Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Shareholders ask Ballmer about Apple
While Bill Gates looked on, Microsoft shareholders asked CEO Steve Ballmer about Apple at their annual meeting this morning. Steve's CEO-speak responses illustrate the larger problem.Portfolio reports that one investor asked about the company's reputation with young customers:
"I'm just wondering why your marketing group can't do something to try to rein in this next generation, because you've got a real bad image out there."He also said that Apple's ads make Microsoft look like "a buffoon." That's when the CEO-speak began.
"There's certainly always opportunities for improvement," Ballmer said. "[There is] ... a group of people with whom our market share is less."
When you hear "opportunity for improvement," you're screwed. Euphemistic language clouds meaning and hides the truth. Think "economic downturn" and "previously enjoyed" instead of "depression" and "used." Or "opportunity for improvement" instead of "problem."
Remember the Windows Mojave ads, in which producers tricked customers into thinking Vista was an unreleased version of Windows, only to then throw open the curtain and essentially say, "See? It's really Vista! You DO like it! There's nothing wrong here!"
Instead of telling people what they like, sanitizing language, insisting that the only reason the iPhone has 75,000 apps available is to make it usable on the Internet and denying your kids iPods, just say, "Our reputation with young people is poor and here's what we'll do about it." That's when you'll get something done.
[Via MacDailyNews]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
D said 9:31PM on 11-19-2009
Honestly, I've stopped preaching about how good Macs are to every Windows user. Let the Windows users live with their mediocre operating systems, frustrating system errors, ugly machines. It's their demise - they're stupid enough to not want to change or innovate.
If Windows don't listen to their customer base, they might as well close their doors.
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Jordan said 9:34PM on 11-19-2009
When was the last time Apple listened to its customer base? Tell me, are they still using those built in batteries?
This article didn't make sense to me. The last paragraph was good, but other than that I feel like Dave is trying to make something out of nothing.
Jacob said 10:19PM on 11-19-2009
I totally agree with you D. As a youthful member of society I make a pretty penny off of local computer repairs and really don't understand why p.c.s are still so popular. My next computer purchase will be a mac. Mainly because I want something that works. Sure I'll dual boot it with win7 too because I gotta give Microsoft credit for the rapid innovation compared to vista.
And Jordan, how can you honestly say apple doesn't listen to it's customer base??? The updates fore my touch just keep increasing it's quality and functions. I couldn't find a company that I have more faith in then apple.
Clark said 3:24PM on 11-24-2009
They are in a transitory period. Go back and see what Jobs said about Apple in the early days of his return. The bad days of Sys 9 or trying to use OSX from 10.0 - 10.2. Of course he'll obfuscate things.
However they are changing. Win7 is quite good. Is it as good as a Mac? No. But has it closed the gap? Hell yeah.
Yes their mobile strategy is a mess and has been for years. But let's be honest, before the iPhone WinCE didn't suck that much more than the alternatives. The iPhone revolutionized things and MS has never been good at revolutions. They have always seen what others have done and tried to copy it, but with greater attention to what the revolutionaries forgot.
Right now, as good as OSX is, it isn't an ideal Enterprise experience. Likewise the hardware is expensive. Those are two huge pluses. Yes WinCE sucks royally, but the ZuneHD is surprisingly good and will probably get better. No it's not an iPod Touch yet, but it's better than I expected. When they have a Zune based phone that learns from both Android and the iPhone they may have a good product.
So don't count them out yet. (Although MS misses Gates a lot I think)
darrell said 12:22AM on 11-20-2009
@Jordan
the non-removable batteries give macs 3-4 hours extra battery life. i don't think anyone is complaining.
Jordan said 12:51AM on 11-20-2009
@Darrell:
You're a complete idiot if you think that having a non-removable battery gives you more battery life.
If you are trying to say that the batteries in their computer have 7-8 hrs of battery life, you would be correct. But then I would have to point out all the PC laptops that have 7 hr battery life AND are removable and user replaceable.
Vega said 3:04AM on 11-20-2009
Actually you're the idiot. Changing to non-removable batteries went along with singificant increases in battery performance, because these batteries are can be and are bigger than the removable ones.
EGOvoruhk said 8:04AM on 11-20-2009
Are they not listening? It seems like they took all the constructive criticism about Vista, and created 7
If you think it's mediocre, well, that's your loss. It's honestly quite an OS
EGOvoruhk said 8:34AM on 11-20-2009
@Vega: They may have come at the same time, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Apple could have created a removable battery the same size as the non-removable, and it would offer just as much power/life. Of course then it would alter the aesthetics, but not the technology
Ken N said 10:52AM on 11-20-2009
Here, here!! As a FORMERLY committed Windows user and consultant of 20 plus years, I and my household is entirely Apple. Computers & phones. If someone wants to know, I'll extol the Apple way. Otherwise, let them wallow in their chosen world.
jonathan said 11:09AM on 11-20-2009
go ahead @Jordan. Name them.
and then show me which ones ACTUALLY live up to it.
then show me their design specs and size.
Dan Woods said 6:12PM on 11-21-2009
@Jordan
Since when have HP, Asus, Lenovo and Dell actually done any R&D of their own?
Tell me, are they still using NiCad Batteries which need to be replaced annually, or have the upgraded to LiPoly Batteries which retain their charge over thousands of cycles. Do they still use dumb-batteries, or have they got IC's controlling and maintaining each power cell to maximise longevity.
drumrobot said 10:19PM on 11-19-2009
What does he mean? Does iShoot make internet look good on the iPhone? Does a flashlight app make the iPhone look good?
Maybe it's the new version of JellyCar. Come to think of it, that app is definitely an attempt to make the internet look good on the iPhone... the High Scores section really takes the cake.
Ballmer just failed miserably. End of story.
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fabio said 10:21PM on 11-19-2009
thats it.
tuaw is no longer in my newsfeed list.
interesting stuff is usually 1 day later than other feeds.
and things that i see on tuaw first is mostly boring or too apple-fanboysh.
good by my friends, you used to be one of my favorite feed, but that was long time ago.
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dave said 10:28PM on 11-19-2009
Please explain your problem with my post. In detail. I'd like to know.
MSM said 10:44PM on 11-19-2009
fabio, we won't miss you.
balls said 2:11AM on 11-20-2009
I agree, TUAW is always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to news, but complaining that they're too "fanboyish?"
Really?
Its The Unofficial Apple Weblog. Of course fanaticism is to be expected.
Don't come here expecting to read objective criticism (or decent journalism for that matter). It's like complaining about the lack of MSFT products at the Apple store.
I think MSFT should replace Balmer with Dave, since he seems to have the exact winning strategy for "getting stuff done."
Apple has successfully marketed a lifestyle, that appeals to young kids.
Young kids also seem to love Twilight.
And the Jonas Brothers.
So, fuck them.
TIm said 3:06AM on 11-20-2009
Hey Dave,
as you were asking of what is wrong with the post. I think it is fanboyish and blind Microsoft-bashing for no reason whatsoever. I know there is people here that think this is funny or whitty .. I am not one of them.
I think it is pretty common marketing language and you managed to decipher it .. so actually Balmer is acknowledging the problem, just in his marketing language. That is something that everybody does (this silly language) and Apples Executives are especially good at it. So I really don't see the point where MS or Balmer did something bash-worthy or even something worth mentioning on an Apple blog, other then to initiate hate. I just think that is bad Karma and is what give the Apple Fanbase a snobby, dislikeable image in the public.
So to summaries. Nothing to talk about here other then blind MS bashing and I think that is childish and stupid.
T.
dagamer43 said 10:54PM on 11-19-2009
Honestly, when you consider that many Mac owners will purchase a copy of Windows for one reason or another, at full price, I'm not sure why there's reason to complain. A purchase of a Mac does NOT mean that a user will not purchase Windows or Office. In fact, if anyone is to be angry, it's PC OEMs, because a Mac purchase means that person is NOT buying a PC.
Again, shareholders seem to be forgetting that Apple is a hardware company, and Microsoft is a software company. You can sell software to multiple hardware vendors, but a hardware company wants you to buy their hardware and no one else's.
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Murphy Mac said 11:25PM on 11-19-2009
Even if it's not MOST Mac users as you suggest - the potential for ALL of them to buy Windows for their Mac is there, and Microsoft should be embracing that instead of slamming Macs. You're right, it makes NO sense.
Why did those commercials slam Macs instead of OS X ? NO sense. MS should be saying, "See that beautiful hardware? It runs Windows just fine. Go buy one."
That way MS could collect full retail instead of the OEM pricing. MS shareholders should ask some hard questions about this.