Microsoft exec dismisses iPhone sales numbers
updated 03:35 pm EDT, Thu October 23, 2008
MS exec on iPhone sales
People should not be too impressed by sales figures for the iPhone, argues a Microsoft executive. Robbie Bach, who operates the Entertainment & Devices Division which produces Windows Mobile, says that while Apple's quoted shipments of almost 6.9 million iPhones are certainly impressive, the true test of the product will be if it can maintain sales momentum over the long term. The fact that Apple outsold chief rival Research in Motion in the last quarter is not as important as it might initially appear, Bach notes.
"Apple had a big launch of a new product, and they launched at scale in a lot of new countries with a lot of new operators," he says. "This quarter, RIMM [sic] is having its big launch, and at some point we’ll have our big launch. We’ll have to see where things normalize."
RIM is preparing the American launch of the BlackBerry Bold for November 4th, and the release of the touchscreen-based BlackBerry Storm for sometime this fall.
Apple also faces an inherent market limit to iPhone sales, Bach suggests, mainly because carriers prefer to have several kinds of phones on sale to cater to different preferences. "Does AT&T like having iPhone on its network? Sure. But they want to have balance in that ecosystem, where there’s three or four big partners," says Bach. "That’s why we’re so attactive to them -- because we work with Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, HTC, Motorola. Don’t get me wrong, the iPhone is a cool device. But it’s not about choice."
Chewbacca Defense...
10/23, 03:51pm reply
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chewbacca. Chewbacca is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk. But Chewbacca lives on the planet Endor. Now think about it; that does not make sense! Why would a Wookiee, an eight-foot tall Wookiee, want to live on Endor, with a bunch of two-foot tall Ewoks? That does not make sense! But more important, you have to ask yourself: What does this have to do with this case? Nothing. Ladies and gentlemen, it has nothing to do with this case! It does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!
WiseWeasel
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Joined: Apr 1999
Okay, let's wait
10/23, 03:54pm reply
So later, should Apple's numbers prove out, will we hear again from this person or will he somehow be MIA?
jmonty12
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Joined: Jun 2003
Monkey see...
10/23, 04:02pm reply
...monkey dance...
bobolicious
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Joined: Aug 2002
MS Knows...
10/23, 04:03pm reply
What is more impressive is the fact that over half of the new AT&T subscribers were buying the iPhone.
Microsoft should know about maintaining sales momentum, I mean just look at the Zune.....
What was the number of XBox 360's shipped WITHOUT the red ring of death?
Roehlstation
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Joined: Aug 2001
It's not about choice?!
10/23, 04:11pm reply
"But it’s not about choice."
I chose iPhone. I chose. I bought the iPhone. STFU.
George3
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Joined: Jul 2008
Ahhh...
10/23, 04:14pm reply
I love the smell of desperation in the morning!
jpellino
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Joined: Oct 1999
Android, the final nail..
10/23, 04:15pm reply
First RIM. Now Apple. Next, Android.
Android is going kill Windows Mobile, further removing any significance Microsoft had in the mobile space, in both US enterprise and consumer markets. Buh bye!
Wonder why Microsoft never says anything about Google's OS, which will begin appearing on the same devices Windows Mobile is designed for?
mjtomlin
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Joined: Oct 1999
stench o' fear
10/23, 04:23pm reply
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
sribe
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Joined: Jan 2003
Robbie?
10/23, 04:26pm reply
Hey Robbie, denial ain't a river man. WFT is wrong with you? Oh, sorry, stick your head back in the sand! Yes, I'm sure Apple will probably disappear completely in what, 3 more months? Bhwaaa haaaa haaaaa!
danangdoc
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Windows Mobile
10/23, 04:29pm reply
For years RIM, Windowz Mobile, Palm (irrelevant now) all coasted along thinking they were the best and failed to innovate , failed to provide the user with the best they could .. they all relied on the fact that they thought they were king of the hill.
Now Apple innovates and they are all scrambling to catch up and do the R&D and development that they should have been doing for years.
As a user who has owned a few Windows Mobile devices over the years ... THEY DONT GET IT ! iWindowz Mobile is simply a cluster FXMSMK compared to the Iphone operating system (even with it's current draw backs)
russellb
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Joined: Sep 2001