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Topic: Hardware

Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

Summary: 'A Windows Phone gets things done.'

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says that people need to be 'computer scientists' to be able to use Android smartphones.

Speaking at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Ballmer had this to say when comparing Windows Phone handsets to Android handsets:

You don't need to be a computer scientist to use a Windows phone and you do to use and Android phone...It is hard for me to be excited about the Android phones.

He goes on to tear into the iPhone:

Both [the iPhone and a Windows Phone handset] are going to feel very good in your hand and both going to look very beautiful physically ... but when you grab a Windows phone and use it ... your information is front and centre ... and you don't have to scroll through seas of icons and blah blah blah. A Windows Phone gets things done.

Android users, fire away!

Topics: Hardware, CXO, Microsoft

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64 comments
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  • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

    Guess he had to get his shot in before the unveiling of the prettier, more intuitive Android 4.0. Besides, this guy has been wrong about so much I don't even know why his opinion matters. What did he say about the iPhone when it came out?
    mod_tod
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @mod_tod <br><br><i>"What did he say about the iPhone when it came out?"</i><br><br>What did he said about Wp7 when it came out?

      Hint: Wrong on both accounts.
      Return_of_the_jedi
      Reply Vote

      • Ballmer quote

        @Return_of_the_jedi ... "There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It's a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I'd prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get."

        - Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on the iPhone, April 2007


        And some more:

        "Google is an advertising company. Apple is a hardware company. They're one-trick ponies." [USA Today]

        "my 85-year-old uncle probably will never own an iPod, and I hope we'll get him to own a Zune" [USA Today]

        "I'm going to f---ing bury that guy, I have done it before, and I will do it again. I'm going to f---ing kill Google." [Sydney Morning Herald]
        HollywoodDog
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @mod_tod
      what can you expect from a guy with IQ below 50?
      The Linux Geek
      Reply Vote

      • Do us all a favor and give an example:)

        @The Linux Geek ... Sorry dude but based on past comments from you I could not resist. Talk about a classic set up and you did it to yourself!

        Pagan jim
        James Quinn
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @mod_tod .....did he/Balmer get that line from Loverock Davidson? ......It sure sounds like something Lovie would spew dosen't it?
      Linux_Lives
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

    One word. Clueless.<br> <br><br>That explains why Ballmer doesn't use one.
    <br>PS. I know some folks who own/use android phones.<br>Believe me as I tell you, they are no scientists.
    Return_of_the_jedi
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @Return_of_the_jedi wrote:<br>"I know some folks who own/use android phones. Believe me as I tell you, they are no scientists.<br><br>And, neither are you. They are the ones that install malware-laden apps from Google's Android Market onto their devices. Or don't realize that their devices are vulnerable because they have not yet received a firmware update from the device mfr or carrier.<br><br>Funny how Microsoft and Google have traded places in the mobile device world.
      Rabid Howler Monkey
      Reply Vote

  • Whatever

    What do you expect Ballmer to say?
    WP7 is flailing in the market.

    Steve must have missed the fact that Android activations are blowing away the competition. There must be alot of computer scientists out there.
    Tim Patterson
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @Tim Patterson

      "What do you expect Ballmer to say?
      WP7 is flailing in the market."

      I'd at least expect a somewhat realistic statement about the current market and then a rosy future trend for WP7. What we got was Ballmer being typical Ballmer. This guy needs to NEVER say anything in public.
      benched42
      Reply Vote

      • That was realistic. I do nothing but &quot;make right&quot; Android phones

        @benched42
        here at work.

        The people using them don't have a clue, and every week another Android phone developes an issue.

        And that is the truth. Period.
        William Farrell
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

    Agree with ballmer, android UI is quite complicate and hard to use for early adopter.
    However, considering android can do almost anything, i'll stick to android.
    Lghost
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @Lghost <br><br><i>"Agree with ballmer"</i><br><br>That makes two of you. Hence the number of WP7 sales.
      Return_of_the_jedi
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

        @Return_of_the_jedi

        Except the guy you replied to owns and Android pohone and expressed his desire to keep it.
        dsf3g
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

        @Return_of_the_jedi What are you trying to prove?
        Lghost
        Reply Vote

  • My 63 year old Mom's

    Very firrst smart phone was a Droid2. She has very basic computer skills, like launch a web browser and check her Gmail, very basic. She has had no problem with Android. Has had that pho9ne for a year now. Not quite sure why everyone thinks Android is so complicated. Most people just turn their smart phone on & use it. Most don't root it & unlock it & reprogram it. Maybe if that is what you do, Android is complicated. If you just use it, it just works & is simple. My Droid2Global works great and I have never had any problems or issues using it. What is so complicated about Android?
    tgschmidt
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

    [i]Android users, fire away![/i]
    So ZDNet promotes flamewars now?

    Anyway, Steve Ballmer is right. People love seeing information on the main screen which is why WP7 has an advantage over its competitors right now. I won't be long before the others take this same idea and run with it but for now WP7 gives you the data you are looking for without having to do anything. You can see that android doesn't fall far from the linux tree when it comes to operating the phone. Its pretty much like linux, a lot more configuring than necessary.
    LoverockDavidson_-24231404894599612871915491754222
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

      @LoverockDavidson_ Er, widgets?
      Aerowind
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

        @Aerowind

        Exactly what went through my mind.
        dsf3g
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Ballmer: Android users need to be 'computer scientists'

        @Aerowind Another reason i stay with android.
        But, my aunt and my elder sister find it quite hard to operate android. And i test with WP7, iphone and android, wp7 UI indeed are the most simple and straight. It should be easily for every early smartphone adopters.

        But i need to stress that i only talking about the UI simplicity, usability and freedom of customize were not include on my consideration. I only agree what Ballmer's point (although it seems too extreme) about android UI.
        Lghost
        Reply Vote
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