“Fujitsu Ltd., Japan’s biggest provider of computer services, said the company will miss its annual shipment target for personal computers amid slow demand for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 8 operating system,” Naoko Fujimura and Shunichi Ozasa report for Bloomberg. “Initial appetite for the software, introduced in October, is ‘weak,’ Fujitsu President Masami Yamamoto, 58, told reporters in Tokyo yesterday. Slumping demand in Europe amid the sovereign-debt crisis will also erode sales, he said.”
Fujimura and Ozasa report, “U.S. retail sales of devices running Windows fell 21 percent from a year earlier in the four weeks after Microsoft released Windows 8 on Oct. 26, according to a Nov. 29 report by Port Washington, New York-based NPD Group Inc. The decrease has been fueled by a 24 percent drop in sales of notebook computers as customers opt for Apple Inc.’s iPad… Microsoft plans to overhaul how it develops its flagship Windows operating system in a strategic shift aimed at keeping pace with nimbler rivals Apple and Google, people familiar with the matter said last month.”
Fujimura and Ozasa report, “Microsoft aims to upgrade the software more frequently, about once a year, rather than every two or three years as it’s done in the past, the people said. The world’s largest software maker has floundered as personal computers, where it has long dominated, have lost ground to the smartphones and tablets championed by Apple and Google.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We love the smell of fear in the morning.
As we have always said, even as many short-sightedly waved (and continue to wave) the white flag, the war is not over. And, yes, we shall prevail… No company is invincible. Not even Microsoft. – MacDailyNews Take, January 10, 2005
Beleaguered Microsoft.
The big dumb monkey never saw it coming:
Stay comatose, Microsoft shareholders.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reades “Fred Mertz” and “Frans H.” for the heads up.]
Bill G will be back. iCal it.
Bring it! Bill’s only advantage is that he’s proven to be better at aping other companies and their products. Microsoft’s DNA has always been “copy Apple” and Balmer can’t even do that right.
He won’t touch MS with a ten foot pole.
Why should he?
He has nothing to gain, and everything to loose.
Exactly. If Bill came back and failed to bring Microsloth to glory, everyone would compare that big fat FAIL to Steve Jobs brilliant second coming success. And I’m sure Bill knows that, and will be very hesitant to return.
The day of the desktop is done & now the laptop is going back to lower numbers and Fujitsu is just confirming it.
Many of the world’s “connected” will just stick with iPad’s.
As Ballmer says… “It will do…… It will do… !!” Not great, not wonderful, just it will do. Nuff said.
“We are driving innovation hard…. we killed the Kin 1 and Kin 2, we killed the Zune, we killed plays-for-sure.” Just watch our smoke!!!
Just a holiday thought.
en
You cracked me up!
What you said is so true.
MS – requiem for a (past) heavyweight.
A requiem is always for somebody (something) that has passed (past).
“Microsoft aims to upgrade the software more frequently, about once a year, rather than every two or three years as it’s done in the past”
But we already have a flu season once a year!
The 2 to 3 year cycle was the amount of time needed to hammer out the defects in the new versions. So releasing one every year must mean that the service packs are now going to be called new versions.
P.S.
It may be time for me to find a new name.
Nomoremsbs ( No More Microsoft Bullshit )
Ding dong the witch is dead!
Why would Bill come back? He never cared and “cares” more about helping developing nations. They need new fresh blood if they are to survive which I hope they do, we need many battle fronts to take down the true evil in the world (Google).
Bring on Marissa and the big red ball.
The solution is easy:
Identify these culprits:
> the person who made the decision to remove the start button – sure it’s an anachronism, but it could have been retained for at least one generation to give continuity and let people get used to the Start Screen. I would have used the Start button to reveal the new Start Menu – and then in Win9 get rid of the Start button. i.e. take 2 iterations to transition. But, no, the forced people to dive in at the deep end.
– the person who decided not to have any visual symbols to indicate the presence of the charms bar.
– the person who decided to have the shutdown button hidden away, several clicks away.
You know, if the above simple things had been added in Windows 8, sure it might not have looked so elegant, but you’d have avoided much of the criticism and confusion. I would have aimed to use Win8 and Win9 to transition people to the new paradigm, rather than in one hit.
Round up the culprits, “string em up” (not literally), and then bring in Scot Forstall. Give him a platform to wreak REVENGE on Apple.
Seriously, the above will work.
Better yet, in order to avoid any confusion, on Windows 8, Microsoft should have identified it as Windows 8 “BETA”- beneficial with other companies.
You can always pull the plug to shut that piece of rubbish down. 0 clicks needed.
haha just pull the plug straight from the wall and bring back to Best Buy before January 1st and buy an iPad to start the year off fresh.
A note to MacDailyNews:
Guys, you need to get with the times. Microsoft has lost, already. Their main desktop OS is down 20%. Their mobile phone platform is dead, and their expected challenger in the tablet market is also crippled.
You remember that scene in Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” where, even after he’s killed the English soldier, he keeps hacking at the corpse until he’s covered in red blood? That’s what MDN is like. The message of “until it takes” is stale. Get it? If you can’t see that, you’re as big buffoons as the monkey you’ve been parodying. You need to realise that, eventually, the empire will crumble, and you need to move with the times.
We are now shifting into a phase where we Apple fans realise that we need Microsoft. If Microsoft is totally destroyed, Apple becomes the new Microsoft — and you realise that the 2nd evil empire is going to be far worse than the 1st evil empire. It was like the Baltic states rejoicing when Hitler’s forces were defeated, only to discover that the invading Soviets were just as deadly.
Can you imagine a world where Apple takes 90% marketshare. You guys have been mimicking Steve Ballmer’s monkeying that you cannot see how hideous Apple would be if it had 90% share. Imagine a hardware company like Apple having 90% share.
You’d be like the people in the Baltics after WW2, cheering the demise of the Nazis, not realising the Soviets were coming. The sad thing is, I don’t think you can see that at all. Not one blimp on your screen. You guys are incapable of seeing that scenario at all – how bad it could get if Microsoft falls and Apple takes over as the 2nd evil empire. When that happens, who’ll give it competition? You better hope Google stays strong.
It is quite likely that the “as long as it takes” message has a useby date of about 7 years, and you guys need to transition to the new world. Otherwise you’re no better than the monkey you’re making fun of. Seriously. Consider that. I actually pity the MDN people – you’re a one-track, one-trick …. monkey. All these years of jeering at Balmer has inadvertently made you like him, I’m sorry to say.
What a bunch of f#*king nonsense. Microsoft has no more lost than IBM has. That’s the longest post of pure crap I’ve read from a poster on this site in a long time. I certainly don’t realize that I need Microsoft. I wish they’d die and get over it, but that’s really not going to happen, even if Ballmer T. stays around for the next 15 years. They can live on their remaining Windows licensees and Office franchise for as long as it takes to come up with some other way of filling the coffers. And even if Apple picks up 20% of the remaining Windows market, that still leaves a huge pool of Microsoft harpies. And believe me, they’re out there.
MM,
Where did MDN write “until it takes” or “as long as it takes” above?
In case you’re still confused, I’ll give you the answer: Nowhere.
Your criticism of something that does not exist but in your own mind should be taken as a clear signal that you need professional mental help.
If you’re around this site a lot, it’s the main theme. Hang around.
It’s your main theme, and yours alone, schizo.
Hey bud, all you have to do is review previous posts by MacDailyNews in the boxes where they add their critique. It is a common theme where MDN wants Balmer to remain as CEO as long as it takes, the inference being that they want Balmer in charge as long as it takes to sink Microsoft.
You think you’ve written a crushing insult to me, but people that read this website regularly recognise the “as long as it takes” MDN message. So do some catch-up reading on past MDN articles as homework, ok, kid?
“A note to MacDailyNews: Guys, you need to get with the times. Microsoft has lost, already.”
Which part of “The big dumb monkey never saw it coming” didn’t you understand, nutjob?
Fred, where have you been? I’ve missed you.
So has Ethel.
“MM.” The latest entry into the “major idiot” column of my spreadsheet of MDN readers.
WTF would MDN need to “get with the times” when they’ve consistently been ahead of the times, often by years, you simpering, deluded moron?
What does MM stand for?
(a) Mickey Mouse
(b) Masturbating Moron
(c) Microsoft Minion
(d) all of the above
I can’t go along with the attack on MDN here, but I believe there is a grain of wisdom when it comes to the point about needed competition.
Already we’ve seen the arrogance of Final Cut Pro X, which has driven too many professionals to the fortunately still available competition.
And the attitude of… “You will take our shiny glass and aluminum slabs, and love them. Your needed port gone, you like to change out internal memory, storage, and batteries… you need a matte screen?… then you are stupid and archaic.”
This is stuff happening now. Think about your choices if Apple owned the market.
For the most part I love Apple. It’s the only brand computer I’ve purchased since 1981. But I’m not one of the Kool Aide drinkers. I don’t believe Apple is perfect (cough…”Maps”). Competition is good for everyone.
Final Cut Pro X is, I hope, a good learning experience for Apple. One that provides them with a valuable lesson to refer back to when moving forward with more important product lines.
FCP X was a total disaster. It wasn’t the product necessarily, but the way they did it. If it had replaced FCP Express, then evolved along side FCP until it earned its user base, they could have done it. Instead, we have a very uncertain future. The possible loss of a flagship (in its field) product.
Let’s try to keep current and not echo tired FUD:
PC Magazine reviews Apple’s Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3: Editors’ Choice for high-end video editing
There’s a big difference between a review in an ad supported publication and the stated opinions of those editors who actually make their living with FCP. Despite the improvements made by the updates, these pros still derisively refer to Final Cut Pro X as “iMovie ’12.”
And no one is saying FCP X is a bad product. It would have made a fine iMovie Pro, or Final Cut Express.
However, to those of us that had been with FCP since version 1, it was a knife in the back… and it still hurts.
No one is perfect. No one company will make everyone happy all the time because some people you can never please or some people cannot change with the times. It is human nature, not the device.
Exactly how big is that “blimp” on the screen? It must be huge to cover your inanity. (By the way…the word is “blip.”)
“Guys, you need to get with the times. Microsoft has lost, already. Their main desktop OS is down 20%. Their mobile phone platform is dead, and their expected challenger in the tablet market is also crippled.”
Agreed.
“You remember that scene in Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” where, even after he’s killed the English soldier, he keeps hacking at the corpse until he’s covered in red blood? That’s what MDN is like. The message of “until it takes” is stale. Get it? If you can’t see that, you’re as big buffoons as the monkey you’ve been parodying. You need to realize that, eventually, the empire will crumble, and you need to move with the times.”
The key word here is “eventually”. It’s not done yet.
“We are now shifting into a phase where we Apple fans realise that we need Microsoft. If Microsoft is totally destroyed, Apple becomes the new Microsoft — and you realise that the 2nd evil empire is going to be far worse than the 1st evil empire. It was like the Baltic states rejoicing when Hitler’s forces were defeated, only to discover that the invading Soviets were just as deadly.”
Compare Apple to their competition (Microsoft & Google) to see the awkwardness your statement. Apple’s business model is the most consumer-friendly at the moment.
“Can you imagine a world where Apple takes 90% marketshare. You guys have been mimicking Steve Ballmer’s monkeying that you cannot see how hideous Apple would be if it had 90% share. Imagine a hardware company like Apple having 90% share.”
You mean, 90% of new computer users being productive and happy?!!? The horror!
“You’d be like the people in the Baltics after WW2, cheering the demise of the Nazis, not realising the Soviets were coming. The sad thing is, I don’t think you can see that at all. Not one blimp on your screen. You guys are incapable of seeing that scenario at all – how bad it could get if Microsoft falls and Apple takes over as the 2nd evil empire. When that happens, who’ll give it competition? You better hope Google stays strong.”
I love how you tag Apple as “evil” with Google mentioned at the same time as our savior. That’s pretty demented.
“It is quite likely that the “as long as it takes” message has a useby date of about 7 years, and you guys need to transition to the new world. Otherwise you’re no better than the monkey you’re making fun of. Seriously. Consider that. I actually pity the MDN people – you’re a one-track, one-trick …. monkey. All these years of jeering at Balmer has inadvertently made you like him, I’m sorry to say.”
Competition is good when it is competitive, MM. That is where your statements make a terribly painful faceplant. There isn’t good competition when all it is is a blatant ripoff Apple’s iOS (such as Google’s Android), or a terribly not well thought out ghastly-looking operating system (such as Microsoft’s Windows 8). I agree that competition is good when it’s actually available, but I don’t see any at the moment.
MM: “Microsoft has lost, already.”
No they haven’t. They still have over 90% of all personal (and business) computers in the world. I for one won’t be satisfied until they are hacked to pieces, even if I get blood splattered all over me. It would be satisfying to see them wink out of existence as they have done to so many of their past competitors.
Seriously though, I really wouldn’t like to see so many people lose their jobs. Well, except for the Microsoft pundits who have denigrated the Mac for so many years. They can eat cake.
I love MDN, read it daily, and enjoy the MDN humorous “takes”. However, I agree we much of the sentiment shared by MM and have had many of those thoughts. MM put my thoughts into words better than I could have. I love Apple products and use them exclusively, however, I fear Apple becoming the next Microsoft. As the saying goes: “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely” . Monopoly and power corrupted Microsoft and Google. It will corrupt Apple too.
Windows 8 + Surface. A double-tap to your partners’ heads. Thanks, Microsoft.
Signed,
PC Manufacturers
LoL so true! There is going to be a lot of humble pie for the once Big Headed Arrogant smucks profiting from windows laptop and desktop sales the last 20 years.
Hope Michael Dell enjoys the pain the most.
He has a point. Competition is good. The iPod reigns supreme, so what does Apple do? Ax Cover Flow from iTunes 11 and make the functionality much less with fewer views and search options. Bad, very very bad.
I never tire of watching that video. Ballmer’s clueless factor is boundless. Most people at least recognize their shortcomings, this man has himself totally convinced he’s innovative and successful as is. Wow.
However, here I quote Billy Joel because we “love you just the way you are.” Don’t go changin’ Ballmy, you’re Apple’s greatest asset.