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Mr Heliums · Oct 12, 2004, 03:20 PM

From today's Financial Times
Do not talk to Bill Gates about the delights of Apple's iPod portable music player or the magic of the TiVo digital television recorder.... any mention of the sleek "sexiness" of these new icons of consumer electronics, however, is likely to draw a sour response from Mr Gates.
"My living room today has a remote control for the DVD player, the satellite, the audio, the TV. To me, there's nothing very sexy about that," scoffs the Microsoft chairman. "It's completely confusing."
Then, for good measure, he delivers another swift kick to Apple's early success in digital music. "There's an interesting lesson from the PC market," he says. "They didn't give people choice in hardware [there either]" - a reference to Apple's continuing refusal to open up its iPod technology to other manufacturers.
Mr Gates is now ready for the latest stage of his own assault on the world's living rooms. At an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday he unveiled the third generation of the Media Center PC that Microsoft hopes will spearhead its push into home entertainment.
His criticisms of Apple and TiVo point to where Microsoft believes its own best chances lie. This is an all-purpose machine for storing, managing and accessing music, video and photos (only one remote control needed here). Also, Microsoft has banked on attracting a large number of hardware manufacturers to bring competition in the form of new features and lower prices.
"We run a very open environment - anyone can come in and play," says Mr Gates.[

Landos Mustache · Oct 12, 2004, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
"We run a very open environment - anyone can come in and play," says Mr Gates.[

That is even funnier then when Real says that

Ask Steve about the Tablet PC (the future of all PC's and why they are selling like hotcakes)

Mr Heliums · Oct 12, 2004, 04:05 PM

That's Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates in one week.

Always a good sign when Microsoft has a go at you. For the last six years Apple has just been patronised.

Superchicken · Oct 12, 2004, 04:10 PM

Yah, you know, I'm glad I can stick my Media Centre PC in my pocket, go to the gym and work out, or go blade around with my Trusty Media PC. By the way... choice... on hardware... well yah I've got that if I get a PC, but... software... hello? What happened to all those companies that made software for PCs that wasn't M$ made? Oh right, they killed it haha.

Then again I guess Bill can't really just go out with an iPod in his ears and leave his house, he probably would need iPods for each of his security guards.

ManOfSteal · Oct 12, 2004, 04:13 PM

Comical.

the_glassman · Oct 12, 2004, 04:17 PM

I do not want Bill Gates on my iPod! No Sir, just don't like the idea.

ManOfSteal · Oct 12, 2004, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by the_glassman:
I do not want Bill Gates on my iPod! No Sir, just don't like the idea.

I do not like Green Eggs & Ham...

mdc · Oct 12, 2004, 04:45 PM

the only reason bill and ballmer are so pissed off with the ipod success is because they can't cash in on it. how much praise would they be giving the ipod if apple let it play microsoft audio format (wma right?).

microsoft would flaunt their music store with "works on ipod". they would love that.

ironknee · Oct 12, 2004, 04:56 PM

i wonder what kind of music gates and ballmer listens to

Superchicken · Oct 12, 2004, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by ironknee:
i wonder what kind of music gates and ballmer listens to

I'm guessing White Power...

Mr Heliums · Oct 12, 2004, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by ironknee:
i wonder what kind of music gates and ballmer listens to

Well, AC/DC are the exclusive artists at the MSN music store for a month, so I imagine Ballmer headbangs to that.

Doesn't the thought leave you just a little bit queasy?

turtle777 · Oct 12, 2004, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
We run a very open environment - anyone can come in and play," says Mr Gates.

NO THANKS

-t

Beewee · Oct 12, 2004, 07:47 PM

They're asking this man about "sexiness", sleek design, and style?

What is that anyway...crisco?

MacGorilla · Oct 12, 2004, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
Well, AC/DC are the exclusive artists at the MSN music store for a month, so I imagine Ballmer headbangs to that.

Doesn't the thought leave you just a little bit queasy?

Too Much Information...BARF!!!!

Lancer409 · Oct 12, 2004, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by manofsteal:
I do not like Green Eggs & Ham...

i prefer green eggs and spam!

Lancer409 · Oct 12, 2004, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Beewee:
They're asking this man about "sexiness", sleek design, and style?

What is that anyway...crisco?

i wont comment on crisco .. i just wanna know what's up with the hair ... with all that money?!?

the_glassman · Oct 12, 2004, 08:37 PM

Yeah all those iPod users do is steal music anyway! Bloody pirates I tell you.

Xeo · Oct 12, 2004, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by Mr Heliums:
"My living room today has a remote control for the DVD player, the satellite, the audio, the TV. To me, there's nothing very sexy about that," scoffs the Microsoft chairman. "It's completely confusing."

Two words: universal remote. It's really amazing technology! You just buy this one remote for $15 and put the rest in a drawer! But then again, if it isn't MS branded, Bill probably disregards it.

the_glassman · Oct 12, 2004, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
Two words: universal remote. It's really amazing technology! You just buy this one remote for $15 and put the rest in a drawer! But then again, if it isn't MS branded, Bill probably disregards it.

Yeah, he could of bought or as usual stole one from Woz, he used to make some really kick ass remotes like 10 years ago! How hard is that to figure it out? **** my TV came with one like 8 years ago!

olePigeon · Oct 12, 2004, 09:05 PM

I don't get how he can be 85 pounds and still have a double chin. Weird, I tell ya. He's not human.

d4nth3m4n · Oct 12, 2004, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
I don't get how he can be 85 pounds and still have a double chin. Weird, I tell ya. He's not human.

macaddict0001 · Oct 12, 2004, 09:35 PM

Bill Gates On The iPod?
are you sure thats not
Bill Gates On Crack.

Ω · Oct 12, 2004, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
I don't get how he can be 85 pounds and still have a double chin. Weird, I tell ya. He's not human.

Must be from all the pies he eats

mac freak · Oct 12, 2004, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by _?_:
Must be from all the pies he eats

Oh my sweet jesus, that is incredible.

tavilach · Oct 12, 2004, 11:52 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
I don't get how he can be 85 pounds and still have a double chin. Weird, I tell ya. He's not human.

He doesn't...if you think skin under the chin is a double chin, then the whole world has double chins...

Stogieman · Oct 12, 2004, 11:55 PM

Yeah, he got owned�. Just like this guy.

MindFad · Oct 12, 2004, 11:58 PM

the_glassman · Oct 13, 2004, 12:01 AM

Yum!

Lancer409 · Oct 13, 2004, 12:18 AM

wow .. the news clip of him getting pied .. if you watch it in slow mo .. u can see him glaring with frosting on his face... poor billionaire ...

ort888 · Oct 13, 2004, 12:38 AM

And only one remote! Microsoft style. SEXY!

MilkmanDan · Oct 13, 2004, 08:45 AM

Poor Bill. He's just angry because no matter how much money he spends he can't make 'the next big thing.' I mean, look at the XBox. Still losing money.

macaddict0001 · Oct 13, 2004, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by MilkmanDan:
Poor Bill. He's just angry because no matter how much money he spends he can't make 'the next big thing.' I mean, look at the XBox. Still losing money.

I know microsofts allegedly even stopped throwing money its way.

Judge_Fire · Oct 13, 2004, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by ironknee:
i wonder what kind of music gates and ballmer listens to

http://www.joyoftech.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/590.html

J

Kenneth · Oct 13, 2004, 04:21 PM

If someone cares to listen to his keynote...

Linky

Mithras · Oct 13, 2004, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by Kenneth:
If someone cares to listen to his keynote...

Linky

Thanks. Oh my god he's a boring speaker though.
I'd like to see a Gates v. Jobs moderated debate -- that would be fun.

FulcrumPilot · Oct 13, 2004, 04:45 PM

I'd give anything to see the look on BillG's or Ballmers face when they hold an ipod in their hands.

Superchicken · Oct 13, 2004, 05:23 PM

I find it funny that with Netscape, and Google, and Sony all M$ has to do is produce a product that competes and market enough and they're convinced they'll win. With Apple it's different, they realize they won't win and that scares the crap out of em.

Stradlater · Oct 13, 2004, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by the_glassman:
I do not want Bill Gates on my iPod! No Sir, just don't like the idea.

d4nth3m4n · Oct 13, 2004, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by Stradlater:

ahaha! "hay guys, i have had my computer for a week and i think hotlinking is cool!"

now it works.

the_glassman · Oct 13, 2004, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Stradlater:

MacGorilla · Oct 13, 2004, 06:45 PM

In Before Lock�

Stradlater · Oct 13, 2004, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by the_glassman:

The pic was in reference to your syntax. What are your pics in reference to?

the_glassman · Oct 13, 2004, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by Stradlater:
The pic was in reference to your syntax. What are your pics in reference to?

The pic works fine for me on Camino.

hardcat1970 · Oct 13, 2004, 07:25 PM

i can't stand the guy, although i don't hate him. I just don't like the fact that he always think he is so visionary, but in fact he's not.

olePigeon · Oct 13, 2004, 10:17 PM

Anyone read Apple's Earnings report? 2 million plus iPods sold, 92% market share. I don't think people are worried too much about downloaded iTunes music (non converted or ripped to CD, of course) being only playable on their iPod and not the Rio in the back of the kitchen "junk drawer."

milhous · Oct 14, 2004, 01:17 AM

reality check. i don't understand how some can expect gates to always pay homage to something that doesn't tow the microsoft line regardless of its success. of course these reporters ask such questions just to piss him off, which if that's what they want to do, then so be it. if you were in gates' position, you'd be doing the exact same thing.

why would you want to praise a competitor's product when you have something to compete with it?

more power to apple with their recent ipod successes. i've got one of the originals and it's running great. clearly they're doing things right as there picking ipod over the many ms-based players.