Bill Gates doesn’t seem very impressed with the iPad. Sure he’s throwing out some nice compliments to Apple, remarking about how great the iPhone is and all that. But beneath all the pleasantries, he’s pretty much dismissing the product.
You know, I’m a big believer in touch and digital reading, but I still think that some mixture of voice, the pen and a real keyboard – in other words a netbook – will be the mainstream on that.
Youch. Of course, as AllThingD’s John Paczkowski remarks: Bill Gates has made similar remarks in the past. In fact, when the iPod first came out he was noted as saying that “there’s nothing that the iPod does that [he would]say, ‘Oh, wow, I don’t think we can do that.’” Deja vu. [BNET via All Things D]
Anthony
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 1:00 PMBill Gates is pretty Smug. His comments on the iPad reflect what a good proportion of what we’re all feeling, but i wouldnt’ expect anything more from him.
simon
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 2:17 PMi dont agree.
Bill gates never comes across as smug at all. In fact, i see steve jobs as the smug type. For a good comparison on the two, its probably best to watch the stevejobs/billgates interview from 2007 where the two are talking about microsoft and apples relationship. youll see steve promote himself and apple well beyond bill gates and microsoft. its almost petty.
his comments are pretty spot on, but i personally think the ipad will be that niche that slows the netbook markets penetration rate. it wont be a killer, but just that on the go device.
im personally not sold on the ipad, but it intrigues me to see where its heading, OS 4.0+ will be when i look twice, until then, im not sold on it.
Stefan
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 3:12 PMmeh, would you think anything better of Steve Jobs or any big company CEO…
Michael
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 3:26 PMI’m pretty sure his comment was justified. He has admitted that the iPhone was great, but as we all know the iPad isn’t anything revolutionary. Smugness? mmm not sure he would appreciate that since the guy hasn’t really done much wrong when it comes to the computer world. What did you use to type that comment with?
Matt
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:03 PMwhether he’s right or wrong it doesn’t matter.
At the end of the day we can all pass judgement on his smugness but he’s still the one with all that moolah.
I wish I could afford to be smug.
Keith
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:15 PMAnothony,
I dont get what you are saying. You say he is saying what a lot of people are thinking about the iPad but you don’t expect anything more from him?
What is he suppose to do? Say he loves the iPad even though its just a giant iPhone without the features? The hardware changes nothing. The iPad will succeed but only because of the hype not because it does anything spectacular.
The iPad was totally underwhelming.
rob
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10:27 PMThe thing is.. Microsoft didnt do it. They never do.
olearymo
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 11:54 AMWe like to sit around and comment on these things, but keep in mind, Bill is very, very, VERY smart. He’s made as many bad calls as Jobs. Both have made mistakes.
Keep in mind, Bill’s company understood the importance of the internet before Jobs’. Bill’s company succeeded in games consoles where Jobs’ didn’t. And Jobs’ company succeeded in music and phones where Bill’s didn’t.
These people know what they’re doing. Neither is right or wrong.
olearymo
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 11:55 AMOkay, I realise Apple’s foray into games consoles may have been before Steve came back – haven’t checked. So, noted, if so.