Microsoft Entertainment's Robbie Bach respectful of iPhone, pushes Windows Mobile
Being slightly kinder than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, head of the Microsoft Entertainment division, Robbie Bach, has spoken of the iPhone:
"Apple is very good at design; they come up with interesting approaches to products. Like anything else, it will have its trade-offs. It will be pretty high priced, and just on the Cingular (AT&T) network. But, it's an Apple product. It'll attract its level of attention from Apple enthusiasts, and we'll see where it goes from there. And it's a new concept, highly integrated," he said.
Nevertheless, he was also keen to point out that his team are pushing their latest Windows Mobile operating system, because, "phones are deeply personal."
"Some people want a flip phone, some people want a candy bar, some people want a QWERTY keyboard, some people want a touch screen, some people want music phones -- people have different needs," he said.
In other words, the iPhone looks interesting, but it's a fixed, single device, whereas Microsoft design the mobile operating system that can be used on a large range of devices.
That seems to be as much a shot at RIM's BlackBerry as it is to the iPhone.
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The problem of Robbie's stance is that the iPhone IS a fully functioning iPod with iPod connector.
This means that with every iPhone sold, the iPod's entrenchment into our daily lives becomes deeper and more difficult to dislodge.
Every iPhone sold will sell another iPod and another. Everyone needs more than one iPod.
Compare this to Microsoft's situation. The Windows mobile phones are completely different from the Zune. The Zune does not sell a Windows mobile phone. The Windows mobile phone does not sell a Zune.
Posted by: James Katt | May 29, 2007 7:02 PM