“Probably still reeling from all publicity around these shots, Microsoft reportedly told journalists gathered for a company press event in Germany not to use or mention Apple products,” Chauncey Dupree reports for 9 to 5 Mac.
Apple Macs reigned supreme at Microsoft’s Mobius 2009 last month:
Dupree reports, “Our German is a bit rusty and Google is even worse, but according to Handelsblatt and our bad translation: ‘While at a Windows Mobile 6.5 demonstration in Munich, Germany a journalist was warned by a Microsoft spokesman not to mention or use Apple products…since it was a Microsoft event the journalist had previously told everyone that he had never owned an easier to use cell phone than the iPhone.'”
Dupree reports, “Now, you can say what you like about Microsoft’s huge market share – not just in terms of PC sales but also in virus and Trojan horse production – but even in Apple’s darkest days we don’t think Cupertino ever insisted on no mention or use of Microsoft-powered products.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If Microsoft bans Mac- and iPhone-toting journalists, their events will have very little coverage and none of it smart.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Ooowww I’m so scared… >_<
so that’s how Microsoft fight back Apple. Quite very dirty, isn’t it?
@anthony007
The thing is steveray is just stating a fact.. nothing to do with the election…
You’d have to be stoned to say ‘Apple’ in a crowded Ballmer-House
Is that Gil in a beard?
Sarah Palin is an airhead because that’s what the mainstream media told me and I believe everything they say. I also form my political opinions based heavily on SNL skits.
That’s why I voted for Obama and why everyone in the U.S., even the thinking 60 million who didn’t vote for Obama, are royally fscked. It’ll take years to undo the damage that the empty suit fumbling community organizer and the twin ditzes Reid and Pelosi inflict.
First 2010, then 2012
anthony007, “@Steveray: The election is over, you lost. Move on. Get over it. Accept it. Don’t worry, 2012 isn’t far off and you will have a chance to vote for that airhead, Palin.”
Palin preferred over Putinlike Pompous pricks.
@DogGone
Why do some people feel the need to kill a joke by explaining it when everyone already got it?
Q. What is German for “jackass”?
A. SteveRey
Monopolistic bullying!
I’m surprised that that kind of shit is let just fly in Germany. The journalist in Germany are normally very outspoken on their freedom of choice and would normally walk out in mass and then make a stink about it in the news. It would be like being at a Nikon Camera announce or event and the journalist being told that they can’t use their Canon Cameras… It just doesn’t wash.
This will bite MS worse then the poor doctored photo on the MS website.
Bada…boom!
2008, 2010 and 2012…YES WE CAN.
sounds to me like Redmond is getting their advice from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC……
At a Hanes marketing event, journalists wearing Fruit of the Loom are asked to leave
Now THAT’s taking it in the shorts!
I’m puzzled—I thought it was obvious to everybody:
Palin in 2012: predicted by the Maya
Can you say…BACKFIRE?? I knew you could.
Ringgo
I don’t think Maya Angelou would put Palin over Obama…..wait.
Most of those Apple laptops probably have Windows installed in some capacity or another.
Microsoft should simply focus on that detail, rather than fight it.
Instead, not only have they decided to show their fear, but they are now taking anticompetitive measures.
They never learn.
This is way Microsoft is number one, they have the power to stop people in their tracks from choosing the products they want to use and all people can do is complain and say Not fair…. Microsoft is number 1 because they can kick sand in your face!!!!
I thought journalists were covered by the “freedom of speech” amendment. If Microsoft is actually doing this, it will come back and bite them in the but hard.
@ Mac-nugget–
The US Constitution does not apply outside of our borders.
This happened in Germany.
@TheConfuzed1
You make a profound point.
Since Macs can run Windows, and Microsoft makes very little hardware, why do they care if there are Macs everywhere?
When Mac users see Windows running on their Macs, they will all switch to solely using the superior Windows OS, yes?
I suspect it’s not simply because Microsoft cannot see the forest for the trees.
I think Microsoft knows with absolute certainty that if most people owned Apple hardware, and had Windows and Apple’s OS running side by side on their Macs, Microsoft would wither and die faster than a trout on the 401.
And Microsoft is as much as admitting this by attempting to ban Apple products from their events.
Microsoft management is living in exciting times.
What about M$ Office for the better computers? Can we mention that?
Seems the libs around here are as afraid of Palin as Microsoft is of Apple.
Stupid lardass gasbag Balmer gave the edict.
No—after the last 5 US presidents, what’s to fear??
Besides, Palin can run in 2012, but she won’t stand a chance against Obama if he wins the war on terror, restores the economy, and advocates deep tax cuts.
I just realized there might be a connection to this story: German government plans to fund Microsoft malware bailout.
Perhaps Microsoft were expecting this “bailout” to take the form of forcing all journalists to use only Microsoft products?
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