Is Microsoft talking smack or taking it?

It seems that Microsoft's Scott Rockfeld was talking some smack about the iPhone at the London launch of Windows Mobile 6.1.

"We are not at all worried. We think we've got the one mobile platform you'll use for the rest of your life."

"Here lies Ted. He used Windows Mobile." Yeesh. Thanks for the creepy marketing campaign, Microsoft.

However Rockfeld was quick to dash Apple's hopes of dominating the smartphone market...

Uh, that should probably be "quick to try to dash Apple's hopes". The Macalope expects that if one were to drive over to One Infinite Loop right now, Steve Jobs wouldn't exactly be sobbing into his falafel.

"They are not going to catch up", he said before reminding us that Microsoft shifted more licences of its mobile platform than RIM and Apple did handsets put together last year.

"Shifted" should probably have been "shipped" there [in comments, shedside indicates that this is a Britishism] but, knowing Microsoft and how it uses its channels, maybe "shifted" is right. "Watch the lady! Watch the lady!"

But what's wrong with that statistic Rockfeld's running up the flag pole there? Well, he kind of sort of left out the fact that the iPhone didn't ship until mid-way through 2007.

If you look at the fourth quarter -- you know, the most recent quarter we have data for -- you'll see that Microsoft had 12% of the global smartphone market, RIM had 11% and Apple had 7%. And, the last time the Macalope checked, 11 + 7 = 18 and 18 is greater than 12 (please feel free to check his math).

Plus, the iPhone is already ahead of Windows Mobile in the U.S., all on its lonesome. And the iPhone was only getting started globally in the 4th quarter and is still only available in a handful of countries.

So, the Macalope doesn't know about it "catching up" -- maybe Apple has no plans to bring the iPhone to other countries, or maybe Apple's just a-scared of Microsoft and is getting out of the smartphone business soon -- but where and when both WIndows Mobile and the iPhone are available, the iPhone is winning hands down.

You can't fault Rockfeld for gilding the lily a bit. That's his job. But it's worth pointing out that it's not based in reality.

[etcook]

Oh this wasn't expected at all, another Apple vs. Microsoft post. Thanks for keeping the topics fresh in your posts Macalope! Such diversity in substance is precisely what you need for a successful blog! Kudos, keep up the good work!

[etcook]

Oh, this is a pleasant surprise, another Microsoft vs. Apple post! Such diversity in topics Macalope! Kudos for always keeping it fresh!

[ripragged]

et, phone home.

Hey, did you notice the "Mac" part of Macalope? This is a Mac-centric site. If that offends you, there are several other places to hang out on the interthingy. If you want a flame war, come on over to RipRagged.com. I'll accomodate you. You won't make much of a splash since I only have about eight regular readers, but we'll be more than happy to call you names.

I'll bet you go to bars and complain about that "beer" smell.

[RichardFlynn]

The spelling 'licence' is absolutely correct. 'Licence' (with a c) is the noun, while 'license' (with an s) is the verb. Just like advice/advise. It's a huge pity that this isn't standard American practice, unlike the rest of the world. (We also have the same distinction for practice/practise.)

[shedside]

The use of "shifted" is fine in this context too. Here in the UK, it can simply mean "to sell", but with connotations of a lack of subtlety or finesse ? as in "I just managed to shift a dozen boxes of dodgy rolexes down the market, at a pony a pop".

[Obvioustroll]

Shedside:
Your quaint English language intrigues me. I wish to learn more.
;)

I think Microsoft has been learning from The US Govt. If you lie enough times, and ignore all the evidence to the contrary, reporters will publish it and people will believe it.

[frank bruce]

Sad, a windows mobile phone works in Latin America while if you want to have an iPhone you need to crack it. For as long as Apple keeps the iPhone lock, WMobile will keep its rule of iron.

[smokescreen1984]

etcook's almost as annoying at that troll from 'Fixyourthinking'.

And Scott Rockfeld needs to come out of his cave more than once a year to see what's going on in the real world.

[ignisfatuusz]

Perhaps Microsoft has some unique Redmond-only definition for the term "catching up."

...you know, kinda like how they seem to think the words 'innovate' and 'imitate' share the same meaning.

[jfatz]

Excellent, as usual. ^_^ The only think I would suggest, however, is also mentioning the yearly numbers instead of just the Q4 numbers, when debunking the "sold more than RIM and Apple put together." Especially since it shows a trend compared to Q4.

For the year, Microsoft had a 13% marketshare by OS, and RIM had 10%. Apple, obviously, still has that 6.5%. So even for the full year (since that is what Rockfeld specifically claimed) his comment is incorrect, and when you analyze Q4's numbers, you see RIM gaining while Apple does, and Symbian and Microsoft slipping a few percentage points, which is telling in and of itself as to which platforms are more compelling, have more momentum, and are showing more signs of growth.

Certainly it's nothing to laud on Microsoft's side.

[etcook]

@ripragged

Just because it is a mac-centric site doesn't mean it has to be polemics and invectives 24/7...which is precisely what the Macalope is. When he first started there was some actual insight into the Apple status quo, and what the future held for Apple, now it really is just a flame war, which Macalope takes part in without reservation.

@smokescreen

I'm sorry you feel that me pointing out the incessant flaming that Macalope partakes in is annoying. Obviously you are chomping at the bits every time the Mac vs PC debate comes up, so please Macalope, carry on, you have at least one ****** bag that likes to fill his life with **** talking all day long.