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While Surface might not be the Windows tablet saviour many were clamouring for, Microsoft’s chief Steve Ballmer told the Beeb that more hardware will be on the way to set a “new standard” in “important opportunities”. So, does that mean more hardware that can double as skateboards?
This news, however, may be worrying to some of Microsoft’s partners. Ballmer caused a bit of a stir when he revealed that the Redmond giant was making its own tablets instead of purely focusing on software. Speaking to the Financial Times, Acer’s chief executive said that Surface would have “a huge negative impact for the [PC] ecosystem and other brands”, and perhaps this could be the case again if Microsoft decides to pursue other hardware ventures. Of course, there have been exceptions in the past, such as Microsoft’s successful delve into the gaming world with the Xbox and the Xbox 360, as well as Kinect.
But there is much to consider, as it really does depend on what hardware Microsoft decides to have a go at. If anything can be learned from the giant’s history, that decision could prove to be unsuccessful, as does anyone remember the Zune? That gamble pretty much flopped in the face of Apple’s massive domination of the handheld audio player market, so Ballmer and co. definitely need to play it smart this time and break into something that will definitely produce results for the company. Any thoughts, anyone? [BBC]
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Stop driving Microsoft down the drain!
I think they’re safe as long as they make sure the hardware is only there to compliment their core strength – software.
Steve Ballmer looks like Odo from Deep Space Nine.
hahaha i see it too, now you have mentioned it
Google’s Nexus programme has enhanced both Google and Android so I see no reason why reason why it can’t be the same for Microsoft and Windows despite what a whiney CEO of a cheap Taiwanese company thinks. The Zunes were awesome but let down by a lack of marketing and widespread release and every realistic review seems to be praising the Surface so I see no reason for them not to explore this sector, and more importantly, nor reason why that exploration won’t be a success.
Microsoft does not believe in any of its products. It harldy felt like they had any confidence in Zune beating the iPod. It gave up on Zune before it even tried. They even changed the Music player on XboX to XboX music. Well, who uses iPods these days anyway. I use my iPhone to stream music on Spotify. Bottomline, Microsoft needs balls. Ballmer has a ball in his name but no balls in his game.
Ah, goold old Crazy Steve, my favourite loony CEO of all time.