Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Interviewed at All Things Digital

[Nym]

After watching the video...

I have never seen so many white people in a single room since the Republican National Convention

LMAO! Good joke!

Anyway, it was nice, I thought that it was nice seeing those two together.
And they actually seemed to have fun answering those questions and managed to avoid troublesome topics like Steve going:"You backstabbed me biatch!"

I have no kind of "hate" for M$, maybe because Apple always exceeds what they to in the fields that matter to me as a consumer (quality, implementation, stability, UI Design and Industrial Design) whereas M$ only shows stuff that don't really have any meaning for me (number of units sold, number of market share, number of stock value, number of money made...).

 

[hoop]

Which would help the world more:

a) Bill Gates donating few tens of billions to charity

b) Bill Gates and Microsoft NOT causing the IT-industry to be 20 years behind from where it could be

?

I'd say that we would all be better off with option B. But thanks to Microsoft and Bill Gates, we are still in the stone-age.

Wow. I'm actually embarrassed for you. Your ignorance has actually shatttered my belief in basic human goodness. You fail as a human.

 

[Jenny1]

excellent

Both Bill Gates and Steve contribute a lot to the current IT industry. Well.. Mac and Windows has their own uniques, advantages and disadvantages


Jenny

 

[Sweetfeld28]

I really liked the interviews, but the biggest thing that annoyed me was the fact they kept asking Steve if he was carrying an iPhone.

I mean come on, was there any doubt?

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

The second thing was actually two separate bits that kind of went by almost under the radar. The first is that he said Japanese CE companies (read: Sony) can't do software worth a s___, and basically are lousy innovators. The second part is that you have to look forward, and not backward, and that's why amongst other things he got rid of the old Apple archives and gave them to Stanford U. Sony would do well to heed this advice and act similarly if they want to remain relevant in the marketplace.

Also, I don't know if anyone else here caught the subtext in the question raised by that Sony Pictures Entertainment dude's question to Steve that, in essence, "too much choice and options are a bad thing."

Everyone here seems to want to focus on Microsoft being the Evil Empire, and I'm not arguing that's a well-deserved title, but you folks are failing to pay any attention to Sony, which is an even larger evil empire. What was attempted to be legitimized here was that choice is bad, and that the public needs to be kept away from alternatives, and that they need to be spoon-fed (presumably by Sony and/or companies like Sony) what is good for them.

This is soooooooo typical of Sony's mentality and core to their being and straight out of their playbook that it isn't funny. And maybe some of you folks here will read what I've just written and laugh and dismiss it, but I'm telling you we all need to start paying real close attention to what Sony is really doing, especially in the entertainment world.

But the fact that someone at Sony actually had the cojones to try (and fail) to get Steve and Bill to say that choice and alternatives are a bad thing should be setting off red flags everywhere in the community.

Props to Steve and Bill for NOT going along with Sony on that one.

I must totally agree with you... all sony seem to care about is what everyone hear blames M$ for doing, ie: worrying about profit margins, market share, and the like. I remember nearly 10 years ago when we got our first MP3 player, the software it came bundled with was pretty much worthless, and to put files onto the device was cumbersome and annoying. And it was a japanese device. Now that I read this post, I have to agree with you. Bill was talking about how awesome it is that they can put their software on dozens of different companies' computers, then the guy from sony saying, well, isn't having all those different companies bad? it was bass-akwards thinking on sonys part, unless there was a reason to bring up such an absurd thought.

 

[MikeTheC]

I must totally agree with you... all sony seem to care about is what everyone hear blames M$ for doing, ie: worrying about profit margins, market share, and the like. I remember nearly 10 years ago when we got our first MP3 player, the software it came bundled with was pretty much worthless, and to put files onto the device was cumbersome and annoying. And it was a japanese device. Now that I read this post, I have to agree with you. Bill was talking about how awesome it is that they can put their software on dozens of different companies' computers, then the guy from sony saying, well, isn't having all those different companies bad? it was bass-akwards thinking on sonys part, unless there was a reason to bring up such an absurd thought.

Well, I used to work for Sony and so I got to see this kind of thing unfold from the inside on a regular basis. Sony is in the same kind of situation (from the standpoint of being an organization) now that Apple was in during the 1990s (that is, they are divided and distracted and exist with a total "silo culture"), but the difference is that the Sony brand commands a ton of respect, and they are much more well-heeled than Apple was.

And you know that I mentioned earlier about Steve's comment about getting rid of Apple's past glories? Well, Sony (I know you folks will laugh and shrug this comment off, but it's the God's-honest-truth) still thinks of itself as the company which invented the Trinitron and the Walkman. They live in the past and are so focused on past glories that they just stay there. Well, at least the Sony Electronics division (and others immediately related to it) live there. It's freaky.

The flip side is that Sony has been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) buying up huge tracks of other industries (especially the gaming and movie/music/tv industries). At this point, what they either own or control in Hollywierd is scarry.

 

[GanleyBurger]

Walt Mossberg is probably one of the most knowledgeable persons of technology. Not only does he write for The Wall Street Journal, All Things Digital is a pretty respected conference in the industry, and Mossberg puts it together.

That's the problem. I'd never know it... by the interview that is. Ha He was just way too casual in my opinion. I guess that I wanted someone to ask the tough questions, to play a little hardball with Jobs. The whole thing was way to casual for such a historic day!!!

 

[50548]

Wow. I'm actually embarrassed for you. Your ignorance has actually shatttered my belief in basic human goodness. You fail as a human.

Sorry, but your statement seems pretty depressing as well...you can't buy "goodness" after failing for years and years, after crushing several companies with illegal monopoly power, after stealing codes and twisting standards for your own sake. His efforts are laudable as he has 50 billion in his OWN bank account...but this doesn't make him innocent or a saint.

In fact, it seems like Gates is one of those students that have ALWAYS failed in class, only to get a brand new Ferrari when he finally graduates 20 years later than any of his colleagues.

Besides, if you think money is everything for Africa, please try to take a look at those who REALLY do some field work there with little to no resources.

Indeed, "Live Aid", "We Are The World" and any such related crap have served for nothing in poor regions of the world; but sure they were great publicity for those stupid western "civilized" artists of the showbizz.

 

[sonictonic]

Is there a way to get the entire video feed as a file and save this historic moment?

Thanks

I wanna save this too!

I thought the interview was great (minus the hosts, especially the woman, ugh). I didn't think Jobs was arrogant at all. To me it looked like Bill was rolling his eyes through most of this thing. Figuratively I mean. I thought Bill was pretty cool for the most part, but I kinda felt that way. Jobs is just so passionate about this stuff and I admire that.

Anyone have a savable link?

 

[juanster]

ahahhaha a billion here or there, gates is a baller...

 

[Digitaljim]

This is the most insane post I've read here in quite some time. Jobs arrogant? I didn't get that in the slightest. I find him to be very quiet and meek compared to the wild excited Jobs I've seen before.

Walt is Walt. He was totally to the point. He had lots to ask and lots of folks to interview. It's a different style that may not entertain you, but instead is meant to be indifferent, kind of like a debate.

I think Gates comes across and poorly spoken, and very unpolished, unkempt person. Even next to Jobs unshaven look. Bill's hair is a mess, his glasses are poorly chosen, and he slumps over and generally looks defeated and unconfident.

Jobs has a nice intelligent dry witt that sometimes is funny in your face and at other times a little out there or with odd references. So what.

I understand what you're saying about the interviewer, but c'mon, Jobs did not come across well in that interiew.

He seemed to be pissed off about something. Maybe it was a long day. His jokes weren't funny; his lyric quotations were out of place and unspontaneous.

From that evidence, i'd much rather have Billy G round to my house for a beer, even though he did look a bit like Ben from 'Lost".

This is all just my take on things remember. Don't be so quick to call a post "insane" in the future just because it slighty disses Apple's CEO (in the most minor way imaginable).

 

[Digitaljim]

This is the most insane post I've read here in quite some time. Jobs arrogant? I didn't get that in the slightest. I find him to be very quiet and meek compared to the wild excited Jobs I've seen before.

Walt is Walt. He was totally to the point. He had lots to ask and lots of folks to interview. It's a different style that may not entertain you, but instead is meant to be indifferent, kind of like a debate.

I think Gates comes across and poorly spoken, and very unpolished, unkempt person. Even next to Jobs unshaven look. Bill's hair is a mess, his glasses are poorly chosen, and he slumps over and generally looks defeated and unconfident.

Jobs has a nice intelligent dry witt that sometimes is funny in your face and at other times a little out there or with odd references. So what.

I understand what you're saying about the interviewer, but c'mon, Jobs did not come across well in that interview.

He seemed to be pissed off about something. Maybe it was a long day. His jokes weren't funny; his lyric quotations were out of place and unspontaneous.

From that evidence, i'd much rather have Billy G round to my house for a beer, even though he did look a bit like Ben from 'Lost".

This is all just my take on things remember. Don't be so quick to call a post "insane" in the future just because it slighty disses Apple's CEO (in the most minor way imaginable).

 

[LoganT]

I understand what you're saying about the interviewer, but c'mon, Jobs did not come across well in that interview.

He seemed to be pissed off about something. Maybe it was a long day. His jokes weren't funny; his lyric quotations were out of place and unspontaneous.

From that evidence, i'd much rather have Billy G round to my house for a beer, even though he did look a bit like Ben from 'Lost".

This is all just my take on things remember. Don't be so quick to call a post "insane" in the future just because it slighty disses Apple's CEO (in the most minor way imaginable).

I think Steve Jobs was just annoyed by the interviewers.

 

[RnSK]

I think he may have been a little...

I think Steve Jobs was just annoyed by the interviewers.

They kept teasing him, especially the lady; notice how there is a lot of mocking him when he wouldn't reveal any future plans:

"I'm sure its going to be 'the most beautiful thing we've ever seen' and 'it's going to blow us away'..." comment.

He finally responded to this by noting that one of the industry "issues" with him when he was younger was that he shot his mouth off *too much* ie "a ship that leaks from the top"...but even after that I think she did it again.

Also, you'll note several times that she tried to bait discord.

These guys are old(er) now, and you know, have gotten over it. I just wish the fanclubs could see this

 

[sonictonic]

They kept teasing him, especially the lady; notice how there is a lot of mocking him when he wouldn't reveal any future plans:

"I'm sure its going to be 'the most beautiful thing we've ever seen' and 'it's going to blow us away'..." comment.

Also, you'll note several times that she tried to bait discord.

These guys are old(er) now, and you know, have gotten over it. I just wish the fanclubs could see this

Agreed! That's precisely why I coudn't stand the female interviewer. She pissed me off acting like that towards him so I can imagine he'd be a little ticked too. She was purposely trying to egg him on and start something. Plus she's a smartass.

 

[Metatron]

From the standpoint of legacy...

I got the feeling that Bill is really done with his work and that he will take the back-seat and focus more on what he can do with his money for life. After all, he made it. He has more money than most of the worlds countries. The guy, or spirit if you will, at Microsoft that most mac lovers hated has moved onto Ballmer as he now has the reins at microsoft and wants to make a legacy for himself as Bill did while also getting out from under Bill's shadow.

Likewise, Steve is still making his legacy. While he and Woz did make the worlds first real PC, after leaving Apple Steve was really on the outside until 97, after witch Bill was on track to be the world’s riches man. Steve has a few years left to catch up with Bill, as he was never fired from his role as CEO at Microsoft.

Bill's legacy really comes not from having done anything revolutionary, but the shear marketshare and wealth, with all of us looking on in amazement as the industry grew to encompass everything from computers to our freezers. Bill will be remembered for being a great software engineer that allowed him to become the wealthiest man alive, which in turn gave it back to society, as a good steward should.

Steve will be remembered as the man that changed the world with the introduction of the personal computer that changed how we all live. The problem with defining Steve's legacy is that we cannot finish it with the line above, as Steve is not done. He is not focusing on the digital hub as most see it, but how a society lives and evolves and the best way to enrich the experience of life. First with computers, than the iPod, and now the iPhone... which is still a far cry from his vision. It may be a few more decades before we can truly write the full extent of Steve's legacy, but you can be assured it will be about radically changing the way we live or lives.

 

[50548]

From the standpoint of legacy...

I got the feeling that Bill is really done with his work and that he will take the back-seat and focus more on what he can do with his money for life. After all, he made it. He has more money than most of the worlds countries. The guy, or spirit if you will, at Microsoft that most mac lovers hated has moved onto Ballmer as he now has the reins at microsoft and wants to make a legacy for himself as Bill did while also getting out from under Bill's shadow.

Likewise, Steve is still making his legacy. While he and Woz did make the worlds first real PC, after leaving Apple Steve was really on the outside until 97, after witch Bill was on track to be the world’s riches man. Steve has a few years left to catch up with Bill, as he was never fired from his role as CEO at Microsoft.

Bill's legacy really comes not from having done anything revolutionary, but the shear marketshare and wealth, with all of us looking on in amazement as the industry grew to encompass everything from computers to our freezers. Bill will be remembered for being a great software engineer that allowed him to become the wealthiest man alive, which in turn gave it back to society, as a good steward should.

Steve will be remembered as the man that changed the world with the introduction of the personal computer that changed how we all live. The problem with defining Steve's legacy is that we cannot finish it with the line above, as Steve is not done. He is not focusing on the digital hub as most see it, but how a society lives and evolves and the best way to enrich the experience of life. First with computers, than the iPod, and now the iPhone... which is still a far cry from his vision. It may be a few more decades before we can truly write the full extent of Steve's legacy, but you can be assured it will be about radically changing the way we live or lives.

Exactly.

In fact, Bill G reminds me of Ozzy Osbourne; a person whose social intelligence is currently close to zero, due to drug abuse (and nerdiness in the case of Bill G).

He kept rolling his eyes all the time during the interview, took more than 5 seconds to answer anything, and always came up with those wonderful predictions that no one believes anymore.

SJ is MUCH more down to earth, still ALIVE, still dreaming about how to make the next best gadget. And no, I would NEVER prefer a beer with Bill G...he is just TOO nerdily stoned to be able to talk.

 

[evboevbo]

I'm going to have to agree here, but I don't think Jobs came off arrogantly so much as he seemed defensive and uncomfortable answering the questions Mossburg asked him. In this regard I think Gates was a better interview, particularly because you got the impression that he was actually interested in the questions that he was answering, and not as much interested in turning every answer into an advertisement for his company.

Notice the way Jobs chose to word his answers--'we have a great map cli--we have the best map client in the world!' C'mon, dude. Turn off 'keynote-speech-mode' for a second and answer the question. I enjoy Jobs's speeches as much as the next mac guy, but I definitely thought he was one-upped by Gates, who answered many of Mossburg's questions comfortably and insightfully. I'm definitely not an MS fan, but I know what I saw, which reminds me: did anybody else notice that Mossburg had this annoying way of talking down to Kara Swisher? Anyone?

 

[ravenblue]

Yeah gates definitely seemed more comfortable. Steve seemed extremely uncomforable. He is used to being able to face the public in a very scripted, controlled fashion. Couple times I thought he was gonna snap gates neck.

 

[benlee]

I'm going to have to agree here, but I don't think Jobs came off arrogantly so much as he seemed defensive and uncomfortable answering the questions Mossburg asked him. In this regard I think Gates was a better interview, particularly because you got the impression that he was actually interested in the questions that he was answering, and not as much interested in turning every answer into an advertisement for his company.

Notice the way Jobs chose to word his answers--'we have a great map cli--we have the best map client in the world!' C'mon, dude. Turn off 'keynote-speech-mode' for a second and answer the question. I enjoy Jobs's speeches as much as the next mac guy, but I definitely thought he was one-upped by Gates, who answered many of Mossburg's questions comfortably and insightfully. I'm definitely not an MS fan, but I know what I saw, which reminds me: did anybody else notice that Mossburg had this annoying way of talking down to Kara Swisher? Anyone?

he totally talked down to her in my opinion also. I also was a little annoyed with Jobs' manner. Gates seemed much more comfortable. Jobs is just so secretive i feel he doesnt want to give any ideas away so he gives what seem to be half answers.

 

[dernhelm]

I just got back to being able to read up on and respond to any of this. And while it is probably "too late" for any real debate, I decided to throw my 2 cents in here anyway. I really enjoyed the interview, but could not stand the lady interviewer (can't remember name now) who was trying way too hard to be funny/sassy whatever, and just came across as lame.

Walt was OK - he set the tone as light, non-offensive, and realized this for what it is, a couple of CEOs (or in Bill's case, ex CEO) with long histories in the industry and a lot of cool stories to tell. Unfortunately, neither man was really on top of his game. When they were talking about the PC guy / Mac guy commercials, it REALLY seemed like Bill was upset by them. I mean come on, you have $50 Billion in the bank to give away, and you care about some stupid commercial? It just makes you look petty! Jobs was unsuccessfully trying to needle him, but that was that, Bill was not going to bite. I also agree that Bill should've been coached a little not to slouch so much - my Mom wouldn't smacked him across the knees for that. Jeez man, SIT UP! Act like you are involved in the interview process.

On the other shoe, Steve Jobs really spent too much time trying to be mysterious and coy. I HATED that. He answered a few too many questions with: well we have something in the works on that but I can't tell you about it right now. You know what, if you can't tell us about it, don't mention it. Everyone is working on cool stuff - even Microsoft. It wouldn't take much to sit up there and act like you've got the coolest thing imaginable that you just can't talk about. That says nothing, and really sounded like SJ was just trying to drum up the rumor mill to build excitement for WWDC or something. For as much as SJ claims he hates the rumor sites, he does nothing to put them out of business...

But those things aside, I actually thought most of the interview was pretty cool. When you really sit back to think about it, this was just a couple of guys with a really long history in the computer industry and a lot influence over the events that occurred that got us this far. By nature they are "different" than the rest of us, or they wouldn't have gotten where they are today. So I can put their quirks aside and enjoy the stroll down memory lane.

All in all it was pretty fun, and I was sorry to see it end.

 

[MikeTheC]

I hate the man's guts, but I have to admit -- you know who would have been the better interviewer for this one? Bill O'Rielly. Oh, man, that would have been awesome, especially if he was specifically ordered to pull no punches and really tore into Steve and Bill.

For me, it's a toss-up between that and having a tag-team match between Steve and Bill, and Linus and RMS. Now *that* would have been some cool stuff, man.

 

[weg]

What Bill gives in terms of money pales dramatically by comparison to the enormous wealth Steve has bestowed upon us in terms of style, elegance, functionality, and extraordinary capabilities.

Are you saying that, as long as you have a cool and stylish iPhone, you don't care whether people die from AIDS or not?

 

[50548]

Are you saying that, as long as you have a cool and stylish iPhone, you don't care whether people die from AIDS or not?

Why? Do you infer that Gates is responsible for AIDS policies in developing countries?

So he makes 50 billion out of illegal and monopolist practices, and now he is a saint because he gave 1 billion back in philanthropy? Sorry, this makes no sense, and is extremely unfair to the gazillions of people who REALLY do some work down there in poor areas. His recent efforts are laudable and that's all...people have been helped for a long time before he came up with his foundation.

 

[weg]

So he makes 50 billion out of illegal and monopolist practices, and now he is a saint because he gave 1 billion back in philanthropy?

If what he does is illegal, why don't you sue him, BRLawyer?
I really hate this 'if Gates does it, it must be bad, if Jobs does it, it's good' attitude. If Gates ran his business like Jobs does (e.g., locking out other MP3 player manufacturers by making sure MediaPlayer doesn't work with their players) you'd be on the barricades... but since it's Jobs who does exactly that with iTunes, its good.

Honestly, we can be glad that Bill Gates runs Microsoft, and not Steve Jobs.