“Apple Computer Inc. faces some tough hurdles if it decides to roll out a mobile phone built around its popular iPod music player, Microsoft Corp.’s entertainment chief said on Monday,” Daisuke Wakabayashi reports for Reuters.
Wakabayashi reports, “Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, said it too is considering a mobile phone integrated with its Zune digital music player, but launching such a device is not at top of its priority list.”
MacDailyNews Take: It’s not at top of Microsoft’s “Me-Too” priority list because they can’t even get the digital music player part right after half a decade of trying — first with the “too many cooks in the kitchen” so-called “partnership” route and recently with the ill-fated Zune.
Wakabayashi continues, “Analysts have said Apple may sell the phone with its own branded cell phone service via an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, under which Apple leases excess capacity from other carriers… ‘The latest rumor we hear is that it is going to be a MVNO phone and there hasn’t been a lot of successes in that MVNO space for a lot of different reasons,’ said Bach, who oversees the Zune business and Microsoft’s video game division.”
Wakabayashi reports, “Bach said MVNO phones often have difficult relationships with the mobile operators. One of the few successful MVNOs in the United States so far is Virgin Mobile. ‘Historically, working with partners hasn’t been a strong point for Apple, so maybe it will find a way to work around those relationships,’ he said.”
Wakabayashi reports, “Putting together a phone with a media player raises many design questions, including how to manage various inputs, the optimal screen size and battery life, Bach said. ‘You have to find out what it’s great at. Is it great as a phone or is it great as music player? If it’s great as a music player, then it’s just another iPod trying to be a phone,’ said Bach.”
Full article here.
No, Robbie, it’s not “just another iPod,” it’s The iPod. You know, the one that you can’t figure out how to copy successfully? The one that utterly dominates the market? A person in Bach’s position should understand the power of the Apple brand, but, clearly, with his questioning of a potential Apple MVNO, he doesn’t get it. And his line, “historically, working with partners hasn’t been a strong point for Apple,” is straight out of Microsoft’s talking points memo as evidenced by Microsoft sycophant Rob Enderle’s frequent use of nearly the same line, for some examples:
• “Apple historically has not been a good partner…“
• “Apple also has a reputation for being one of the nastiest partners around.“
• “Apple partners very poorly.“
Nobody in their right mind gives a zune what Robbie Bach thinks about the possibility of an Apple iPod phone.
Come on, he’s a grown man who calls himself Robbie. Let’s cut him some slack.
MDN: “hes”… Eerie.
I’m a total gomer. I can’t sleep a wink.
-c
MW: ‘surface’ (beauty isn’t everything, it just gets you free drinks)
Apple’s partnership with Intel seems to be doing well, isn’t it? Whether it’s Google or the new (again) AT&T, formerly Cingular, I can’t wait to see who Apple partners with next. But I must, cuz I gotta sleep!
Microsoft certainly knows how to “work” with partners; it coerces, crushes or abandons them. Maybe “work over” is more apt.
Microsoft pours money on to “push” products.
They purchase and repackage others’ work and claim it as “innovation”.
Apple products have historically succeeded because of superior and successful DESIGN. Apple pushes the envelope on every level and sets standards while doing so.. The entire tech industry waits to see what Apple does before adopting or copying.
Unlike Apple, there is no joy in Microsoft the company, or in their products. That’s the difference.
MDN: “Nobody in their right mind gives a zune what Robbie Bach thinks about the possibility of an Apple iPod phone.”
And yet MDN posts it here for us to read. What must they think of us?
Boooo to MDN insulting their readers.
Yaaaay to a product launch at Macworld that is NOT as “exciting” as the iPod Hi-fi. Don’t think I could take another product as world-changing as an obscenely overpriced pair of no-separation stereo speakers.
Fsckwitted hypocrite! As if Micro$cum are any good at “working with” the partners they screw over. Actually – as if Micro$lut are any good at ANYthing legal, ethical or technical!
I love it when these MS jerks start analyzing anything that Apple has done, is doing, or might do. They’re all such friggin’ experts on these matters, but it’s strange that that company makes some of the crappiest products one could possibly imagine.
“Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, said it too is considering a mobile phone integrated with its Zune digital music player, but launching such a device is not at top of its priority list.”
That is until we get Apple’s latest device and have enough time to try to copy it properly…
How can this guy have the nerve to offer his 2 cents when he can’t even get his Z*** together? baffling…
10hrs to go…
Welcome to teh social.
I really hope Apple falls on their face on this one. Like we did with the Zune. And with the whole “Plays for sure thing.” It was really humbling. I state this with all sincerity. Apple needs to get over feeling so superior to everybody else. Just because they make a better product with the customer experience superior to all the other considerations – like MSFT stock price – doesn’t mean they can go and enter another market we hope to take over (once we’ve had a chance to see what Apple is doing…) Anyway, I digress. Apple needs some humility for their spiritual betterment. They should be using their prominence to help others, not just reigning supreme. Like licensing AAC. We could help them with that. From my perspective, that would be a good thing.
I wonder if he means it will be tougher than his experience with Zune?
Typical Microsoft thinking: just because they made a complete hash of it with those excreble WINCE devices, they imagine that nobody else can succeed where they failed.
-jcr
Robbie Bach talking about how APPLE doesn’t play well with others… OMG that is rich indeed. (In case the obvious needs to be stated, he’s the catalyst for MS’ strategy of abandoning all partners and competing with them instead… both xbox and zune!)
It’s the old strategy of repeating the big lie over and over again until it gets believed. And the big lie ISN’T that Apple doesn’t partner well… the big lie is the implication that MS does.
Funny too how the Apple bashing analysts are ALWAYS the same usual suspects.
I can’t believe a high-level executive from Microsoft can say the “Apple doesn’t partner well” line with a straight face. It wasn’t Apple who zuned all of its Plays-For-Sure “partners.”
“… it too is considering a mobile phone integrated with its Zune digital music player, but launching such a device is not at top of its priority list.”
That’s because Apple hasn’t released its device yet, or demonstrated how to operate a successful wireless service that’s NOT oriented on being a phone service, so Microsoft doesn’t have anything to copy yet. You can bet that Tuesday afternoon (assuming Apple releases it at MacWorld), such a device will be at the top of the Microsoft to-be-copied list.
This Bach guy obviously does not get it, because it’s not an iPod phone or an iPhone, it’s the new iPod period. I’m not sure if even Apple is bold enough to “pull a mini” (stop making the previous successful model cold), but at some point, all “full-size” iPods will have wireless. Whether the customer uses it or not, it will be part of the package. But because it’s there, people will start to use it, and Apple’s wireless service will ride the iPod’s popularity and show what the “iPod halo effect” is really all about.
Wow… Apple must REALLY be on the right track… cuz Redmond sure seems to be worried. Suddenly a LOT of PR effort is going into creating doubt about Apple. Remember these “news” articles don’t just appear because some reporter makes a random phone call–an army of PR flaks is out there trying to make them happen.
Congrats to Apple for making it back to the big leagues. It’s been along time since MS worried about Apple…
The point’s been made already, but this has to be a conscious FUD campaign by Microsoft. It’s hard to believe they have the gall to claim Apple doesn’t partner well, when they just screwed over dozens of their precious partners in the Plays for Sure debacle.
If the reporter had any chops, he’d get some quotes from Napster, Samsung, iRiver, and Creative about how wonderful Microsoft is as a partner, and why Zune will boost their businesses so.
this is the same guy that said in the MS Keynote that Zune would be in the leadership position within a few years…
Does my breath smells like ass yet?
Talk about teaching granny to suck eggs!
Does he not know that Apple offer the best hardware, OS and software integration out there?
Apple IS NOT Microsoft.
Apple does things in the best interest of the consumer and not thinking about how many customers they can screw for cash as priority no.1 (unlike Microsoft!).
Aesop wrote about this behavior exhibited by Microsoft’s Robbie Bach. It’s a classic example of the dog in the manger. With all its resources, MS can’t get any of the elements right, let alone the smooth integrated architecture, design and business plan required, so instead they cast FUD in an attempt to block Apple from winning.
It will not work Robbie. Prepare, loser, for your envious face to get greener yet.
MW: Success in consumer electronics is simply “beyond” Microsoft’s skill set.
Microsoft approach with the Zune (just after the sales figures came in anayway), was to make slow steady progress, and be in a dominating position within a couple of years.
Ok, why then cannot Apple do the same with the iPod phone?
The parallels between the Zune and the iPod phone are the same, they are both new products being introduced into a marketplace that is already dominated with major players, (the iPod in the Zune case, and Nokia, Motorola etc. in the case of the iPod phone).
I think Apple (IF they release a phone), will take this approach; slow steady progression that will dominate eventually.
Is Robbie that paunchy, middle-aged dancing butterfly guy?
That would explain a lot.
@ LinuxGuy and Mac Prodigal Son:
“MS can’t get any of the elements right, let alone the smooth integrated architecture, design and business plan required”
How would you know about “smooth integrated architecture” when you’ve got your head stuck in Steve Job’s bony ass? It takes a tremendous amount of resources and planning to launch a product like Zune and to lay down a roadmap for its eventual overtaking of the market leader (which is what it’ll do in about 3-5 year’s time).
“Nobody in their right mind gives a zune what Robbie Bach thinks about the possibility of an Apple iPod phone.”
Unfortunately, it’s the same dismissive attitude behind the numerous failures in Iraq.
Couldn’t it be a wi-fi only phone? Thus no MVNO, no FCC filing, etc. Pretty soon the world will be blanketed with hotspots anyhow (wasn’t Google working on this?) It would be so like Apple to push the envelope that far… Remember how they got rid of floppy drives way early? Notice how they abandoned the standard telephone modem way early?
I say it won’t use cellular at all.
Dear MDN,
Awesome take.
I’m afraid, however, thatyou have misplaced the article “the” before iPod. It should read: It’s iPod.
Steve would not approve.
Of course MS is waiting and “it’s not top of the priority lise”
They need to see what Apple does first, study what’s succesful and only then COPY it as their own.
Classic MicroSoft move.
First post!!!!!
Cool.
Interesting that he would say they were thinking about a phone for the Zune. In Bill Gates’ pre CES interview with the WSJ (I think), he absolutely denied that Microsoft would ever do a phone, complimenting the variety of those available from “their partners” and how well MSFT’s mobile solutions have been integrated into the space.
Right hand / left hand?
Billy is leaving so no one cares what he’s thinking?
Hmmm….
Could it be that Apple announces the iPhone to run over WiFI & Sprint’s new WiMAX network w/ VoIP?
I’m hoping!
For a man who likes to win, Robbie, you sure laid a big turd on the steps of Microsoft House with your Zune. If Daisuke Wakabayashi were you, he’d be having nightmares of his ancestors chanting, “seppuku, seppuku, seppuku.” Still I’ve got to hand this to you: it took guts to tell Bill Gates the XBox would be better without Windows. Seems to me that you can figure out what is a turd after all.
That’s just plain damn funny to me.
MW:doing, as in “SmallnLimp just ain’t doing it!”
“Nobody in their right mind gives a zune what Robbie Bach thinks about the possibility of an Apple iPod phone.”
Then why bother posting this (non) story?
MW: movement; as in another Microsoft bowel movement
Why don’t people get it? The public isn’t excited about an Apple phone because it is also an ipod. It is looking forward to it because mobile phones are overly complicated and difficult to use. It truly has nothing to do with the fact that it can play music. My razr software totally sucks. It takes at least 3 or 4 sub menus to even get the most simple task done. Why does it have to be difficult? I want an apple phone not because it will most likely play music but it would be nice for someone to make a mobile phone a pleasure to use instead of a hassle.
I bought a new mobile phone recently. I looked for a simple phone – no camera, no MP3 player – just a simple phone with a calendar. Problem is, it doesn’t exist, so you end up with all the other crap anyway. As long as Apple makes it simple and intuitve, it can’t be worse than all the other rubbish that is already availble.
@jovial pc boy.
Not sure if you’re being facetious or not but you said…
“It takes a tremendous amount of resources and planning to launch a product like Zune and to lay down a roadmap for its eventual overtaking of the market leader (which is what it’ll do in about 3-5 year’s time).”
You mean like re-branding a Toshiba gigabeat player? And adding Brown as a color? Wow.
You ARE a boy. Boy.
yet another Steve:
“Wow… Apple must REALLY be on the right track… cuz Redmond sure seems to be worried. Suddenly a LOT of PR effort is going into creating doubt about Apple. Remember these “news” articles don’t just appear because some reporter makes a random phone call–an army of PR flaks is out there trying to make them happen.”
Absolutely. The MS FUD Machine™ is firing on all cylinders over MacWorld. Steve Jobs’ face must hurt from laughing.
“Congrats to Apple for making it back to the big leagues. It’s been along time since MS worried about Apple…”
It’s been a LOOOONG time since Microsoft has had to worry about ANYone! If MS had to worry about ANYthing, would they have released the eviscerated Vista? The Zune?
MDN Magic Word: Quality… EXACTLY!
Maybe the “viral” news story should be how worried Microsoft is about Apple market resurgence, considering all their negative statements about Apple, hmm.
This is similar to Gates proclaiming that DRM is bad and that people should only buy cds. What he didn’t mention was his motivation to stop people from buying iPods to listen to that music.
You can tell Apple’s success is getting to them. LOVE IT!
“Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division,…”
I couldn’t finish the artivle after reading this line hahahahahahah.
Where is my buddy Zune Tang. mr. Repetitive is strangely quiet on this one.
MS just can’t help themselves. They’re just like the schoolyard bullies.
During the CES presentation, they dissed Apple a couple of times – here’s one: “It’s better than going back in time” when they were talking about Vista Shadowcopy.
And Gates saying that Apple is at a huge disadvantage in consumer electronics because they don’t embrace the MS PC model. Even as MS moves to the Zune model.
And MS beginning to use cute names – see they trademarked “SportsLounge” and “LifeChat”.
I think Jobs can pull out the copier line again. So sad.
Clearly this sounds like a man shaking in his boots, trying to steal some of the thunder before the announcement. It’s like that guy who always says they were thinking of doing the same thing as you after you’ve already done it just to feel better about themselves for not doing it first. Again, one of the requirements for working at Microsoft is to have no pride or shame. Some of this morons statements are pointed attacks. For once I’d like to hear a reporter ask one of these MFST big wigs point blank about their obvious rip off of OS X and see what they have to say.
“Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, said it too is considering a mobile phone integrated with its Zune digital music player, but launching such a device is not at top of its priority list.”
That is because there is no Toshiba Mobile Gigabeat Phone to relabel (yet).
Robbie Bach – (post Keynote) – wanker!
I wonder what Bach thinks now that they’ve announced the iPhone. Makes the Zune look sooo silly.
It really is far more enjoyable re-reading this now that the iPhone has been announced.
They just did, so does MS want to rethink their statement?
Anybody want to buy my Zune? Anybody?
Welcome to the Obsolescence.
Everybody’s already said it, but I can’t resist joining the chorus. Microsoft has their head so far up their ass that they don’t know whether they’re coming or going. The toughest hurdle Apple is likely to face in the immediate future is how to resist the urge to laugh right in the face of clueless worms like Robbie Bach when they open their mouths as if they have something to say.
My personal take on the Apple iPhone is that it’s not totally the first device of its kind in the whole universe, but will almost certainly turn out to be the first to really fulfill the promise of the concept.
For high-end mobile users, the Appe iPhone has instantly redefined the rules of the game and, like the iPod before it, is so cool that it may take awhile for the market to comprehend how amazingly cool it really is.
I think Robbie just ate some dirty!
all right guys…
stop talking bad about microsoft now…
we will build the best mobile phone ever just like we created Zune…
just wait & see…
“A person in Bach’s position should understand the power of the Apple brand”
Yah, that’s why Apple has less than 5% of the OS market share.
And even with the powerful Microsoft brand, the Zune has less than 2% of the MP3 player market share. So what’s your point???