news.zdnet.com— Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer on Thursday dismissed Google's Android operating system, saying he believed it was financially unsound.{dek1}
Nov 6, 2008View in Crawl 4
I have a secret love affair with microsoft because I like their products. In my experience I've had a great experience with Xp, Vista(no crashes, no virus) and office is great for me. But I can't stand Steve Ballmer, he can suck my neightbor's balls.
Listen, I love Android too, but Ballmer does make some good points. Android is, in fact, way behind. I don't think anyone can dispute that given this is their first cut at their first operating system. Nevertheless, people are optimistic that Google can catch up quickly, with good reason.On the other hand, Ballmer is absolutely right that they have no revenue model. Windows Mobile gets the majority of its revenue from licensing, and yet is still not a profitable division for MS. The only three possible revenue streams I see for them right now are the app store, support and advertising. Support will hardly make them profitable. If they integrate mandatory advertising into Android, I believe there will be massive backlash. Taking a cut of App Store purchases would probably make them decent revenue - if apps cost anything! Even when developers are allowed to start charging for apps, I think Android's whole FOSS appeal would tend to draw FOSS developers who are philosophically against charging money. All of that is moot anyway since Google is currently not planning to take any cut at all from app sales.So, what are the dozens of ways that you were thinking of?
Obviously it won't be over night. However, take a peek and see how many companies are preparing to implement Android into next-gen handsets. I think the first step will be getting a serious foothold in the mobile os industry. You'll never get Apple or Microsoft to fork over their software for free. Mobile companies will be able to offer better handsets for better prices with better software using Android - worldwide man! If you can get your product out there to the masses than that is all that really matters - money will follow. I would agree that there will be backlash from advertising on the phone itself but less on the web side, we're all used to that already. Google apps sync with Android pretty damn well and I am actually using things like Google calendar, contacts, reader, etc. simply because it works so well and adds value to my phone use and time. Google thinks big. Maybe in 5 years they'll sell off the rights to Android for 50 billion and start a better handheld os because they did it so well the first time. Either way they are trying to take over the world and we all own phones these days. Think about how long Google has been around and the progress they have made so far. They are making these decisions for a reason.
As I was saying... so, what are the dozens of ays that you were thinking of?I haven't heard a single one yet other than "Android is going to be really fricking popular", which isn't actually a revenue model.
Ballmer must really love the taste of crow. You'd think after his disastrous iPhone-failure prediction he'd learn to keep his pie-hole shut about the competition. Especially since the competitors seem to have coherent mobile strategies based around shipping products and Microsoft has neither.He's calling *Android* behind? Really? I could walk into a store today and buy a phone running Android. Where's Windows 7 Phone? Will that be in devices on store shelves before 2011? And no, Windows Mobile 6.5 doesn't count, because everyone who cares about such things knows it's just a fresh coat of paint on an old outhouse-- a 'placeholder' product (just like Vista), so the 'Nothing But Microsoft' suckers have something to buy until the real product actually ships.
nickcrzNov 6, 2008
I have a secret love affair with microsoft because I like their products. In my experience I've had a great experience with Xp, Vista(no crashes, no virus) and office is great for me. But I can't stand Steve Ballmer, he can suck my neightbor's balls.
yournamehereNov 6, 2008
I'm his neighbor and I approve this message (although I rather it be a woman if you don't mind)
t0nyNov 7, 2008
He is right. Just like his was about the iPhone.
tonicboyNov 7, 2008
Listen, I love Android too, but Ballmer does make some good points. Android is, in fact, way behind. I don't think anyone can dispute that given this is their first cut at their first operating system. Nevertheless, people are optimistic that Google can catch up quickly, with good reason.On the other hand, Ballmer is absolutely right that they have no revenue model. Windows Mobile gets the majority of its revenue from licensing, and yet is still not a profitable division for MS. The only three possible revenue streams I see for them right now are the app store, support and advertising. Support will hardly make them profitable. If they integrate mandatory advertising into Android, I believe there will be massive backlash. Taking a cut of App Store purchases would probably make them decent revenue - if apps cost anything! Even when developers are allowed to start charging for apps, I think Android's whole FOSS appeal would tend to draw FOSS developers who are philosophically against charging money. All of that is moot anyway since Google is currently not planning to take any cut at all from app sales.So, what are the dozens of ways that you were thinking of?
casbarNov 7, 2008
Obviously it won't be over night. However, take a peek and see how many companies are preparing to implement Android into next-gen handsets. I think the first step will be getting a serious foothold in the mobile os industry. You'll never get Apple or Microsoft to fork over their software for free. Mobile companies will be able to offer better handsets for better prices with better software using Android - worldwide man! If you can get your product out there to the masses than that is all that really matters - money will follow. I would agree that there will be backlash from advertising on the phone itself but less on the web side, we're all used to that already. Google apps sync with Android pretty damn well and I am actually using things like Google calendar, contacts, reader, etc. simply because it works so well and adds value to my phone use and time. Google thinks big. Maybe in 5 years they'll sell off the rights to Android for 50 billion and start a better handheld os because they did it so well the first time. Either way they are trying to take over the world and we all own phones these days. Think about how long Google has been around and the progress they have made so far. They are making these decisions for a reason.
tonicboyNov 8, 2008
As I was saying... so, what are the dozens of ays that you were thinking of?I haven't heard a single one yet other than "Android is going to be really fricking popular", which isn't actually a revenue model.
phillymjsMay 23, 2010
Ballmer must really love the taste of crow. You'd think after his disastrous iPhone-failure prediction he'd learn to keep his pie-hole shut about the competition. Especially since the competitors seem to have coherent mobile strategies based around shipping products and Microsoft has neither.He's calling *Android* behind? Really? I could walk into a store today and buy a phone running Android. Where's Windows 7 Phone? Will that be in devices on store shelves before 2011? And no, Windows Mobile 6.5 doesn't count, because everyone who cares about such things knows it's just a fresh coat of paint on an old outhouse-- a 'placeholder' product (just like Vista), so the 'Nothing But Microsoft' suckers have something to buy until the real product actually ships.