Microsoft fans flames with non-response to iPhone-alike rumor
There’s a reason most companies have a policy against responding to rumors and speculation. When a company responds to a rumor with PR-speak it simply spawns more speculation. Of course sometimes that’s exactly what a company wants to do — fan the flames, keep the hype going, etc. If we were betting men (and a woman), we’d say this just so happens to be one of those times. Yesterday the Journal ran a rumor that Microsoft and Verizon were in the kitchen cooking up a handset to combat the iPhone. In a nutshell, Microsoft was said to be tweaking its OS with a multimedia focus, assisting with the design and that a third party would be building the handset. Microsoft’s official response: “Microsoft is not going into the phone hardware business.” Right then. While the rumor does suggest Microsoft would be assisting with the design of the handset, it puts Microsoft on the software side of the project for the most part. This hardly suggests Redmond is getting into the “phone hardware business”. So there you have it folks — Microsoft might be working with Verizon and using its Danger resources to develop a handset and modified OS that attack the iPhone on all fronts, but its not getting into the phone hardware business. Microsoft’s full response:
Microsoft is not going into the phone hardware business. Microsoft is not building a Zune-specific phone. We’re deepening our relationships with our hardware partners in order to create even better performing phones that are competitively priced, have the features people want, that are easy-to-use and just downright lust-worthy. The upcoming availability of Windows Mobile 6.5 software will enable our OEM partners to build even more compelling devices in a wide-range of form factors for customers around the world.
im on flame as we speak!
but…not too upset as to me, my omnia with spb 3 (now more customizable) is an iphone (and gphone) killer
I wish Microsoft would just jump in the ring already so I hope this is true.
well people have been beta testing windows 7 mobile for a long time already. they should put out something decent to show it off.
Microsoft and windows mobile is done! Its either Palm pre and webos or iphone. Blackberries They to need a os overhaul.
Andriod and cupcake is just plain garbage.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: New York United States
WM7 is DOA and MS knows it.
This would just be interesting to see. I doubt that it would com close to being a true iPhone competitor, let alone an iPhone killer, but it would still be interesting to see what they come up with.
On a side note, why are bloggers and the media so apt to call every new device an iPhone killer? Competition perhaps, but killer, no. I doubt that any company truly thinks that their next device is going to dethrone the iPhone. I think the only real iPhone killer is the iPhone itself. Eventually, the iPhone will go the way of the RAZR and then Apple will have to come up with something new.
when will microsoft see?
MicroSoft would never make a phone because before they make a phone they would have to make their own MS brand laptops/desktops. Neva gonna happen.
M$ with the white flag
Actually an MS spokesperson attempted to respond to these rumors, but her PC froze up.
Eh, this isn’t really ‘news’ its a reiteration of what we knew.
It was always about the software. MS supposedly had a model phone that they were shopping around with the ‘pink’ entertainment software but it would still be up to another company to take what they wanted or could do from the phone.
im really loving all these verizon rumors
iphone
ipad
zunish phone
moto calgary (android)
I’m always hoping that these companies push new products out. If anything its better overall for the consumer as it does stimulate competition. The i phone is great. Its encouraged lots of companies to think of mobile platforms as the new “it” item. Microsoft just happens to be a big company….I’m sure there’s a lot of companies that would hope that they fail. I just don’t think that’s gonna happen yet with 80% of the computer market relying on their operating system. Who knows this “pink” whatever it might be could change things again…let’s be optimistic about the future folks….its not written in stone….
I’m a PC!
90 + % of the market.
IMaPC
This can’t be true. Putting software on third-party hardware is what Microsoft DOES. There is no way they are going to jeopardize that giant chunk of change.
You are such an ignorant TOOL!
Go peddle your Warez on the corner, maybe some old man will purchase what you have to offer, on the cheap!
Great!
but let’s focus on creating the best, different, newest, what have you, for the sake of making the best not overcoming a competitor
Microsoft can’t build decent software to save their life. They need to focus on their crappy OS(Vista). Oh, thats right, they are working on something new, Windows 7 (Vista with lipstick).
Badge engineering. Change the name, but the crap is really the same. By the way this includes Blackberry phones. Always a new headset with a new name but is it really different then the last?
Windows 7 seems to be getting pretty good reviews from what I’ve read, my brother runs it on his old desktop with no problems. You should try things before you bash them, unless maybe you are just a troll…
@alex:
And that’s not all for Verizon–don’t forget the LiMo device coming in 4th quarter! I believe LiMo Foundation themselves leaked the fact that VZW was launching a LiMo device this year.
Microsoft needs to commit to a mobile phone product or get out of the business. Leaning on the mantra “We’re just a software company, not hardware” is untrue and an indication Redmond is unwilling to commit, but doesn’t have the fortitude to leave the market… its indecision.
Where MS has committed they have done very well. In example when they got into the platform gaming industry (Hardware too) they sold and still sell the hardware at a loss. It’s debatable if they dominate the platform gaming industry, but no one can say they are not a competitive player.
As the App Store recently had its billionth sale, hopefully the sleeping giant that is Microsoft is rousing. They need to commit and sell an ultra high end phone they lose money on. Sell a phone that has ZERO “Value-added” crapware from the provider as a flagship example of what WinMo can do. Or they can keep watching share in the space dwindle and slowly die off.
@AgBand who said: “why are bloggers and the media so apt to call every new device an iPhone killer? Competition perhaps, but killer, no. I doubt that any company truly thinks that their next device is going to dethrone the iPhone. I think the only real iPhone killer is the iPhone itself.”
Excellent point, indeed! Why do bloggers feel the need to dumb-down their readership by softballing headlines with X-Phone-Killer status? Even as low as bloggers can be, they’re only digging their own grave with this show of complete amateurism.
@AgBand who also said: “Eventually, the iPhone will go the way of the RAZR and then Apple will have to come up with something new.”
Because of the App Store and developer buy-in in addition to Apple’s frequent updating of the platform, I could not disagree more. If your statement is focused on the hardware design, you may have a point, but to say that the device (in any form) will go the way of the Dodo, is far off the mark, IMO.
MS doesn’t have the steam or interest in -successfully- going head-to-head with Apple, which is a shame and a reality. If MS developed a new mobile platform which supported Enterprise as well as consumer’s media desires, I’d be interested to follow it, but I hold serious reservations that they have enough fire in their belly.