Microsoft CEO finds Android confusing

Microsoft CEO finds Android confusing
Watching an interview with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco, you could easily get the impression Google is struggling to compete in cloud computing and smartphones.

According to Ballmer, when it comes to the competition for enterprise cloud services, Microsoft is "Winning, winning, winning, winning, winning."



You certainly wouldn't guess Google's smartphone OS was a market leader based on his comments. He said Android is too complicated and the handsets too cheap.

"You don't need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows phone," said Ballmer, "and I think you do to use an Android phone." He called Android handsets "inconsistent," and complained that they "don't look alike." He added, "the cheapest phones on the market this holiday will still probably be the Android phones - the very rock bottom cheapest."

And how does Windows Phone stack up? According to Ballmer it will attract consumers because the phones will look good and feel nice in your hand. But primarily, he says, they will succeed because Windows Phone is "putting your information front and center," instead of "seas of icons."

Ballmer did have some compliments for Apple, even if they were a little backhanded. He said they were doing "some nice things" with the new Siri voice assistant for the iPhone 4S, but suggested Microsoft was doing the same things a year ago and had long since moved further.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 19 Oct 2011 3:44
Tags
Microsoft Google Android Windows Phone
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  • 29 comments
  • hikaricor

    *eyeroll*

    19.10.2011 05:48 #1

  • DXR88

    Steve Ballmer no doubt finds wiping his ass confusing, as well.

    Powered By

    19.10.2011 07:34 #2

  • buxtahuda

    Originally posted by "idiot": too complicated and the handsets too cheap. Because no one wants lots of options and quality for a good price ,>.>

    Surely he doesn't mean the build is too cheap? With all the stuff being put on these phones, especially the HTC and now apparently Motorola?

    19.10.2011 08:18 #3

  • 3MUK

    Originally posted by DXR88: Steve Ballmer no doubt finds wiping his ass confusing, as well. lol maybe he does, but overall his going to bag the competition and promote 7 because its the nature of business.

    Always remember youre unique, just like everyone else.

    19.10.2011 08:57 #4

  • xyqo

    Hey Ballmer! Whats up every time you open your mouth I become a bigger fan of your stand up routine. Nice jokes pal.
    The guy just said the same partners that makes phones for his company makes cheap phones LOL!!

    XXYYQQOO!!! Yeah WELCOME TO JAMROCK

    19.10.2011 09:19 #5

  • aw2600

    Ballmer is nothing more than a used car salesman at the helm of one of the world's largest corporations. The guy has been living in salesman mode his entire life. Like any salesman, he extols the virtues of his product and downplays the competition - and lies in the process.

    Microsoft was successful in the 80's and 90's when Bill Gates was in charge. Gates is a technology guy who understands that it's technology that sells. Windows may have copied some of it's ideas from Xerox and Apple but it was an acceptable product that became mainstream for personal and business computing. Since Ballmer took over the innovation has gone away in favor of hardcore sales tactics attached to mediocre products.

    Microsoft will continue to be in slow decline until Ballmer is replaced. I don't see Microsoft ever regaining the lead that it had years ago. Sadly, those days are past us.

    19.10.2011 09:27 #6

  • xyqo

    Quote:Ballmer is nothing more than a used car salesman at the helm of one of the world's largest corporations. The guy has been living in salesman mode his entire life. Like any salesman, he extols the virtues of his product and downplays the competition - and lies in the process. Case in point watch this
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGvHNNOLnCk

    And you also make a great point. Its proven that most tech companies do best when a founder is in charge. The have greater focus on their core values and what made the company great in the first place. Look at Apple. Google seems to be doing better already after only a few months.

    XXYYQQOO!!! Yeah WELCOME TO JAMROCK

    19.10.2011 09:33 #7

  • Mysttic

    When I look at the pic of Ballmer I can't help but think to myself he doesn't even understand his own phone.

    19.10.2011 09:42 #8

  • EzCeazy

    I heard they're coming out with a 1gz Windows Phone 7......
    Wait that's already out of date...

    19.10.2011 10:31 #9

  • plutonash

    Didn't microsoft have to pay the companies who make android handsets millions to keep pumping for windows phones? I thought the only difference was the software between the two.

    "Cable thief is a victimless crime."

    19.10.2011 11:14 #10

  • Morreale

    He kind of has a point. I know I don't find Android confusing but my "non-tech" friends think it is and therefore stick with their Blackberrys and iPhones. I just switched to WP7.5 from Android on my HD2 and I think it's actually pretty nice, I was surprised. It's plain and simple, no clutter whatsoever and gets things done.

    19.10.2011 11:46 #11

  • molsen

    Originally posted by xyqo: Quote:Ballmer is nothing more than a used car salesman at the helm of one of the world's largest corporations. The guy has been living in salesman mode his entire life. Like any salesman, he extols the virtues of his product and downplays the competition - and lies in the process. Case in point watch this
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGvHNNOLnCk

    And you also make a great point. Its proven that most tech companies do best when a founder is in charge. The have greater focus on their core values and what made the company great in the first place. Look at Apple. Google seems to be doing better already after only a few months.
    For the most part any business that is ran by its founder will do well/better when someone else is in charge. There is no "skin" in the game for the new person. No belief or determenation to suceed. I too notice M$ getting a little soft in the tech dept.

    19.10.2011 12:25 #12

  • dEwMe

    Winning just like Charlie Sheen!

    Just my $0.02,

    dEwMe

    19.10.2011 13:22 #13

  • 1nsan3

    ive had a windows phone and wow do they suck. Im a computer geek. I love the more technical part of the phone. I like my icons, and customizations. windows phone has what, 4 or 5 huge icons on the screen and thats it. windows is for the "Family Friendly" group of people. Android is for the "Power Users" and i sure am not a family friendly guy.

    For Sale:

    Parachute, Used Once, never opened small stain.
    Best Offer!

    19.10.2011 14:41 #14

  • Hyasuma

    android is confusing? let me take your place than CEO. You just not smart enough for android. People who uses android knows what they are doing, and clearly this CEO does not. BTW, Window phone is confusing as well unless you get use it like everybody in this world does. So get a grip, and get use to it

    19.10.2011 17:31 #15

  • KillerBug

    I wouldn't say android is confusing, but I would say that it is inconsistent...there are too many different gui overlays and the base one is the best, yet most users don't even have that as an option.

    As for balmer, he looks like the kind of person that is confused by traffic signals.


    19.10.2011 23:38 #16

  • llongtheD

    Originally posted by KillerBug:
    As for balmer, he looks like the kind of person that is confused by traffic signals.
    Exactly, or you might find him chasing a little light darting around on a wall reflected off of someones watch face.
    It Makes you wonder where he gets his information considering the state the windows phones are in.

    20.10.2011 18:13 #17

  • KillerBug

    Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug:
    As for balmer, he looks like the kind of person that is confused by traffic signals.
    Exactly, or you might find him chasing a little light darting around on a wall reflected off of someones watch face.
    It Makes you wonder where he gets his information considering the state the windows phones are in.
    LoL...and he isn't very cute when he rolls around in catnip.


    20.10.2011 23:22 #18

  • pmshah

    Originally posted by DXR88: Steve Ballmer no doubt finds wiping his ass confusing, as well. Probably because he doesn't which end is which !!!!!

    21.10.2011 10:31 #19

  • bagio

    Hey !!! If you cant say something nice about someone then dont say anything. Leave Mr Ballmer alone. Thank you.

    21.10.2011 10:57 #20

  • drhanaba

    I see everyone attacking him but none contridicting what he said. If he is wrong state why he is wrong
    A:
    B:
    C:
    D:
    I'd like to see all the reasoned thoughts!!

    21.10.2011 12:03 #21

  • WierdName

    Interesting. Because I specifically avoided Windows phones, even considering an iPhone over it, because it looks like a kids-first-phone. Then again, studying for a Computer Science degree and having FTP, SSH, and other techy apps installed on my Atrix 4G Android I could be considered a "computer scientist." Still, my less than techy sister and grandmother have an android tablet and iPhone respectively.

    Doesnt expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected and therefore mean youre expecting the expected which was the unexpected until you expected it?
    "Opinions are immunities to being told were wrong." - Relient K

    21.10.2011 22:29 #22

  • KillerBug

    Originally posted by drhanaba: I see everyone attacking him but none contridicting what he said. If he is wrong state why he is wrong
    A:
    B:
    C:
    D:
    I'd like to see all the reasoned thoughts!!
    I actually did post a reasoned response before I started making fun of the clown:

    Originally posted by KillerBug: I wouldn't say android is confusing, but I would say that it is inconsistent...there are too many different gui overlays and the base one is the best, yet most users don't even have that as an option. Bet if you need it in a list, here you go:
    1.) "You don't need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows phone"
    1A.) I had to laminate the instructions for using a scanner for my dad...he GLUED the instructions to the top of the scanner and has to read them every single time he scans something...but the only help he needed when he got a new android was related to getting free wifi tethering that his carrier blocks.
    2.) He called Android handsets "inconsistent," and complained that they "don't look alike."
    2A.) The GUIs are not consistent...personally I don't like this, but every carrier has every GUI, and "different strokes for different folks". As for looking alike, they are made by numerous different companies that would all be suing eachother if they all looked alike. He might as well complain that Windows PCs are bad because netbooks look different than desktops.
    3.) He added, "the cheapest phones on the market this holiday will still probably be the Android phones - the very rock bottom cheapest."
    3A.) No, the cheapest phones will be those $8 phones that they sell at gas stations. Yeah...there are cheap android phones...and there are android phones that are $300 with contract...they are not competing in just ONE part of the smart phone market...and this is a GOOD THING!!!
    4.) And how does Windows Phone stack up? According to Ballmer it will attract consumers because the phones will look good and feel nice in your hand
    4A.) This is just silly...feels good in your hand? Who's hand? Does everyone have the same hands? Personally, the WinPho7 devices feel boxy and clunky in my hand...the curved back of an HTC Sensation 4G is far more comfortable.
    5.) Windows Phone is "putting your information front and center," instead of "seas of icons."
    5A.) Android puts your information on the lock screen...unlock it and you have access to whatever apps you use most at a single click. With Windows Phone 7, you have to unlock just to see your information, and then it takes extra steps to use your programs. As for the "seas of icons", they come from the vast collection of great android software that still hasn't been ported to Windows Phone 7.
    6.) Ballmer did have some compliments for Apple, even if they were a little backhanded. He said they were doing "some nice things" with the new Siri voice assistant for the iPhone 4S, but suggested Microsoft was doing the same things a year ago and had long since moved further.
    6A.) Siri is nothing but a bunch of 3-year-old android apps put into a single app, with a few jokes sprinkled in. Of course, he didn't mention the fact that the things Microsoft did a year ago were already two years old on Android...and that they didn't work on Windows Mobile.
    7.) According to Ballmer, when it comes to the competition for enterprise cloud services, Microsoft is "Winning, winning, winning, winning, winning."
    7A.) Why he would bring this up in a conversation about phones I don't really know...oh wait...yes I do...it is because windows phones are locked to crummy, broken MS cloud services that are run with the philosophy that if the user is losing, Microsoft must be winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining...


    22.10.2011 00:43 #23

  • llongtheD

    Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug:
    As for balmer, he looks like the kind of person that is confused by traffic signals.
    Exactly, or you might find him chasing a little light darting around on a wall reflected off of someones watch face.
    It Makes you wonder where he gets his information considering the state the windows phones are in.
    LoL...and he isn't very cute when he rolls around in catnip.
    Damn KB, I don't want to picture Balmer rolling around in anything..lol.

    If your fish seems sick, put it back in the water.

    22.10.2011 03:35 #24

  • KillerBug

    Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by llongtheD: Originally posted by KillerBug:
    As for balmer, he looks like the kind of person that is confused by traffic signals.
    Exactly, or you might find him chasing a little light darting around on a wall reflected off of someones watch face.
    It Makes you wonder where he gets his information considering the state the windows phones are in.
    LoL...and he isn't very cute when he rolls around in catnip.
    Damn KB, I don't want to picture Balmer rolling around in anything..lol.
    Like I said...NOT CUTE.


    22.10.2011 04:03 #25

  • drhanaba

    Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by drhanaba: I see everyone attacking him but none contridicting what he said. If he is wrong state why he is wrong
    A:
    B:
    C:
    D:
    I'd like to see all the reasoned thoughts!!
    I actually did post a reasoned response before I started making fun of the clown:

    Originally posted by KillerBug: I wouldn't say android is confusing, but I would say that it is inconsistent...there are too many different gui overlays and the base one is the best, yet most users don't even have that as an option. Bet if you need it in a list, here you go:
    1.) "You don't need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows phone"
    1A.) I had to laminate the instructions for using a scanner for my dad...he GLUED the instructions to the top of the scanner and has to read them every single time he scans something...but the only help he needed when he got a new android was related to getting free wifi tethering that his carrier blocks.
    2.) He called Android handsets "inconsistent," and complained that they "don't look alike."
    2A.) The GUIs are not consistent...personally I don't like this, but every carrier has every GUI, and "different strokes for different folks". As for looking alike, they are made by numerous different companies that would all be suing eachother if they all looked alike. He might as well complain that Windows PCs are bad because netbooks look different than desktops.
    3.) He added, "the cheapest phones on the market this holiday will still probably be the Android phones - the very rock bottom cheapest."
    3A.) No, the cheapest phones will be those $8 phones that they sell at gas stations. Yeah...there are cheap android phones...and there are android phones that are $300 with contract...they are not competing in just ONE part of the smart phone market...and this is a GOOD THING!!!
    4.) And how does Windows Phone stack up? According to Ballmer it will attract consumers because the phones will look good and feel nice in your hand
    4A.) This is just silly...feels good in your hand? Who's hand? Does everyone have the same hands? Personally, the WinPho7 devices feel boxy and clunky in my hand...the curved back of an HTC Sensation 4G is far more comfortable.
    5.) Windows Phone is "putting your information front and center," instead of "seas of icons."
    5A.) Android puts your information on the lock screen...unlock it and you have access to whatever apps you use most at a single click. With Windows Phone 7, you have to unlock just to see your information, and then it takes extra steps to use your programs. As for the "seas of icons", they come from the vast collection of great android software that still hasn't been ported to Windows Phone 7.
    6.) Ballmer did have some compliments for Apple, even if they were a little backhanded. He said they were doing "some nice things" with the new Siri voice assistant for the iPhone 4S, but suggested Microsoft was doing the same things a year ago and had long since moved further.
    6A.) Siri is nothing but a bunch of 3-year-old android apps put into a single app, with a few jokes sprinkled in. Of course, he didn't mention the fact that the things Microsoft did a year ago were already two years old on Android...and that they didn't work on Windows Mobile.
    7.) According to Ballmer, when it comes to the competition for enterprise cloud services, Microsoft is "Winning, winning, winning, winning, winning."
    7A.) Why he would bring this up in a conversation about phones I don't really know...oh wait...yes I do...it is because windows phones are locked to crummy, broken MS cloud services that are run with the philosophy that if the user is losing, Microsoft must be winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining...
    That' better than just calling someone names. But you did not disprove what he said. He gave his opinion and you gave yours. What makes you think your opinion is more important than his??

    23.10.2011 07:24 #26

  • WierdName

    Originally posted by drhanaba: Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by drhanaba: I see everyone attacking him but none contridicting what he said. If he is wrong state why he is wrong
    A:
    B:
    C:
    D:
    I'd like to see all the reasoned thoughts!!
    I actually did post a reasoned response before I started making fun of the clown:

    Originally posted by KillerBug: I wouldn't say android is confusing, but I would say that it is inconsistent...there are too many different gui overlays and the base one is the best, yet most users don't even have that as an option. Bet if you need it in a list, here you go:
    1.) "You don't need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows phone"
    1A.) I had to laminate the instructions for using a scanner for my dad...he GLUED the instructions to the top of the scanner and has to read them every single time he scans something...but the only help he needed when he got a new android was related to getting free wifi tethering that his carrier blocks.
    2.) He called Android handsets "inconsistent," and complained that they "don't look alike."
    2A.) The GUIs are not consistent...personally I don't like this, but every carrier has every GUI, and "different strokes for different folks". As for looking alike, they are made by numerous different companies that would all be suing eachother if they all looked alike. He might as well complain that Windows PCs are bad because netbooks look different than desktops.
    3.) He added, "the cheapest phones on the market this holiday will still probably be the Android phones - the very rock bottom cheapest."
    3A.) No, the cheapest phones will be those $8 phones that they sell at gas stations. Yeah...there are cheap android phones...and there are android phones that are $300 with contract...they are not competing in just ONE part of the smart phone market...and this is a GOOD THING!!!
    4.) And how does Windows Phone stack up? According to Ballmer it will attract consumers because the phones will look good and feel nice in your hand
    4A.) This is just silly...feels good in your hand? Who's hand? Does everyone have the same hands? Personally, the WinPho7 devices feel boxy and clunky in my hand...the curved back of an HTC Sensation 4G is far more comfortable.
    5.) Windows Phone is "putting your information front and center," instead of "seas of icons."
    5A.) Android puts your information on the lock screen...unlock it and you have access to whatever apps you use most at a single click. With Windows Phone 7, you have to unlock just to see your information, and then it takes extra steps to use your programs. As for the "seas of icons", they come from the vast collection of great android software that still hasn't been ported to Windows Phone 7.
    6.) Ballmer did have some compliments for Apple, even if they were a little backhanded. He said they were doing "some nice things" with the new Siri voice assistant for the iPhone 4S, but suggested Microsoft was doing the same things a year ago and had long since moved further.
    6A.) Siri is nothing but a bunch of 3-year-old android apps put into a single app, with a few jokes sprinkled in. Of course, he didn't mention the fact that the things Microsoft did a year ago were already two years old on Android...and that they didn't work on Windows Mobile.
    7.) According to Ballmer, when it comes to the competition for enterprise cloud services, Microsoft is "Winning, winning, winning, winning, winning."
    7A.) Why he would bring this up in a conversation about phones I don't really know...oh wait...yes I do...it is because windows phones are locked to crummy, broken MS cloud services that are run with the philosophy that if the user is losing, Microsoft must be winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, winning, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining, whining...
    That' better than just calling someone names. But you did not disprove what he said. He gave his opinion and you gave yours. What makes you think your opinion is more important than his??
    Wait, so you want people to post a reasoned response then note yourself that Ballmer is giving an opinion? Then why are you saying KB isn't 'disproving' Ballmer's opinion? How is someone supposed to "state why he is wrong" if all he's giving is an opinion? You and my philosophy professor seem to agree that opinions are merely claims of value and can't be argued on, yet you seem to want an argument against Ballmer. I'm confused...

    Doesnt expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected and therefore mean youre expecting the expected which was the unexpected until you expected it?
    "Opinions are immunities to being told were wrong." - Relient K

    23.10.2011 18:12 #27

  • drhanaba

    Noted!

    24.10.2011 16:49 #28

  • xboxdvl2

    im old fashioned i love my nokia 2690.tryed answering an lg touchscreen had no idea how to (there was a forum post i made asking how to and got no reply).sony xperia and samsung galaxy phones were just as confusing.the iphone 4 seemed fairly simple to use.dont see the point in having a bunch of useless apps or updating facebook when im not at home.

    R.I.P. mr 1990 ford falcon.got myself a 1993 toyota corolla seems to run good.computers still going good.

    25.10.2011 07:53 #29

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