Microsoft's super-secret Mystery Event revealed

[*LTD*]

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsofts-mystery-event-revealed#comments

Earlier today, Microsoft announced it will be holding a mystery event for their latest project. This mystery meeting was revealed today by Ina Fried from Cnet.

The invitations were sent out to members of the press with the message “It’s time to share.”

The mystery meeting is to reveal their “Pure” and “Turtle” phones, part of Microsoft’s Project Pink. The Pure and Turtle are mobile phones but do not run Windows Phone 7 that will be released later on in the year. The devices are a replacement for T-Mobile Sidekicks, manufactured by Danger, a company Microsoft acquired. The phones will support the Windows Mobile operating system, but not Windows Phone 7 OS, and come feature packed with social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, including the Zune music service.

The Windows Phone 7 smartphones aren’t expected until the holiday season, an overhaul to Windows-based phones, featuring a Zune like interface.

The Pure and Turtle will both be slider phones, with touch screen and will go on sale within the month following the announcement on April 12. The devices will be offered through Verizon Wireless.

--------------------------

In other words, it'll be another underwhelming Microsoft non-event. I only posted this news because it might be good for a laugh.

 

[Love]

Oh, yes! I really need a Turtle. I am going to go out today to the Rogers store and buy myself a Microsoft Turtle.

 

[MisterMe]

...

Earlier today, Microsoft announced it will be holding a mystery event for their latest project. This mystery meeting was revealed today by Ina Fried from Cnet.

The invitations were sent out to members of the press with the message “It’s time to share.”

...

In other words, it'll be another underwhelming Microsoft non-event. I only posted this news because it might be good for a laugh.

Microsoft--yesterday's technology tomorrow!

 

[*LTD*]

http://www.neowin.net/news/more-than-just-pink-coming-on-april-12

There's other stuff coming as well:

We're also hearing that following the release of the latest Zune 4.5 firmware update yesterday, the rumoured 64GB Zune HD device will launch on April 12. The new model seems identical to the existing 16GB and 32GB Zunes but with a large increase in memory capacity.

Another model of the Zune, plus some software boredom.

 

[GSV]

What OS will these phones have if not WP7? WM 6.5? If so, what's the point?

 

[niuniu]

Ugly.. Microsoft really need to start hiring some hardware design talent

 

[maflynn]

Ugly.. Microsoft really need to start hiring some hardware design talent

That's the problem with MS. They're a software company trying to sell hardware. They've never really been successful at designing hardware. The only exception is the mouse and maybe the xbox.

 

[AV8TOR]

But the Turtle might have a built in Zune!

 

[jav6454]

That's the problem with MS. They're a software company trying to sell hardware. They've never really been successful at designing hardware. The only exception is the mouse and maybe the xbox.

They can't even design the X-Box. Look at all the failed units and the weight of an X-Box. Compare that to the small amount of failed PS3 units and take into account the PS3 just shrunk in size. Wii aside, MS is one failure of a company right now.

No, this is not from a fanboy, but as an investor who pulled out and put $ elsewhere (not in Apple). Think Intel's rival.

 

[chstr]

they just dont get it. it's too bad because a company like that could really drive innovation if they tried a little harder, but balmer is too bald and ugly to admit failure

 

[*LTD*]

they just dont get it. it's too bad because a company like that could really drive innovation if they tried a little harder, but balmer is too bald and ugly to admit failure

They're making money, though.

Then again, so is McDonald's.

 

[GFLPraxis]

They can't even design the X-Box. Look at all the failed units and the weight of an X-Box. Compare that to the small amount of failed PS3 units and take into account the PS3 just shrunk in size. Wii aside, MS is one failure of a company right now.

No, this is not from a fanboy, but as an investor who pulled out and put $ elsewhere (not in Apple). Think Intel's rival.

The really funny part about the XBox 360, when compared to the PS3, is that the XBox 360's power supply is external (and enormous! Volume-wise, almost as large as the Wii).

The PS3, meanwhile, has that power supply internally and is getting smaller and cheaper.

 

[Winni]

The really funny part about the XBox 360, when compared to the PS3, is that the XBox 360's power supply is external (and enormous! Volume-wise, almost as large as the Wii).

The PS3, meanwhile, has that power supply internally and is getting smaller and cheaper.

You conveniently forgot to mention that the PS3 is also losing features on its way. They just dropped the Linux support a few days ago - and for many people that was the -only- reason to buy a PS3.

 

[ravenvii]

... wow. That... is an epic failure.

I was expecting the Courier or something. But this...?

*facepalm*

 

[Melrose]

I don't think it's bad looking, on it's own merits. If it's functional and they can nail a good UI, the more power to them.

I highly doubt anything Microsoft does, software wise (no experience with an X Box so I can't speak on that). I hope it'll be good, I just have trouble putting any confidence in their abilities create quality that is either consistent or lasting.

 

[Winni]

MS is one failure of a company right now.

Sure. That must then explain why Windows 7 is selling better than sliced bread. Just in case you fanboys need a reality flash: More people have been using the Windows 7 Beta than there are people who actually use a Mac. That's pretty impressive for "a failure of a company". More than half of all the servers on the Internet run Windows Server, and the rest does not run OS X, they run Unix or a flavor of Linux. Again, an impressive amount for "a failure of a company."

And not to forget that there still is one billion PCs out there running Microsoft Windows, while there is only a fistful of Macs in comparison - and most of those current Macs ALSO have a copy of Windows installed on them in one way or another.

Microsoft OWNS the world wide corporate market on the desktop and even most parts of the data centers.

You must be living in a different reality if you call that "a failure of a company".

You can bet your pension that Microsoft will still be around and prosper when the world will have forgotten Apple. Steve Jobs won't be around forever, and without him Apple is just an empty shell.

 

[Melrose]

Sure. That must then explain why Windows 7 is selling better than sliced bread. Just in case you fanboys need a reality flash: More people have been using the Windows 7 Beta than there are people who actually use a Mac.

Bunny with a pancake on it's head. The reason Windows 7 has such a wide install base so quickly has more to do with overall market share than OS quality. Comparing Windows 7 installs to the entire Mac ecosystem of OS's is comparing apple to oranges.

On that note, it is markedly better than Vista, but then again that also only serves to (at least partially) explain the high upgrade rate.

I'm just curious, though, with Apple and the Macintosh OS making large gains in both domestic and international markets (not to mention the mobile music, video, gaming, and smartphone markets where it either dominantly leads or has secured a significant portion of the market) and Microsoft either falling flat or posting a loss in recent quarters, where, exactly, is this "reality" (as you say) that you live in where Apple an empty shell? Seriously, I'm really curious to know why you consider Apple's future to be so bleak ...because the way you talk right now, you don't make much sense.

 

[jaykk]

Sure. That must then explain why Windows 7 is selling better than sliced bread. Just in case you fanboys need a reality flash:

I know its off topic.

Everyone touts Win 7 as something magical. Did you even watch win 7 commercial ? All the actors in those commercial saying same thing - my old computer was crashing constantly, was worried about security etc., it was my idea etc.

Aren't they talking about constant crashes/security holes in windows XP/Vista since 95 % of the world uses one or other win software.

My company won't be switching to Win 7 anytime soon, so we are ok with XP. But as per Microsoft, we are using a substandard product. Won't they say same thing about win 7 when win 8 comes out?

 

[MisterMe]

Sure. That must then explain why Windows 7 is selling better than sliced bread. ...

OK, Sport, Daddy's coming. You see those Windows 7 sales are coming from pent-up demand to replace Windows Vista, XP, and older versions of the Microsoft OS. Unfortunately for the your heros in Redmond, there is some spillage. Some of the Windows installed base is switching to the Mac and Linux. As a result, the Windows share of the installed base continues to decline.

But you just wait, Sport. Nothing is as great as Windows. You just wait. They will come back. Daddy will make sure of it. I promise. Now say your prayers and go to bed. Daddy will turn out the light.

 

[*LTD*]

Sure. That must then explain why Windows 7 is selling better than sliced bread. Just in case you fanboys need a reality flash: More people have been using the Windows 7 Beta than there are people who actually use a Mac. That's pretty impressive for "a failure of a company". More than half of all the servers on the Internet run Windows Server, and the rest does not run OS X, they run Unix or a flavor of Linux. Again, an impressive amount for "a failure of a company."

And not to forget that there still is one billion PCs out there running Microsoft Windows, while there is only a fistful of Macs in comparison - and most of those current Macs ALSO have a copy of Windows installed on them in one way or another.

Microsoft OWNS the world wide corporate market on the desktop and even most parts of the data centers.

You must be living in a different reality if you call that "a failure of a company".

You can bet your pension that Microsoft will still be around and prosper when the world will have forgotten Apple. Steve Jobs won't be around forever, and without him Apple is just an empty shell.

Winni, your trolling is off today.

I should certainly hope Windows 7 is selling like crazy! it only took MS 8 years to make their lousy OS suck a little less this time around.

It's hundreds of millions of PC users waiting for the Vista nightmare to be over. What did you expect? Poor sales of Windows 7?? What are the alternatives offered by MS? XP and Vista. One is an 8+ year old dog of an OS, the other is a massive flop. That's hundreds of millions of PC users dying for an upgrade after years of getting the shaft. And Apple's Premium end of the market has natural barriers to entry, starting with the $1000 minimum fee. Apple doesn't compete in the market segments occupied mostly by MS. Of course, Apple is now transitioning away from the traditional desktop computer + desktop OS paradigm.

PC users outnumber all others, and always have, whether MS released a good OS or a lousy one - PCs are cheap and now more disposable than ever (netbooks.) The bottom of the retail pyramid is always the widest. The biggest computer-using segment uses PCs. Now throw in an OS that fixes Vista and by sheer force of numbers alone (volume) you'll have record sales.

There's no miracle here. Just the massive number of PC users who suffered for years, now jumping at the chance to upgrade. It's nothing new, miraculous or groundbreaking.

It makes no difference whether it succeeds or fails. PC users, by virtue of the low cost of entry into the PC market alone, will always outnumber users of all other platforms. Windows will always sell well, in whatever form, because it can run on the cheapest hardware - and this is what you find the most of. But now, we're seeing highly concentrated sales of a particular version (good news) because everyone was waiting to upgrade and end the XP/Vista pain, which lasted far, far too long.

Microsoft selling lots of copies of Windows to the lowest common denominator is nothing new, and certainly nothing to be really proud of, especially when the platinum end of the market (consumers with $$$ to spend) are busy buying Macs and other Apple products. MS is locked out of the Premium end and relegated to bottom-feeding. This is what Ballmer can't stand: Apple smacking Microsoft right into bargain-bin status. Yuck.

MS isn't a failure in terms of moving units. It can still sell crap to the ignorant, the uninformed, and those who just don't give a damn. MS is a failure in terms of its mindshare, reputation, and leadership position. A smaller, faster, leaner, and definitely meaner rival is dictating the pace of technological change, and doing so at an absolutely blistering pace. The darling of the tech world for a few years now has been Apple. MS is regarded as a lumbering dinosaur with little more to show for its so-called R&D (more like R&R) budget than continued $$ from its lucrative universal licensing racket. Microsoft is the laughingstock of tech, while Sony and Palm are slugging it out for runner up in this category. Sad.

 

[KeriJane]

"Project Pink"?

"Pure" and "Turtle"?

It's a belated April Fools joke, right?

This has just gotta be a misdirection, a red herring, a cunning sleight of hand by Microsoft to divert attention from their REAL Super-Secret Mystery Event.

Namely:

The Zune Phone!

,
Keri

 

[jpyc7]

"Turtle" is a terrible name for a phone. Makes me think it is slow. "Pure" seems okay as a name, on par with other phone model names.

 

[Consultant]

"Turtle" is a terrible name for a phone. Makes me think it is slow. "Pure" seems okay as a name, on par with other phone model names.

Maybe they are changing their slogan to: Microsoft, Pure Turd

 

[djellison]

But as per Microsoft, we are using a substandard product. Won't they say same thing about win 7 when win 8 comes out?

Apple do exactly the same thing - talking about all the 'improvements' from one OS to the next.

Oh - and those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones regarding product names. I don't think I've seen as much derision for the name of a product re: iPad since the Wii.

 

[roadbloc]

Just like I've said before, it's gooonah faiil!