Bill Gates says cell phone will beat iPod

[hibitdatmac]

This is frankly unlikely to happen (Bill's comments) for at least two reasons. Firstly, who in their right mind is going to willingly increase their exposure to mobile phone radiation, of which the experts are still unsure how much damage is being done to us. Secondly, Windows Mobile has a really bad reputation in the mobile market and quite rightly so - I have yet to find a user who is pleased with their microsoft powered smartphone. I remember a recent test in one of the UK PC mags where the user needed to make a really urgent call on the Windows Mobile he was testing and it crashed then kept saying something like 'unable to find application phone' (sound familiure - I'm suprised it doesn't bsod!) so I really don't think an MP3 enabled mobile is going to tread on iPod and its rivals any time soon. Hell my P900 has been able to do just that for over a year now yet I have never once listened to music on it. Nor do I intend to. Don't bin the iPod yet!

 

[mvc]

Couldn't resist

Emperor
"Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design. Your friends, at Apple, are walking into a trap, as is your Rebel fleet. It was *I* who allowed the Apple to know the location of the shield generator. It is quite safe from your pitiful little [garage] band. An entire legion of my best lawyers awaits them. Oh, I'm afraid the deflector shield will be quite operational when your friends arrive."...

Sorry, had to be done.

 

[beatle888]

I believe one thing could make the prediction - that cellphones take over the portable mp3 player market - come true... and that is if apple made one
They have the skills, the knowhow, the brand and the sense of quality to make an mp3-phone that will be as big a blast as the iPod...

A

you guys keep missing the point. Apple and motorola already have a phone lined up (apple=software phone=motorola) but the wireless networks WONT PLAY WITH APPLE. wireless companies want the revenue for themselves. its all over the net. verizon/cingular/sprint. and microsoft's making alliances to help.

 

[BornAgainMac]

you know bill, he's always got his finger on the pulse of new technology.

Where is Bill's finger right now?

 

[poundsmack]

in the spirit of funny gates image warping



(edit) that didnt work. how do i upload pictures?

 

[mvc]

in the spirit of funny gates image warping



(edit) that didnt work. how do i upload pictures?

Attach them, the button is below the text entry area

 

[sbarton]

Spot on

I think convergence is over-rated. We were told that the PDA was dead, because nobody wanted to carry a PDA and a phone. So, the concept of PDA has been continually whittled away until now, we don't really have PDA's anymore; we have toys that people pretend are PDA's.

If my bitterness isn't apparent...I was a proud owner of an Apple Newton. It served a purpose with function and style that none of my 4 Palms have ever come close to matching. The problem is one of size. You need sufficient screen real estate to be able to write adequately. You'll never get good PDA functionality on a 3" x 4" screen. But, the computer world convinced consumers that smaller was better. We'll see the return of truly functional PDA's once we get over the idea that screen size doesn't matter. Can you imagine predicting that letter-sized paper is going to disappear because those small flip-cover paper notebooks are going to replace them?

Anyway, back to the iPod and Cell phones. I own a Treo. I can load songs on it. I've spent a few hours getting this to all work just right, loaded the songs, built some playlists, and I've now used it as an MP3 player exactly 0 times. Now, I hate how big my Treo is, but it does provide access to my email and occasional web surfing. For that, I'll keep it. But, I long for a tiny phone.

I carry my phone 95% of the time I'm out, and because of that, I want it to be as small as possible. Period. That's all I want.

I carry my iPod perhaps 50% of the time, and what I really want is long battery life, and the ability to carry ALL of my music. I'm willing to carry the bulk of the iPod when I want that functionality.

So, if someone can marry the two (phone that is as small as possible) and an MP3 player that carrys all of my music and gets great battery life, then great. But, we are at least 5 years from this. And by then, there will be even smaller phones.

If convergence means losing key features (such as size, storage capacity, battery life) then it will fail.

Oh...and bring back the Newton. I liked the size.

Indeed, your exactly right. The Newtons 4x6 screen is the perfect size. I have been through at least 5 PDA's since my Newton 2100. Currently I have the absolute best PDA that our Civilization seems to be able to come up. Its an HP 4705 PDA with 475mhz CPU and color VGA screen, 128mb RAM, yada yada, etc.

Simply put, compared to the Newton 2100, It sucks.


I am absolutley confident that todays engineers in Redmond have absolutley zero chance of out engineering Apple.

Now, can they buy the market? Perhaps....

Long live BetaMax

 

[mcadam]

you guys keep missing the point. Apple and motorola already have a phone lined up (apple=software phone=motorola) but the wireless networks WONT PLAY WITH APPLE. wireless companies want the revenue for themselves. its all over the net. verizon/cingular/sprint. and microsoft's making alliances to help.

Oh yeah, that's true - but I wonder if apple or motorola is gonna design it - will it be an apple device with a bit of motorola technology inside or will it be a motorola device with a bit of apple-software (iTunes) inside ??

A

 

[poundsmack]

(if this is considreerd inapropriate someone tell me and i will remove it quickly)

by the way can anyone spot the MAC in the backround

 

[bluefido]

I would bet he is right. There is always something down the line. The Walkman isn't the dominant portable music player anymore. It is likely that the iPod will someday go that rout.

Lately he [Bill Gates] has been quoted in a way that makes it seem as though he plans to destroy Apple. Hard to prove that microsoft isn't a monopoly if that happens.

I am an iPod user, and I hope Apple continues to stay on top of the portable music market, though innovation, improved utility, competative priceing, and through improved compatability- not though cult following.

I love Apple and my iPod, but Bill Gates is right on the money with the iPod. I am in South Korea right now, and the cell phones that I see here are ten times more advance than the US. They are small, look very cool, and many of them have all the functions of a good MP3 player. And they are only getting better...

The cell phones are also capable of playing fun, networkable games such as a Dragon Ball Z (I also saw a popular Pokemon type game and an RPG of some sort) fighting game that I saw some junior high kid playing on the subway, which leads me to believe that the PSP's descendents will not be successful in the long run either.

One cell phone also had the useless ability to sub as a remote control for your television. The point is that having one device for your MP3s, phone calls, and games is so much more convenient for me than having an iPod, Blackberry, and PSP or Gameboy with me at all times. That is why Apple is expanding the use of the iPod until it can no longer viably do so (we will see video playback and better games sooner rather than later).

To me, Bill Gates was stating the obvious. I suspect Apple feels the same way and is milking the iPod for as long as the money train will take them. I love my iPod, but it is hard to deny the future.

 

[w_parietti22]

Well, gates is right if Apple leaves the iPod alone as it and doesn't advance it, but that is so un-Apple, the iPod will some day have a 160gb HD, built in cell phone digital camera and some other cool unneeded things. It will stay in the market if apple updates it, but as is, It will be nothing in 3 years.

 

[quik]

So much anti-microsoft here.

You guys aren't more brilliant that people on the PC side that think Mac are like the one we had 10 years ago.

Everytime there's a chance to bash against Windows and Bill Gates you jump on it.

I'm getting so tired of this war.

 

[MrDavid]

So much anti-microsoft here.

You guys aren't more brilliant that people on the PC side that think Mac are like the one we had 10 years ago.

Everytime there's a chance to bash against Windows and Bill Gates you jump on it.

I'm getting so tired of this war.

I tend to notice the MS bashing as well, not to mention on Windows sites there is Mac bashing .

 

[drewyboy]

doesn't any read the headlines? Apple is coming out w/ and iTunes/Cellphone... hence it is starting to move to the mp3cellphone. Now, the problem is, cell carries dont want to carry the cell phone cuz they dont want users to be able to buy real songs for a buck and use it as ring tones, where as the carrier charges way too much for a piece of SH** song. Now with that said, the phone WILL be coming out in June/July and with T-Mobile. It's not concrete yet with T-Mobile but they have shown much interest... and good for them... they will be able to team up w/ apple on adds and be like "First cellphone with the ability of an iPod!". Big time selling item right there.

P.S. Bill Gates is a dick

 

[bluefido]

doesn't any read the headlines? Apple is coming out w/ and iTunes/Cellphone... hence it is starting to move to the mp3cellphone. Now, the problem is, cell carries dont want to carry the cell phone cuz they dont want users to be able to buy real songs for a buck and use it as ring tones, where as the carrier charges way too much for a piece of SH** song. Now with that said, the phone WILL be coming out in June/July and with T-Mobile. It's not concrete yet with T-Mobile but they have shown much interest... and good for them... they will be able to team up w/ apple on adds and be like "First cellphone with the ability of an iPod!". Big time selling item right there.

P.S. Bill Gates is a dick

The article was about the sustainability of the iPod in its current form. And Bill Gates is right. Cell phone carriers are going to eventually adjust. Apple also sees the same future that Bill Gates does. Hence, the cellphone/iPod. The cellphone/iPod hybrid is a lot different than the iPod that we currently know and love. The fact that it has iTunes mobile is amazing. But the form factor and the functionality of the actual device (but hopefully not the sound quality) are extremely different.

 

[neonazarite]

If people don't like the anti-MS commentary I suggest trying another site - maybe the "I'm a kwy baby windoze user who doesn't like the impending Apple global domination" forum or something... someone call the whhhaaaaaaaaaambulance - gees!

Here's a fun idea: http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/iPhone-clam.html

 

[quik]

I tend to notice the MS bashing as well, not to mention on Windows sites there is Mac bashing .

There is a lot less Mac bashing on PC sites than PC bashing.

It seems like it's fun here to joke with Windows.

Don't you ever used something other than Windows 95? I have Mac OSX 10.4 and Windows XP and I have zero problems on both.

 

[Mr. Durden]

So much anti-microsoft here.

You guys aren't more brilliant that people on the PC side that think Mac are like the one we had 10 years ago.

Everytime there's a chance to bash against Windows and Bill Gates you jump on it.

I'm getting so tired of this war.

Actually, we are brighter. Mac users typically have a higher IQ and make more money per year and have a higher level of education than the typical windows user. (I'll see if I can find where I read about that study if you'd like)

I dont see nearly as much MS bashing as there used to be. In fact its kinda not so cool anymore. But thats what you get when someone like Bill Gates and MS have been stealing from you for years, and using Monopolistic practices to keep the competition down. And its not necessarily Bill Gates either. Do you think anyone here would respond differently if Michael Dell said this? Or how about just some no-name reporter from the New York Times? We'd still go off on 'em because of the self-serving way the statement is made.

 

[quik]

If people don't like the anti-MS commentary I suggest trying another site - maybe the "I'm a kwy baby windoze user who doesn't like the impending Apple global domination" forum or something... someone call the whhhaaaaaaaaaambulance - gees!

Here's a fun idea: http://www.theapplecollection.com/design/macdesign/iPhone-clam.html

I use a Mac and I love it. But I also use a PC and love it.

That's just easy to bash PCs. Just ask Apple to put their OS on PCs to support billions of hardware mix and you'll see it's not easy. I do like what Microsoft do, and I do also like what Mac are doing. Both worlds are different and I think Microsoft is a great company no matter what people here are trying to say.

 

[wholder]

Problems I see with a phone as an "iPod-killer"

1. Will I be able to use in, in flight, on an airplane? Last time I checked, I had to leave my cellphone off the whole time the plane was in the air. Yeah, I suppose the phone could provide some means to switch off just the transmit part, but will this pass muster with flight attendants, or will they, perhaps rightfully, assume I'm trying to make a call.

2. Do I really want to take my phone on vacation... If you, like me, like to leave the work world behind on occasion then, no, not really. I do want to take my tunes along. So, like #1, here's another case of possible negative synergy. That is, adding a phone part to an iPod isn't an obvious "improvement" in all cases, at least in my mind.

3. I've upgraded my phone several times in the same period of time I've owned my wonderful iPod. Sometimes it's was a forced change because my old cell hardware didn't work on the new carrier's network. Other times it was to get some new features, such as GPRS, or bluetooth. Do I want to pay again for the music feature, when I just want a better phone, or want escape the clutches of a lousy carrier? And, what happens to my tunes when I switch? Do I have to buy them again? Will my new carrier be capable of migrating my music when, in my experience, they can hardly manage moving over my phone list?

4. Will I be able to buy all the cool add ons for my cell I can get for my iPod, such as an FM transmitter, mini boombox adapter, etc? Or, will I have to get this from the cellphone maker? In my exerience, it's often impossible to get a spare battery from a cell carrier at a reasonable price (when you can get one at all.) Likewise, as in #3, will I be forced to buy all this stuff again when the form factor of a new phone (you should see my collection of old chargers, each always completely incompatible with whatever new phone I get) changes?

I could go on, but I'm sure you get my point...

 

[fatfish]

Mmmm
Mobile phones that play music, now that seems like a super new idea.... but hang on I'm sure I've seen one before..... Oh yes, that's it - my P900, I've had it now for nearly two years.

That has a 512 Mb card in it with about 100 songs on it...... Do I ever listen to it....NO
It has emails pop right up on the screen..... Do I ever use them..... NO
It reds and organises pdf's ..... Do I ever use them..... NO
It has loads of games...... Do I ever play them..... NO
It records and sends video..... Do I ever watch them..... NO
It has a jotter I can scribble notes on..... Do I ever scribble them..... NO
It has a calender and appointment organiser..... Do I ever use them..... NO
It has a sound recorder...... Do I ever record anything..... NO
It has an internet connection...... Do I ever browse it..... NO
It has a camera...... Do I ever take pictures..... well to be honest I do from time to time, but only in fun, it's not the sort of stuff I would keep in iphoto though.
So I have to wonder why I have the darn thing..... Oh yes, you can also telephone people on it, now that I have to admit is very useful I wonder if all mobiles can do that.

Let's face it a few of us will buy a cheap gimmick (although so cheap in this case), even fewer will continue to pretend after a while that it's useful and carry on using it. The majority will use a phone to phone people. After the initial gimmick factor wears off so will the popularity of these music phones. Don't get me wrong, they will sell a few, but they won't be an ipod killer.

 

[ifjake]

i'm trying to imagine how the iPod has really changed over the past few years. essentially it's been the same. it's been slimmed down some, and refined a little with the click wheel, but essentially it's been the same right?

 

[quik]

Actually, we are brighter. Mac users typically have a higher IQ and make more money per year and have a higher level of education than the typical windows user. (I'll see if I can find where I read about that study if you'd like)

I dont see nearly as much MS bashing as there used to be. In fact its kinda not so cool anymore. But thats what you get when someone like Bill Gates and MS have been stealing from you for years, and using Monopolistic practices to keep the competition down. And its not necessarily Bill Gates either. Do you think anyone here would respond differently if Michael Dell said this? Or how about just some no-name reporter from the New York Times? We'd still go off on 'em because of the self-serving way the statement is made.

I never understood why people in Europe are complaining about their monopolistic policies. They make the software, they can put what they want on it. When you install Mac OSX or Windows XP, you get basically the same software (Photo, Video, Zip/Stuffit...). Apple isn't better, but because Microsoft has probably 92% of the computer market, they are easy and fun to sue.

 

[fatfish]

1. Will I be able to use in, in flight, on an airplane? Last time I checked, I had to leave my cellphone off the whole time the plane was in the air. Yeah, I suppose the phone could provide some means to switch off just the transmit part, but will this pass muster with flight attendants, or will they, perhaps rightfully, assume I'm trying to make a call.

2. Do I really want to take my phone on vacation... If you, like me, like to leave the work world behind on occasion then, no, not really. I do want to take my tunes along. So, like #1, here's another case of possible negative synergy. That is, adding a phone part to an iPod isn't an obvious "improvement" in all cases, at least in my mind.

3. I've upgraded my phone several times in the same period of time I've owned my wonderful iPod. Sometimes it's was a forced change because my old cell hardware didn't work on the new carrier's network. Other times it was to get some new features, such as GPRS, or bluetooth. Do I want to pay again for the music feature, when I just want a better phone, or want escape the clutches of a lousy carrier? And, what happens to my tunes when I switch? Do I have to buy them again? Will my new carrier be capable of migrating my music when, in my experience, they can hardly manage moving over my phone list?

4. Will I be able to buy all the cool add ons for my cell I can get for my iPod, such as an FM transmitter, mini boombox adapter, etc? Or, will I have to get this from the cellphone maker? In my exerience, it's often impossible to get a spare battery from a cell carrier at a reasonable price (when you can get one at all.) Likewise, as in #3, will I be forced to buy all this stuff again when the form factor of a new phone (you should see my collection of old chargers, each always completely incompatible with whatever new phone I get) changes?

I could go on, but I'm sure you get my point...

1. my P900 has flight mode, try telling the air hostess.
2. my phone doesn't come with me out of work (Ilike to think I'm sucessful, part of the satisfaction of being sucessful means I don't need to be at people's beck and call outside worktime)
3. not just upgrades either, I often leave my P900 on the train, simply drop it in a scramble to answer it whilst carrying my sandwhich in the other hand, infact before now it's slid across the dash and gone out the window when I turned a corner and more than once I've actually dropped it in the toilet. I'd be forever reloading my music onto a new phone
4. Add-ons arn't my thing, so it doesn't really bother me

 

[fatfish]

I never understood why people in Europe are complaining about their monopolistic policies. They make the software, they can put what they want on it. When you install Mac OSX or Windows XP, you get basically the same software (Photo, Video, Zip/Stuffit...). Apple isn't better, but because Microsoft has probably 92% of the computer market, they are easy and fun to sue.

You can take your blindfold off now.