Small enough to be in a pocket
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke with Walt Mossberg at the All Things Digital Conference this week. Engadget has a nice collection of video highlights.In this clip, Ballmer makes a common mistake. Namely, he uses the smartphone as the point of comparison to the iPad. This is, of course, due to the iPad's physical resemblance to the iPod touch/iPhone and the fact that it runs the iPhone OS. But it's not a mobile device as Steve -- and many others -- define them. Specifically, smart phones and PDAs.
The correct point of comparison for the iPad is the laptop. It's not a full laptop replacement, of course. I wouldn't want to edit video on one, for instance. But that is Apple's aim: to commandeer the laps of millions of typical laptop users. Nearly everything that an average user does with a laptop, be it browsing the Web, sending and receiving email, looking at and sharing photos, watching videos and so on are the iPad's strengths.
When Ballmer says, "I think there is a fundamental difference between small enough to be in a pocket and not small enough, really, to be in a pocket," he's right, but he's also dismissing the iPad as a mobile device, and that's missing the point. Laptops aren't small enough to be in a pocket, yet they're a crucial tool for millions of users. To compare it to a iPod, Android device or Windows phone would be silly.
Don't let the iPad's looks fool you. It's not what we've come to think of as a mobile device.
You can watch the full clip after the break.
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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke with Walt Mossberg at the All Things Digital Conference this week. Engadget has a nice collection of...
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But the iPad can video-edit, using ReelDirector. In fact, I've video edited on the iPad, check it right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SawsqzfHI
June 06 2010 at 12:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe iPad is not mobile. The iPad is portable.
Mobile seems to me like you would carry it everywhere regardless of if you need it or not, while portable seems to me that you can take it where you will definitely need it.
But yeah, the iPad is a netbook killer, not a phone.
Jesus... Ballmer is so CLUELESS its great. Every year.... wherever he speaks... he gives us gems of backwards thinking... without fail!
And then a year... 2 years later... we all look back at his quotes and laugh even more.
Jobs never stated the iPad would replace the PC. He simply is pointing out the obvious... and that is how we get and will get our information in the future will not be a big clunky box sitting on a desk as it has been for the last 30 years. Times are changing, the way people give and receive information is changing, leaving the old school PC stuff in the rearview mirror. Whether its through portable devices, TVs, digital paper, sunglasses... who the hell knows... it will not be the same.. and the the PC as we know it will eventually die.
Good lord. This Ballmer guy is a piece of work. As smart as Bush and as certain as Cheney.
June 05 2010 at 8:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyComparing it to a smartphone is an attempted put-down. He is implying it isn't a "real" computer. Of course, he is a fool. He hates all new devices that challenge his monopolistic company to get off their butts and think.
June 05 2010 at 11:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDo you remember this earlier insightful prediction by IT industry expert Steve Ballmer?
"There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance." -- Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft.
-- as an expert authority Steve seems to have a perfect score: 0.0
Ballmer has never understood the market, the audience, or the technology, which explains Vista, Windows Mobile, IE7 & IE8 (Windows 7 is Vista with the most glaring mistakes removed, and no cache)
June 04 2010 at 8:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"You can watch the full clip after the break."
Why would I bother? Ballmer's a moron.
You missed the point of what Ballmer said. In his view there two classes of computing devices:
1. Fits in your pocket
2. Doesn't fit in your pocket
He classifies #2 as a PC and just calls the different versions "form factors". He classifies #1 as something different than a PC.
Please listen again to what he said before you write a whole article that is based on a misinterpretation.
Then head somewhere else! Bye!
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