I’m no Microsoft cheerleader or fanboi (though I am a former Microsoft MVP). But, after reading reports like this one in All Things D about Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer seemingly trying to placate notebook and tablet hardware partners, I had to vent. And, since Ballmer often gives out his email address and tells people he reads his own email, I figured, why not send it to the man himself.
Ballmer: “Surface Is Just a Design Pointâ€
I’m not convinced that the Surface RT (Windows 8 ARM based hybrid tablet-notebook) will be a success. But, it does look interesting and generated more buzz than Microsoft has seen in a long time. We still don’t know key information like availability date, price, performance, and battery life. However, none of Microsoft hardware partners seem to be producing anything half as interesting. So, I told him that it was the wrong message to send partners who had designed failures in the Tablet PC, UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC – aka “Origami”), and netbook categories for the past decade. I suggested these four points should be the message sent to these underwhelming hardware partners.
- Do nothing and let Apple keep winning.
- Keep producing the same crap you’ve been designing since the Tablet
PC days. And, oh yeah, let Apple keep winning. - Make an Android tablet. Oh yes, you’ve already tried that. How’s
that working out for you? Apple seems to be winning. - Look at the Surface RT, make something better, and maybe, just
maybe, take the game to Apple for a change.
If other bloggers can make for days of blog articles over terse responses from the late Steve Jobs, I figured I might as well make something out of my three word response from Steve Ballmer: Thanks good input. It may not be much. But, he didn’t tell me to buzz off 🙂
I’m not surprised at the response at all. Well, a little. It was more than I expected. MS has always had a symbiotic relationship with it’s hardware partners. Whether SteveB wants to or not, he can’t go publicly slamming those folks, and anything in bits on the internet is at most one click from being public. I for one am looking forward to the Surface, as it appears to a heck of a device. I think producing it is essentially telling the ‘partners’, step up, or step out. It’s better than words. 😉
He didn’t tell you to buzz off; but I still think he’s clueless. I don’t mean to be ugly here, but his, “Thanks good input,” is very Jobsian in style.
Microsoft spent a lot of money creating its MVP program. Though it recently ditched a great deal of it for something else, they have a bad habit of not listening to any of them, thinking they know better than the people they nurtured into SME or expert status with their products and ecosystem.
Personally, I think he should call you and have a serious conversation about what you, a former MOBILE MVP (an area where Ballmer really does have a HUGE problem) and ask your advice. Heck… I’m available too. 😛