This week in iPod bashing

Whatever tricks Apple Computer pulls, Bill Gates isn't likely to be very impressed.

Microsoft's chief said in an interview published Thursday that he sees mobile phones overtaking standalone MP3 players and that he views the raging popularity of Apple's iPod player as unsustainable.

"As good as Apple may be, I don't believe the success of the iPod is sustainable in the long run," he said in an interview published in Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "If you were to ask me which mobile device will take top place for listening to music, I'd bet on the mobile phone for sure."

Gates made similar comments in an interview with CNET News.com earlier this week.

Gates made those comments as his company wrapped up development of Windows Mobile 5.0, its latest operating system for cell phones and handhelds. Microsoft is hoping to boost its fortunes--and grab some market share from archrival Nokia--by creating software that can more easily be customized by device makers and wireless carriers.

Microsoft points to a number of features it said will help in that regard, including support for software-based buttons that will make it easier to operate devices with one hand and without using a stylus. The new version also offers features such as improved mobile versions of Word and Excel, a viewer for PowerPoint spreadsheets, and a mobile version of Windows Media 10 that supports subscription music and viewing of recorded TV shows.

Meanwhile, cell phone giant Nokia revealed details of its television technology to help jump-start the young mobile-TV industry. The company unveiled its version of a standardized method for delivering broadcast digital TV to handsets in the United States, Europe and Asia. The standard, DVB-H, or Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld, competes with a host of other similar technologies, including Qualcomm's new MediaFlo. Companies supporting DVB-H say it's less expensive and allows a quicker product turnaround.

Nokia's move supports the wireless industry's view that there's a sizable market for mobile-TV fare, including movies, news clips and standard programming typically found on living room TVs. If the market for the content is indeed robust, such a service could generate significant new revenue streams for wireless operators.

[jbelkin]

Bill Gates Has ZERO clue about real Consumers

Can you imagine him actually "wasting" his time listening to music? When he could be reading white papers or court depositions? To him, an ipod is a mini HDD, a screen and a scroll wheel - he cannot fathom at all why anyone would choose that over a MS "approved" player that has many more brochureware features - because he has ZERO clue music and people who love music - he thinks it's all about features. He also cannot fathom why people would skip the 15 WMA stores and head straight for Apple.

This is why MS's other attempts at portable media have all failed - Media Pc's (other than the $499 model, who's buying?), video-audio player and all WMA portable players - they are designed for MS's DRM without any regard for the user because Bill doesn't watch any fun TV or listen to music (I'm sure he watches the news and C-Span) - next time he starts babbling about how great or portable their product is - ask him what he carries on his player(s)? I'm sure the MS PR lackey will rush right in and cut off your interview.

Just look at the new XBox. Isn't that the same mold they used for the Disney Mickey Mouse VCR from a few years back? That's the design they claimed would be brilliant and perfect for any living room? I'm not saying that Xbox 360 will be a bad gaming machine but the end design clearly means they can read the research but they have ZERO idea of how to reach the general public?

Bill Gates should be listen to when he's talking about servers and Windows PC's but music, TV or gaming - why not ask him about tantric sex or the best rave club on Ibiza or what designer has the best handbag? He is smart when it comes to IT - for everything else, it's like asking grandpa which is the best wireless plan ,...

[lingsun]

That's why he's a billionaire!

That's why he's a billionaire! Actually, you can't necessarily go by what he says. He and Microsoft have their own agenda.

[M C]

Props where props are due: THAT's a great headline.

It probably won't sway many people who see CNet as an opinion source rather than a news source, but still, I laughed.

People have this urban-myth-type idea of MS as winning in whatever realm it chooses to fight hard. Yet I'm still waiting for MSN to overtake AOL (as an ISP) or Yahoo (as a portal), or for Money to do better than a distant second to Quicken, or for IIS to beat Apache, or for Smart Watches and tablet PCs not to be mocked.

Really, the only "wars" they truly "won" were the OS war and browser war, and those were more than a decade ago, so they're not really in a position to be prophesizing on today's technology battles.

Gates Forcast

I don't believe that Mr Gates has used the iPod to its fullest
capability when he made this remark. It would seem more practical
to use a control between an iPod and cell phone in order to switch
from one to the other. I for one would like to be able to do that
instead of juggling between the two.
I'm trying to remember WHO once forcasted "The computer will
never need more than 640M of RAM" or something like that!

[Thomas, David]

LMAO ... :-)

I remembe that interview with Bill Gates LOL

[lrd123]

Gates and the IPOD

Bill a visionary? I'm afraid not. Another CEO would have been laughed out of his position by now. I mean every thing from Windows 95 to the XBOX has been far from visionary-more like copying if you ask me. Every knew idea MS has come out has failed!

[Earl Benser]

And what did you expect?????

Ol' Bill never has been the sharpest knife in the drawer when it
comes to true innovation. He's always caught with his pants
down, but then uses the MS money pit to come up with an also-
ran design, which then is welded into the WIndows OS to cut out
competition.

So once again, Ol' Bill is trying to catch up. He never saw the
iPod coming until it ran him over. So he had to turn to the ony
game he had going, cell phones. And if Ol' Bill has his way, your
cell phone will be overloaded with all sorts of functions you
really don't need, and with some luck, you just might be able to
make a ohone call with it.

Ah yes, the MS version of 'convergence' meets the MS idea of
'innovation'.

Bill...Gates.....bah

Is Gates soimply obvious? Or a fool to think ANYone wants
ANYthing further to do with Microsoft at LEAST for another year or
so.

one other thing

I don'tr want to hear ANY more from Gates on ANY issue and I'm not a gamer not interested in Xbox 360 or whatever. GO AWAY GATES no one cares what you say since having abandoned truth for wishful thinking. Dosen;t work like that bub.