Sure, we've had a lot to say about Apple's iPhone announcements yesterday but what does Steve Ballmer think? Ballmer is the CEO of Microsoft (a small software company based in Washington state), and during Mix '08 he was asked about the iPhone SDK, ActiveSync, and if Silverlight (Microsoft's Flash-like web technology) will make an appearance on the iPhone.Ballmer said that Silverlight on the iPhone is interesting, but hasn't been discussed much with Apple. He, of course, welcomed Apple's use of ActiveSync (hey, Microsoft likes money), and he hinted that the 30% cut that Apple is taking in the App Store might be a little high.
[via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-07-2008 @ 11:38AM
Unregistered said...
30% is relative..
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3-07-2008 @ 11:55AM
Sabon said...
WHY are you guys still listening to this idiot?
Other than screaming like an idiot he has done pretty much nothing to help Microsoft since he became CEO (Vista - cough cough).
None of his "visionary" comments have been accurate (he would be thrilled if his percentage was as good as baseball players').
Name something important he has been right about. Once you are done exhausting yourself the next step is to start ignoring him. It works really well.
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3-07-2008 @ 12:16PM
Sam said...
Ok, well, that 'idiot' your referring to is the CEO of one of the largest tech companies in the United States. Their software products have 90+ % marketshare and are involved in music, gaming, wireless devices and web design.
I don't think Vista is entirely Ballmer's fault. It's project goals were way to big and that's what ultimately doomed it. Especially the WinFS debacle.
You could say he's been right about 'developers'.
haha
3-07-2008 @ 12:17PM
Luigi193 said...
Yeah, don't be an ignorant fanboy...
At least he's a bit more down to earth, if you watch the video, he does an oncore monkey!!!
3-07-2008 @ 12:35PM
Sabon said...
Sam - all this happened years before Bill Gates moved aside and he took over. Name one major good effect he started or that he had a major role in.
I don't care how big his company is. He had nothing to do with it.
I don't back down from my statements. He still is clueless and is mainly known for his spastic rants.
3-07-2008 @ 2:59PM
phlavor said...
@ Sam
There are lots of stupid people in charge of things. I'm not calling Balmer an idiot. The jury's still out on that one for me. But don't automatically assume that because someone has a high level position or that they are in charge of a lot of money that they are intelligent, wise, knowledgeable or even competent. Conversely, don't assume that because someone washes dishes for a living that they can't quote great literature while kicking your ass at chess.
3-08-2008 @ 7:31PM
giuliop said...
Ballmer _is_ an arrogant, clueless idiot. He just happened to stick around with the right people at the right time.
And now he happens to be in a position where what he does doesn't matter in the least, because Microsoft is a wheel that keeps spinning out of inertia.
In fact, lots of things that Microsoft did in the past few years, and is doing now, are losing money, and they are able to do that because the Operating systems and Office divisions sell so well that any loss, however big, becomes a drop in the ocean.
And mind you, the OSs sell well because a copy is included in every PC, and Office sells well because the industry is too tied to it; all this without any effort on the part of Microsoft.
3-07-2008 @ 12:03PM
jchull said...
My buddy gives up 40% to distribute Treo apps, and you have to give up your pride to do windows mobile apps.
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3-07-2008 @ 12:10PM
moo083 said...
I don't get it. The Xbox 360 Arcade splite is 30/70. Exactly like the iPhone. And there were rumors that they were taking a larger cut than 30 soon. So how can Ballmer say that 30% is too much for Apple to take?
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3-07-2008 @ 12:12PM
superberg said...
That "30% is too much" comment is funny, considering they just doubled the cut they'll take from many XNA developers' profits.
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3-07-2008 @ 12:12PM
Gordraf said...
"$500 dollars?!/1//?"
As if this guy's opinion means anything at this point.
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3-07-2008 @ 12:14PM
MacChulo said...
This guy must be in Crack
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3-07-2008 @ 12:21PM
Leaf said...
Honestly, who really cares what Ballmer thinks about the iPhone? Apple is (and has been) stealing Microsoft's mojo left and right. MS may still dwarf Apple in financially, but in terms of cool factor, Apple is the BMW to Microsofts' Buick. Ballmer is way too biased to offer anything useful.
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3-07-2008 @ 12:35PM
Jakob said...
If Ballmer just was a crazy man, who loved to jump around he would NOT be CEO of the world largest software company.
But yes he's a little crazy sometimes :D
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3-07-2008 @ 12:57PM
Sabon said...
How sure are you. Microsoft is so arrogant about its position in the industry that they believe they can have a monkey running things and still win. It worked for awhile but things aren't looking as good as they used to.
3-08-2008 @ 7:35PM
giuliop said...
How naive you are...
3-07-2008 @ 12:53PM
krye said...
I can't believe they left that psycho in charge. I think he needs to be heavily medicated.
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3-07-2008 @ 1:23PM
Mack said...
Someone needs to tell Steve that if Microsoft are willing to put Silverlight on the iPhone for free - then Apple will manage the distribution and updates to every iPhone in the world for nothing. It all depends on how hungry Microsoft are to make Silverlight a success on mobile devices.
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3-07-2008 @ 1:24PM
Mack said...
Someone needs to tell Steve that if Microsoft are willing to put Silverlight on the iPhone for free - then Apple will manage the distribution and updates to every iPhone in the world for nothing. It all depends on how hungry Microsoft are to make Silverlight a success on mobile devices.
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3-07-2008 @ 1:59PM
Johnny said...
I always wonder when people talk about Flash on the iPhone why that would be Apple's responsibility when it is an open platform. What is to keep someone from creating an alternative browser that will support flash (if it is possible and Apple will allow it)? What would keep Microsoft from creating Silverlight for iPhone if they want?
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