Mobile Dash (powered by Windows Mobile Smartphone) and enjoy my access to my corporate account, wi-fi, 3g access, full keyboard and ability to install any software I want. And what's even better, I don't have to wait for the next generation of "Dash" to come out when I want a new phone, I can shop from the numerous manufacturers that make phones running Windows Mobile. Unlike the (Apple) iPhone. Apple maybe able to get away with only one option for an iPod but they better start opening up if they want to play in the smartphone market.
ehlohimJan 12th 2007 8:14PM
You know I love this site and usually do not post, but I found this article to be so ridiculous that I had to comment. Let’s start with the XP speech. XP did do this better and did do that better it was a significant improvement to windows 2000 or 98. Guess what Vista does this & that even better than XP does. Is ground breaking? Awe inspiring ? No. But it’s better. You don’t spend 5 years in development to not make improvements. Now on to the connected experience. I have a PC in my living room (Xbox 360) and it rocks, I have a pc in my pocket (Cingular 8525) and I couldn’t live without it. I literally have access to my data and media (even live TV) anywhere at any time and no this not something that you have been able to do for years and yes MS is making easier to do every year. Apple TV? Are you kidding me, buy a 360, or one of the hundreds of other media extenders or networked media players already in existence. If Apple TV cost more than 50 bucks you can count me out. Now that iPhone is pretty, LG Chocolate Touch pretty, but pretty none the less. The problem is that every day my Cingular 8125 can do more and more things through the miracle of 3rd party software and a robust development platform. The iPhone can make call browse the internet and send media (Woot) 2 years from now it will still make call browse the internet and send media. Lastly, You can’t criticize Microsoft for not being innovative in the computer space after you just sited apple for being innovative with a phone and a living room media player both of which MS has had for years. Especially not in a year where Bill has just released 2 brand new OS’s (Vista and Home Server) and Job’s didn’t say the world computer once in his entire keynote.
IvanJan 12th 2007 9:30AM
Oh yeah, here's my living room killer app ... its called a Media Center PC. Who needs an Apple TV. And honestly, calling it that sends chills up my spine. As if it does anything special with TV. If you want to send signals from one room to another, try a leapfrog. Been there for years.
AlexJan 13th 2007 12:55AM
The IPhone camera is incredibly poor. You'd expect more for something $600.
Microsoft are just a plodding giant now like IBM. Nothing innovative but they'll still keep making lots of cash.
azz0rJan 14th 2007 4:22PM
LOL what a fanboy.
Gates keynotes might not have had any exciting announcements, but it certainly wasn't as full of poor devices and blatant lies.
The iPhone is old tech in reality, there are far better devices out there with more established hardware.
Apples "Media centre" is a poor mans version of Microsoft's. Microsoft absolutely flattens Apple in this department.
This article is rubbish.
Roger SmithJan 17th 2007 3:40AM
iPhone is available with Cingular ONLY!? And what if I am stuck under contract with a carrier OTHER than Cingular but still want a iPhone?
Well, the only solution I could fine was http://www.Cellswapper.com - they get you out of any cell phone contract!
Roger SmithJan 17th 2007 4:52AM
iPhone is available with Cingular ONLY!? And what if I am stuck under contract with a carrier OTHER than Cingular but still want a iPhone?
Well, the only solution I could fine was http://www.Cellswapper.com - they get you out of any cell phone contract!
iPodmanTimJan 24th 2007 2:54PM
I have to say, get your history right guys. "If it weren't for Gates there would be no Jobs"?! Ok, so Microsoft bailed out Apple with a cash injection in 1997 when Jobs came back, as the nicely named iCEO, but if you've seen Pirates Of Sillicon Valley, a documentary-movie about the times when Gates and Jobs were colleagues, you'll know that Gates actually stole from Apple. I like OS X, I like that I can just install software with nothing more than a drag and drop from a zip file. I like the interface. I like that I was able to drag and drop all 10GB of World of Warcraft from my Applications folder straight over to my external hard drive, and it worked without a glitch. No registry means no hastle application hosting. I like that. Now the AppleTV. That's a nice piece of kit, I mean, 40GB hard drive, wireless networking, HDMI output, it even has chips manufactured by Intel. I think that's pretty funky. I wouldn't get one. Purely because I'm a student at university, and don't have a TV to hook one upto! But Apple FrontRow works just great for me! :)
iPhone...what can I say...I'm really excited avout that. It brings together everything that I take around in my pocket and gives it me in one really sleek case. It just works. I like that. And for those who worry about data bills from constant updating. One word...Wi-Fi. ;)