Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hasn’t always been the most complimentary when it comes to talking about Google. In fact, he has spent an inordinate amount of time over the last several years trying to take shots at Google. To Ballmer, Google is a major threat that needs to be dealt with each and every day. And he would like nothing more than to take the search giant down before, well, Google takes Microsoft down. Ballmer’s most recent shot over Google’s bow came at the Web 2.0 Summit recently when the CEO said that Android is “for computer scientists.” Windows Phone, he said, doesn’t require users to be a “computer scientist,” which in and of itself, makes the operating system a better choice. It was an odd statement and one that, as expected, caused some outcry from Android supporters. But those folks should realize that this is nothing new from Ballmer. And it’s just more proof that he doesn’t understand Android. Take a look at what Steve Ballmer doesn’t “get” about Android:
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It’s Not Just For Computer Scientists Ballmer’s comment that Android is only for computer scientists is a bit odd. As anyone who has used Android knows, it’s not difficult to use the platform in any way. In fact, some might say that it’s easier to use than Windows Phone 7.
Consumers Love It Ballmer’s comments about Android being designed for computer scientists seems to indicate that he doesn’t truly understand the consumer market. The fact is consumers love Android as evidenced by their increased adoption of the platform. And looking ahead, there’s little chance that that will change, no matter how many improvements come to Windows Phone 7. Android is a consumer favorite, no matter what Ballmer says.
It Doesn’t Need the Enterprise Ballmer seems to be under the false assumption that in order to be successful in the mobile space nowadays, companies must have an enterprise presence. But that’s simply not the case. Quite the contrary, as Android has proven, the enterprise isn’t as important to a platform’s success as once believed. Is the corporate world important? Sure. But as Android shows, it’s not the be-all, end-all.
Vendors See Value In It Even after all this time with Android selling well on store shelves, Ballmer can’t bring himself to believe that vendors might actually see value in Google’s operating system. He continues to say that vendors will jump on Windows Phone, but so far, they have not. Unfortunately for Ballmer, vendors are looking for the best revenue opportunities out there, and that means opting for Android over Windows Phone.
Being First Matters When Apple launched the iPhone and iOS, it proved that being first to the mobile touchscreen market is vastly important. Android then proved that offering an operating system that capitalizes on that and can be offered to any vendor is also a ticket to success. Microsoft, which came late to that market with Windows Phone 7, is now far behind.
It’s iOS-Like Just Enough When Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7, the company showed off an operating system that tried new things. The platform’s Tiles, for example, ditch the traditional grid pattern of icons to give consumers something that’s new and fresh. But as Windows Phone 7’s sales have shown, new and fresh don’t really matter in the mobile space. Android, which is just enough like iOS, is what consumers are after.
Google Really Does Get the Mobile Business Over the years, Ballmer has consistently tried to marginalize Google’s success in the mobile space by indicating that the company doesn’t really know what it’s doing. But if Android’s sales are to be one’s judge, it appears he’s wrong. Google really does get the mobile business, and the sooner Ballmer understands that, the better.
An Apps Lead Matters Currently, Google has over 300,000 applications available to users of its Android Market. Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace has a fraction of that number available to its users. That’s a real problem. Although Ballmer says that Microsoft will eventually catch up as developers see more value in his company’s operating system that likely won’t happen. Google simply has too big of a lead for Microsoft to even come close to catching up.
It’s Cementing Its Position Ballmer has the firm belief that Microsoft can pick up ground in the mobile space, thanks in large part to Mango and Nokia, and eventually stake claim to the market. But what he fails to see is that each month Windows Phone 7-based Nokia devices aren’t on store shelves and vendors fail to deliver compelling devices, his company’s operating system will be left behind.
It’s Not Worried About Microsoft As worried as Ballmer is about Google, he doesn’t seem to realize that Google isn’t all that worried about Microsoft. In fact, it’s quite possible that the search giant doesn’t fear Microsoft or Windows Phone 7 in the slightest. Google’s biggest concern is Apple. Other than that, it has little -- if anything -- to worry about.
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