Newsweek predictions for 2010: #9 Microsoft pushes out Steve Ballmer

[Cmax]

As a former MS fanboy, I thought that somewhat interesting.

The Harvard Business Review ranked Steve Jobs as the best performing CEO over the past decade (or since 1997 in his case). By comparison, Newsweek noted over the past decade, Steve Ballmer “missed every big new tech market” and watched MS stock drop “by nearly 50 percent on his watch”.

Is there an "Obvious" tag I can use here? Oh wait, I found one ... http://wp.appadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/steve-ballmer.jpg

Source:
http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/tech-predictions/Microsoft-Pushes-Out-Steve-Ballmer.html

 

[zap2]

I actually never thought about the possibility of that...honestly, not unreasonable, although I think I would have done it a while back...Windows 7 is looking up, Zune HD got great reviews, Xbox 360 is doing pretty well...WM isn't selling so great, but WM 7 coming up, there is hope.


Not the best, but I'm not sure I'd kick him to the curb considering the changes we've seen from MS recently

 

[GoCubsGo]

I almost doubt this to be honest for the reasons noted above. Then again, if Newsweek said so and printed it then it must be true.

 

[Cmax]

Not the best, but I'm not sure I'd kick him to the curb considering the changes we've seen from MS recently

Actually, I do owe a debt of gratitude to Steve Ballmer, as in if it weren’t for Windows Vista -- I never would have switched to a Mac. So, I too hope the MS stockholders don’t kick him out on the curb as you say or as Newsweek might speculate.

On the other hand, consider after losing the appeal to continue selling MS Word and Office in 2010, seems to me yet another one of his failures as CEO of Microsoft.

Taking one step forward then two steps back is no way to run a technology business (IMHO).

 

[zap2]

On the other hand, consider after losing the appeal to continue selling MS Word and Office in 2010, seems to me yet another one of his failures as CEO of Microsoft.

Yes, thats a big negative, but I question if he was really the guy who made the call to use the tech which the suit is over?

Also, the end result will likely be MS paying out...something they are used to

Taking one step forward then two steps back is no way to run a technology business (IMHO).

I agree, but many of the mistakes at MS were done before he was CEO(Vista being the worst), and he has to clean them up.

 

[djellison]

What were their predictions for 2009.

 

[ArrowSmith]

2010 is Ballmer's "make or break" year. It has to be double flawless victory, or he's a goner. The first key milestone is late January when MSFT announces 2nd quarter results and how well Win7 has done.

 

[bossxii]

If MS ever wants to gain any respect, ever.... SB needs to go. I think he's probably one of the top 3 idiots I've ever seen in a CEO role doing an interview. He has no vision, no sense of what people want and tries to come off like he doesn't care what the competition is doing. Hell part of Apple's success is due to his lack of any original idea's in competing with Apple as they keep innovating and making "new" original products.

Clearly copying the Apple store's is his best attempt to fight the competition, and the Zune? or Zune HD? forget which just came out gets zero press. I don't even recall ever seeing a TV commercial for it, I don't search the web for MS related blogs but it seems the giant that is MS has been asleep for some time. I guess Bill has more money they he or his kids, kids, kids, kids (lol) could ever spend so just figured it didn't matter who he left in charge.

SB out in 2010... probably deserves the boot, but I hope he stays on for the simple fact my Apple stock keeps going up with no real innovative competition to worry about!

 

[agl82]

There's no way Ballmer is going anywhere any time soon. Up until the recession hit, Microsoft was enjoying their best financial results in years. The Xbox 360 is a massive success. The Wii took everyone by surprise, but Microsoft hit a home run with Xbox Live and Netflix integration. The gaming community is second to none and the media integration is fantastic.

Windows 7 is an absolutely fantastic operating system and bests Mac OS X in several key areas. Apple fanboys will disagree, but what else is new. What matters is that Windows 7 has already eclipsed the entire installed base of Mac OS X in a few weeks and it's getting rave reviews, even from Walt Mossberg and David Pogue. It became the largest pre-order in history on Amazon.com. Additionally, Windows has turned around early Linux penetration on netbooks to capture over 90% of sales. Microsoft Office 2010 looks fantastic, and Sharepoint has become an essential collaboration tool for corporations.

The Zune HD is the most gorgeous PMP ever designed, and while sales aren't Earth-shattering, it has finally rewarded Zune loyalists with something that bests the iPod in terms of industrial design and UI. The only weak point for Microsoft right now is Windows Mobile. I think that Microsoft should completely abandon this platform and stick a 3G radio inside the Zune. To be honest, I think Google Android and the iPhone have the best chance of long-term success. However, flip-phones and other "dumb phones" will continue to make up the majority of handsets for the next few years.

These are only my opinions of course, and I fully expect to be flamed by anti-Microsoft stooges. I still don't understand why so many Apple users are still so virulently anti-MS. Like Steve Jobs said, it's not a zero-sum game. I use Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. They're all good and bad. Variety is the spice of life. Merry Christmas.

 

[XNine]

snippy

I'll have to disagree with you in several areas. While Windows 7 is a really good OS, the only area that it really bests OS X is in the gaming field. Everywhere else it's pretty similar to OS X, or lacks functionality such as an iLife suite, or a good Disk Utility onboard the OS itself. However, it's very fast, sleek, and does very well at multi-tasking. The fact that you don't have to rummage around for drivers anymore is a big plus as well. I think Windows 7 is the best Windows yet by far. In fact I'm using it right now.

The Zune is a fail. Sorry, but there's no way it will ever compete directly with the iPod. The iPod wasn't the first MP3 player, but it was the first to do MP3's right.

The Xbox may be successful in some areas, but you have to remember it also has a 54% failure rate. That doesn't scream success either. I'm sure there are tons of them out there, but I went through 3 of the damn things myself (all under warranty) and said enough is enough.

Personally, I think Ballmer needs to get his **** together if he wants to stay CEO....

And a merry christmas to you

 

[bossxii]

There's no way Ballmer is going anywhere any time soon. Up until the recession hit, Microsoft was enjoying their best financial results in years. The Xbox 360 is a massive success. The Wii took everyone by surprise, but Microsoft hit a home run with Xbox Live and Netflix integration. The gaming community is second to none and the media integration is fantastic.

Windows 7 is an absolutely fantastic operating system and bests Mac OS X in several key areas. Apple fanboys will disagree, but what else is new. What matters is that Windows 7 has already eclipsed the entire installed base of Mac OS X in a few weeks and it's getting rave reviews, even from Walt Mossberg and David Pogue. It became the largest pre-order in history on Amazon.com. Additionally, Windows has turned around early Linux penetration on netbooks to capture over 90% of sales. Microsoft Office 2010 looks fantastic, and Sharepoint has become an essential collaboration tool for corporations.

The Zune HD is the most gorgeous PMP ever designed, and while sales aren't Earth-shattering, it has finally rewarded Zune loyalists with something that bests the iPod in terms of industrial design and UI. The only weak point for Microsoft right now is Windows Mobile. I think that Microsoft should completely abandon this platform and stick a 3G radio inside the Zune. To be honest, I think Google Android and the iPhone have the best chance of long-term success. However, flip-phones and other "dumb phones" will continue to make up the majority of handsets for the next few years.

These are only my opinions of course, and I fully expect to be flamed by anti-Microsoft stooges. I still don't understand why so many Apple users are still so virulently anti-MS. Like Steve Jobs said, it's not a zero-sum game. I use Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. They're all good and bad. Variety is the spice of life. Merry Christmas.

I had the chance to use Windows 7 on a friends gaming rig for a few hours while "dog" sitting for them a few weeks ago. I have used XP, Vista etc.. prior. Win 7 seemed fine, but really didn't get to dig into it to much, mainly was just playing a couple of games to pass the time. I have grown up with PC's and know how to maintain and deal with most of the issues Windows gets bashed for. The majority of "PC" users do not, they also do not visit forums and post about it. The forums are usually tech savy users that switched for one reason or another, yes there are plenty of fan boys for both camps (Mac vs PC) but to have such a skewed viewpoint is usually from lack of knowledge and learning about both products. Hence my question...

What are the area's you feel that it surpasses OSX in performance and/or usability?

I've used PC's forever, and I don't hate them, just enjoy using my iMac more. I'm just curious as to why? Thanks in advance for any additional info.

Almost forgot... one last comment... up until the recession MANY companies were making tons of cash, in the past year Apple is one of the few, if only computer companies that has tripled it's stock price. MS has lost? gained? 20%. I think the reason is because SB hasn't come up with any original idea's, they simply brought to market a new updated Zune, added some services to Xbox and now copying the Apple store's in hope of any sort of retail success. I think the general feeling of any stock holder would be why in the hell is my MS stock has gained 20 or 30% while Apple stock is up 300%+? When the economy is booming everyone makes hay, when times like these hit it separates companies that innovate and continue to be successful. Gates left MS in the wrong hands imo.

 

[flopticalcube]

Windows 7 is great and I enjoy using it but I doubt it will save Ballmer's bacon. I also like the XBox software which even the most rabid MS-hateboi has to admit is very good. The hardware, well, MS at least contracted that out so in a small way its not their fault. The Zune HD is too little, too late. No way for it to get traction against the touch.

 

[Eraserhead]

I've thought Ballmer has needed to go for a while now. Windows 7 is pretty good, but it isn't better than OS X, and it has a lot of stuff which hasn't been updated to the new shiny.

Windows Mobile 6.5 is a disaster.

 

[agl82]

I'll have to disagree with you in several areas. While Windows 7 is a really good OS, the only area that it really bests OS X is in the gaming field. Everywhere else it's pretty similar to OS X, or lacks functionality such as an iLife suite, or a good Disk Utility onboard the OS itself. However, it's very fast, sleek, and does very well at multi-tasking. The fact that you don't have to rummage around for drivers anymore is a big plus as well. I think Windows 7 is the best Windows yet by far. In fact I'm using it right now.

I actually prefer the Windows 7 taskbar to the Mac OS X dock. I know that's a matter of taste, but it just seems more useful to me. I've used Mac OS X since 10.4 and the first I do when reformatting or setting up an account is turning off the dock. There are freeware applications available for Windows that nearly replace the functionality of iLife. I'm not saying they're better in look-and-feel (Apple owns that department), but feature for feature they're pretty damn good. Some examples are Paint.NET (a fantastic image editor) and Audacity (multi-platform I know, but excellent). Windows Movie Maker is not as good as iMovie, I agree. There is actually a pretty decent disk management utility included in Windows since Vista. Right-click on a hard drive icon, and then click "manage". It has a built in partition tool and everything. Good stuff. Also, I've never liked how you can't resize window borders in Mac OS X from every side of the window. Also, you can't cut and paste files in Finder and I prefer the left-pane of Windows Explorer. It's easier to drill down to specific folders. Again, I use both OS's on a daily basis and love both. These are just small differences that I have noticed.

The Zune is a fail. Sorry, but there's no way it will ever compete directly with the iPod. The iPod wasn't the first MP3 player, but it was the first to do MP3's right.

I have an iPod Touch 32GB and a Zune HD 32GB. Since I got the Zune, I rarely use the Touch. It's just more fun to manipulate media on the Zune HD. It's not a market winner, but it's a scrappy underdog. At least give Microsoft credit for finally producing a respectable PMP. Zune is the future of Microsoft's entertainment platform on the device, Windows Media Center, Windows Phone, and Xbox 360.

The Xbox may be successful in some areas, but you have to remember it also has a 54% failure rate. That doesn't scream success either. I'm sure there are tons of them out there, but I went through 3 of the damn things myself (all under warranty) and said enough is enough.

Fair point. I agree that the failure rate is absolutely unacceptable. I hope the heat issues are worked out in the next iteration of the Xbox. Thanks for your responses!

 

[Chwisch87]

Ok there are a few key reasons why Ballmer might be forced to step down.

The Xbox 360... has not really taken a dominate marketing position. They were beat by the Wii two to one and pretty much in terms of worldwide numbers in a tie with Sony (which was really the big prize). If anything the console has lost them a lot of money that in the long run won't amount to much. Instead of buying studios that can lead to a great long term investments of exclusive games (like sony does and to a less extent Nintendo (much much less) they have used 100's of millions in buying exclusive content. Its money Microsoft can afford to loose for the expense of putting Windows in the living room but they are just now getting around to really integrating the two. Its not as seamless as Apple however.

The Zune... Was obviously about 6 years too late to have any impact. The ZuneHD has a very good device but with no real app support; it has better Digital to Analog coveters over the ipod touch but this isn't really gonna win over anyone in the mass market.

Windows... Isn't really the issues for them. Microsoft LOVEs to get you that 9 out of 10 PCs number but the fact of the matter is Microsoft only dominates the 500 dollar PC business. Numbers from this year have basically shown that 50% of the time when a person has 1000+ dollars to spend on a computer, they get a mac. This has allows Apple to have something like 40% of the revenue in the personal computer business. This is why microsoft is not really gaining so much. Apple only sells computers that actually have high margins and more and more these high margin computers are not wintel computers. The point to all this is basically Microsoft is losing ground in this most important sector. This is a product of Microsoft's own design. For years they have licensed out windows to anyone who wants to build a computer and basically encouraged this rat race to penny margins. Now PC makers can't afford to give Microsoft bigger fees for the OS and Microsoft has begun to loose revenue in a no growth market.

Windows Mobile is REALLY what the sharesholders are pissed off about. This is really the only major growth sector right now in the tech business (that actually makes money, not netbooks). Apple is leading the way in it too along with RIM. Microsoft had a head start in this too with 15% market share and basically has lost it all to RIM and Apple. While exchange is licensed to all these devices, you can't count on that forever as eventually someone will come up with alternative that they control and not microsoft. Microsoft failed to realize the power of the consumer space adoption of smart phones. When you heard earlier criticisms of the iphone from Ballmer, he constantly talked about how is wasn't going to be a good email device because of no physical keyboard. As in, no one in business is going to use it. Will this has one turned out to not be the case and more to the point only speaks volumes that Ballmer simply has no understanding of the consumer space the way Jobs does.

While still relevant in the business market, Microsoft, outside of gaming, has played second fiddle to Apple for pretty much the decade. Honestly, many have already pronounced them dead in the consumer space and I agree.

 

[soLoredd]

The problem with Ballmer is that under his watch, MS has yet to produce anything market-defining. Yeah, the ZuneHD might be a "scrappy underdog" and a nice PMP, but it doesn't come close to threatening the iPod. MS did their damndest and came up with something only to "get closer" to Apple, not beat them. Same with the 360. I love my 360 but, until Natal comes out, it hasn't done anything to seperate itself from Sony or Nintendo, and even then, all it will be doing is trying to get closer to the Wii.

I'm not sure if all this is justification for letting him go but you have to wonder how long MS can keep riding the Windows user-base coattails. Because that is exactly what they are doing. Every single MS discussion always comes back to that.

 

[agl82]

Same with the 360. I love my 360 but, until Natal comes out, it hasn't done anything to seperate itself from Sony or Nintendo, and even then, all it will be doing is trying to get closer to the Wii.

I would wholeheartedly disagree about the XBox 360. Neither Sony or Nintendo has anything CLOSE to XBox Live. It has multiplayer gaming, a huge community, movies/music downloads, Netflix streaming (built-in), etc. Sony's PSN is a completely joke in comparison and to use Netflix you have to put a DVD into the system to load the front-end. Lame! The Wii service is even lamer than Sony's effort.

 

[*LTD*]

MS has a colossal management problem. MS' attitude toward is products absolutely sucks. Garbage in, garbage out. Maybe give it to Sinofsky. He seems to at least understand tech.

 

[ArrowSmith]

MS has a colossal management problem. MS' attitude toward is products absolutely sucks. Garbage in, garbage out. Maybe give it to Sinofsky. He seems to at least understand tech.

It's true MSFT has a poisonous management culture that revolves around some psychotic power-games instead of a single-minded focus on great products. Believe me it exists.