[AppleChic]

Microsoft chief executive, Steve Ballmer, who once laughed off the iPhone has now changed his tune about Apple's smart phone and about the future of the Zune.

Ballmer admitted to the Financial Times that the iPhone and the Blackberry have "clear market momentum."

This is kind of funny because if you take a look back at Ballmer's comments in the past you'll remember that:

- At the MacWorld 2007 Expo Ballmer smeared the iPhone saying that it's the "most expensive phone in the world" and that Microsoft sells "millions and millions and millions of phones a year" while "Apple sells zero."

-Ballmer also said, "I'd prefer to have our software in 60 percent or 70 percent or 80 percent of [mobile phones], than I would to have 2 percent or 3 percent, which is what Apple might get."

- Just this past year Ballmer even predicted that Apple's tight integration of everything would cause the iPhone to "lose out."

Ballmer now says that consumers should not anticipate a Zune Phone.

If there is ever a time to eat one's words, it's now for Ballmer. Jobs must be giddy.

Source: AppleInsider | Ballmer changes tune on iPhone, says no Zune phone

[fletch33]

NEVER let'em see you sweat!!!

[alucardunit1]

he makes such a strong emphases on how expensive the phone is i dont think he cares that its a better phone he just cares about the price

[tattoojack]

Lmao @ fletch33

[thetoothfairy]

Boy I feel like a complete A** Please forgive me! Please let me correct myself... Apple's software and phones are way cooler than Microsoft's.

[A.T]

^
Technically Microsoft don't make any phones, they just license their software to other mobile companies. Microsoft does outsell Apple right now.

[dale1v]

Originally Posted by AppleChic

Jobs must be giddy.

No pun intended(?)

seeing as he's sick n' all.

[fletch33]

Originally Posted by A.T

^
Technically Microsoft don't make any phones, they just license their software to other mobile companies. Microsoft does outsell Apple right now.

i was going to make this comment as well and Apple would have to sell a LOT more iPhones to outsell M$ phones. in fact they would most likely have to open up their OS to other manufactures to surpass M$. which isnt going to happen

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Ballmer can do no wrong and he gets a free pass from me on anything he does.

[SmoothiPhone]

Honestly, I don't believe the iPhone didn't become a big hit due to Apple's side of things. If it weren't for the developers and hackers that unlocked the 2G and 3G phones then a great percentage of users would be lost. Thats how I honestly feel.

[sikdaz]

i strongly agree with you.. that's the reason i got an iPhone..

[crewxp]

...how the hell is this front page material?

.. I support Apple, but I'ld never stoop down to a low level and boast that Apple is better than Microsoft, or flame a Microsoft rep (who's in charge of promoting their products... its his job).

C'mon guys you're better than that.

It is what it is, it's never cool to flame... especially when its a person with a family, who's just doing his job. Some people like us like Apple, and other like Microsoft. It's their own choice.

[fletch33]

Originally Posted by SmoothiPhone

Honestly, I don't believe the iPhone didn't become a big hit due to Apple's side of things. If it weren't for the developers and hackers that unlocked the 2G and 3G phones then a great percentage of users would be lost. Thats how I honestly feel.

i agree with you when it comes to those of us hanging around here but a "great percentage" of iPhone users don't hack their phones at all. the iPhone really came into its own when the app store hit. i know a LOT of people with iPhones and the iPhone has been a blessing to me. i am the techy guy that generally has someone call me almost daily to fix their pc, mac, smart/pda phone, etc... and the iPhone has eliminated the confusion of not only activesync but trying to figure out what WM software runs on what phone etc.. the iPhone has made it look, like, click, use it, and no questions it just is there and works.

thanks app store you have freed up a lot of my time

Originally Posted by crewxp

...how the hell is this front page material?

.. I support Apple, but I'ld never stoop down to a low level and boast that Apple is better than Microsoft, or flame a Microsoft rep (who's in charge of promoting their products... its his job).

C'mon guys you're better than that.

It is what it is, it's never cool to flame... especially when its a person with a family, who's just doing his job. Some people like us like Apple, and other like Microsoft. It's their own choice.

not sure it's a flame but just calling him out on it. a lot of people had the impression it wouldn't take off much outside the Apple crowd.

i think that it is fair to say that there are many threads that also take a stand against Steve Jobs or Apple on here.

i see it as just a fun poke and im sure he can take the stab if he were ever to even hear about this thread

[matiofatio]

apple does have the advantage though that it sells the hardware as well which allow for higher price margins per phone

[HondaCop]

All I know is that Ballmer is no Bill Gates.