“The holiday season hasn’t gone exactly as Microsoft had hoped,” Mike Ricciuti reports for CNET News.
“The much-anticipated Zune, Microsoft’s portable music player entry, has received mixed reviews, and demand has been tepid. Sure, Vista made its debut, finally, last week–but only for business customers. The Windows XP successor, more than five years in the making, didn’t make it into consumers’ hands for the all-important holiday sales season. Ditto for Office 2007, the flagship of the company’s second most-profitable product line,” Ricciuti reports.
Ricciuti reports, “CEO Steve Ballmer says he isn’t worried. Like Chairman Bill Gates, he says Zune will, over time, gain ground on Apple Computer’s iPod… Ballmer sat down with CNET News.com here to discuss life after Vista, battling the iPod, and the rising importance of mobile devices.”
Now that Vista work is more or less wrapped up–or will be soon–have resources been freed up within Microsoft (to work on things like Longhorn Server)? Ballmer: Well, we’re going to do a next version of Windows, and so one of the questions is whether we’re going to have the same number of people, fewer people, (or) whether we need more people. We’re going to have a very large team continuing to work on Windows innovation.
What happens when Apple produces a smart phone, which they probably will at some point? How does that change the equation? Ballmer: Well, their business model will look a lot more like the business model of the Trio and BlackBerry, than it does (that of) us and Nokia. Nokia is sort of having their cake and eating it, too, a little bit, with Symbian. Hey, in no business that we’re in, can we expect that other people aren’t going to enter and bring some creative ideas. We will see what Apple does.
The thing that is going to drive Apple, you know, people talk about the iPod halo. At some point, do you hope for a Zune halo effect that would help with Vista? Ballmer: Well, sure. I can’t say there is, yet. Eventually, there needs to be, will be. But we’ve got to get out and establish Zune. We think we have a great initial proposition, and we’re happy with the initial response. But we don’t fool ourselves. There’s a guy who’s got a lot of share, and we’re coming later in the day. Things boomed on the back of the iPod, so we have our work cut out.
Are you happy with the response to Zune so far? Ballmer: So far, so good. But we’re (in the) early stages.
Full article here.
Ballmer remains as delusional as ever; even more so, if that’s possible. The Zune is quickly becoming synonymous with “failure,” among other words that are not mentioned in polite company. This “Zune halo effect” business is a ridiculous as saying the Sony Bean (remember those?) will sell more Vaio laptops.
Zune has no halo. Zune leaves a stain.
Zune’s failure may in fact open a few more eyes that can see Microsoft for what it really is: a derivative company, a conniving dinosaur. Zune will help drive people to iPod and Mac OS X more than it will drive any Windows Vista adoption.
And, wow, that Ballmer can say the words “Windows innovation” with a straight face gives us the creeps.
Related articles:
Microsoft Zune plummets to 5th place in U.S. digital media player market share with 2.1 percent – December 04, 2006
Microsoft’s Zune incompatible with Windows Vista – November 14, 2006
InformationWeek: Now that Vista is the past, let’s look at the future: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard – December 02, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Office 2007 releases generate yawns – December 02, 2006
Dave Winer: ‘Microsoft isn’t an innovator, and never was – they are always playing catch-up’ – December 01, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista vulnerable to malware from 2004 – November 30, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista developers used Apple Macs for inspiration – November 27, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista is basically Microsoft’s version of Mac OS 9.3 – October 11, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista: If you can’t innovate… try to impersonate Apple’s Mac OS X – August 10, 2006
Ballmer: I’m Microsoft’s ‘primary champion of innovation’ – July 27, 2006
Microsoft botches another copy job: Windows Vista Flip3D vs. Apple Mac OS X Exposé – June 26, 2006
Windows Vista rips-off Mac OS X at great hardware cost (and Apple gains in the end) – June 13, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft going to get eaten alive over Windows Vista’s resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – March 09, 2006
NY Times’ Pogue on Gates’ CES demo: Most of Vista features unadulterated ripoffs from Apple Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Analyst: Windows Vista may still impress many consumers because they have not seen Apple’s Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Apple’s talent and innovation vs. Microsoft’s hype – October 25, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Vista strives to deliver what Apple’s Mac OS X already offers – October 10, 2005
Thurrott: many of Windows Vista’s upcoming features appeared first in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 26, 2005
Microsoft’s Ballmer: It’s true, some of Windows Vista’s features are ‘kissing cousins’ to Mac OS X – September 18, 2005
PC World: Microsoft innovation – an oxymoron – September 14, 2005
As usual, Apple leads, Microsoft tries to follow – June 02, 2005
eWEEK Editor Coursey: Longhorn so far ‘looks shockingly like a Macintosh’ – April 25, 2005
Due in late 2006, many of Windows Longhorn’s features have been in Mac OS X since 2001 – April 25, 2005
Microsoft’s new mantra: ‘It Just Works’ ripped straight from Apple’s ‘Switch’ campaign – April 22, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Microsoft’s Longhorn: ‘They are shamelessly copying us’ – April 21, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn will bear more than just a passing resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – April 15, 2005
Steve Jobs: Microsoft copied original Apple Mac with Windows 95, now they’re copying us again – February 08, 2005
Where Apple leads, Wintel follows years later – January 31, 2005
Novell CEO: ‘Microsoft sucked $60 billion out of IT industry that could have used for innovation’ – September 13, 2004
Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Mac OS X Tiger ‘is going to drive the copycats crazy – June 28, 2004
PC Magazine: Microsoft ‘Longhorn’ preview shows ‘an Apple look’ – May 06, 2004
Charles Arthur: Microsoft’s definition of ‘innovation’ different from everyone else’s – April 27, 2004
Windows ‘Longhorn’ to add translucent windows that ripple and shrink by 2005 – May 19, 2003
When I read the headline, I squirted.
The ‘wicked witch of the North’ is wearing a tie.
“Honey, what do I put on this ‘Zune Halo’ to wash it out of the kids’ underwear? Oxy?”
WakingUp–you are right on the money. I remember people making similar jokes about sexual harrassment in the late 80’s.
If I’ve read correctly, the windows EULA specifically states not to use it in a mission critical application. Eventually some enterprising team of lawyers is going to sieze upon that. The plaintiff cannot claim ignorance as a defense.
Mr. Reece:
“Ballmer’s thong”
Damn you for using those two words together sir. Damn you straight to hell.
Magic Word: behind
@ HeWhoIsNotUgly
Steve Ballmer is an inspiration to us ugly men everywhere. He’s a triple threat: Ugly on the outside, ugly to listen to and behaves in an ugly manner.
MDN, I ask you to ignore the request to remove his picture. We can’t help it if we fell off the ugly truck.
Long live Steve Ballmer.
“Once you get a taste of Zune, you’re gonna want more…”
Oooh! Zune Tang eats poop!
I just figured out why the new keyboards have iPod docks on them.
It sounds like a stupid idea, unless… you’re typing something on your iPod, not your computer.
Apple mobile coming your way.
If not, well, then it’s a lame idea.
Come on guys, Ballmer is clearly comparing Zune to the other great product that gave MS a halo effect; the Origami. Check out from Amazon how high that baby ranks (=0)
“Zune has no halo. Zune leaves a stain.”
Isn’t it delicious?
The Zune “Hell No!” Effect
Oh sorry Zune Tang. I didn’t mean to get you thinking. Did it hurt?
…”MDN’s spin on this was their typical “we hate Microsoft they’re rubbish” rant with, as usual, little thought. How old are the editors of this site? 13? 14?…”
Yeah, but….
we DO hate Microsoft.
They ARE rubbish.
So, what’s your point?
“He sounds as delusional as Bush saying we are winning the War on Iraq(TM)…”
It’s funny. If Cheney had the “big one” (or , a hunting accident), wouldn’t be cool if Ballmer could be VP?
It’s PERFECT! Ballmer (Monkey Boy) and Bush (The Chimp)
bushorchimp.com
I believe the Zune halo effect will happen. Users will be running to buy Macs and iPods after using one of those turds.
always Right is a socialist puss.
Socialist, huh?
Thanks Jim for the link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6198076.stm
It is ridiculous what he says, except when you consider that, really, his job is to provide the highest ROI for shareholders.
So, does he really believe what he says?
Given the context I have provided, maybe not!
And I still wonder.
HAS ANYONE YET SEEN OR HEARD OF AN ACTUAL ZUNE on the street?
Even just 1?
Vista Halo????
How can that be? The Zune doesn’t even work with Vista yet.
MDN word: latter as in we are in the latter days of M$ as a viable company with any sort of integrity
Zune Tang – LOL
Apple never created ANYTHING ?
Damned you’re funny
That man is such an monkey … Zuned by iTunes succes !
The Financial Times last week reported on the Zunes falling sales under the front page headline “Bad Nuze”. It certainly took more than two weeks for the iPod to become philologically productive.
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Ballmer: ‘Zune halo effect’ will help Windows Vista
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
OMFG. MS is wandering further into the giggle weeds every day.
We’re going to have a very large team continuing to work on Windows innovation
Ballmy,
1. Very large teams can NOT innovate. Crazy loners & a few good assistants do that.
2. How many death marches can any team (large or small) survive? Is the real New Windows coming this time?
3. “Windows innovation” is an oxymoron.
4. Between the lines, you’ve admitted failure in weaning MS from its aging Windows-Office cash cow. You’re like an oil company: you know your resources are finite & the day of reckoning is coming, but the money is good today so why worry.
Apple: It’s time to polish iWork and position it against Office. The timing is perfect, as MS throws itself into another Windows black hole.
Why does Ballmer insist on doing that thing with his tongue ?? It never fails to ruin whichever meal I ate most recently.
I love it. Just love it. Mac Daily News pushes their tired old “Microsoft is derivative” schlock.
From a current iPod AND Zune owner, I can safely say that the Zune is the better overall player.
And as long as MDN is labeling the Zune as a failure, why don’t we go ahead and label MDN as a failure? Poor reporting, plainly stupid rhetoric, and ignorance does not a news site make. Actually, it makes the kid who runs this site look a fool.
MDN = OMGZZ11!!11! APPLE RULEZZZZ!
…why don’t we go ahead and label MDN as a failure?
Because we’d be wrong. It’s a busy, profitable website, thanks in part to you.
he wishes…