Microsoft mulls iPhone software opportunities
updated 12:20 pm EDT, Tue March 25, 2008
Microsoft iPhone software
Microsoft is considering software development for the iPhone, writes Fortune. The financial magazine notes that for over a week, a team based in Silicon Valley has been experimenting with Apple's beta SDK, which come June will let developers publish and sell native iPhone applications. Microsoft executives explain that they are not sure whether any apps will actually be put into production, but are deeply interested in the possibility. "It's really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone,” says Tom Gibbons, corporate VP of the Specialized Devices and Applications Group.
"To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we’re actually in the process of trying to understand that now,” he adds. Office for Mac is said by Fortune to be an extremely profitable venture for Microsoft, creating millions of dollars in revenue; overall, Mac software may be producing approximately $200 million in profit for the company annually.
The general manager of the company's TellMe voice recognition division, Mike McCue, meanwhile comments that if the SDK permits voice recording and location-based information, development projects are practically guaranteed. "If the SDK supports these things," he says, "we’re absolutely going to get a version out there as soon as we can, get TellMe out there on the iPhone."
Microsoft development for the iPhone would however be somewhat contradictory, as for years it has pushed the development of its Windows Mobile platform, found on numerous smartphones and media players worldwide. The iPhone has been rapidly encroaching on marketshare however, and the company still faces tough competition from global leader Nokia, and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion.
God help us all!
03/25, 12:32pm reply
The Borg on the iPhone? Just the thought makes me shiver uncontrollably.
lkrupp
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2001
watch out
03/25, 12:35pm reply
they were deeply interested in designing software for the first Mac's and in the process learned a lot about gui's...
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
hmmmm....
03/25, 12:53pm reply
I thought their master of insight CEO Dillhole Ballmer said the iPhone wasn't serious and nobody would use it?
Then why develop for it? I certainly don't see Apple developing scheit for the Zune....
dwoodruff
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Joined: Jul 2006
don't you know?
03/25, 12:58pm reply
M$ wants their finger in everything, just in case. They'll throw cash away just to be sure.
That being said, they're still recognizing the legitimacy of the iPhone with these actions.
danviento
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Joined: Dec 2005
$$$$$$
03/25, 01:14pm reply
i love the way they come straight out and say about profits. nothing to do with giving public something that they want its just to make $. you gota love micro$oft.
dom2cool
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Joined: Nov 2006
nooooooo!!!
03/25, 01:14pm reply
Just say no! :P
Flying Meat
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Joined: Jan 2007
Ballmer never gets it
03/25, 01:28pm reply
Ballmer dismissed iPhone offhandedly in an interview just ahead of the launch. Mark that event as just another of MS's misreads of what consumers want from their technology.
Now, knowing they missed the music boat, perhaps there's a chance with the iPhone. After all, they'd only be about two years behind in a market they previously dominated. I'm sure the copy machines have been warmed up at big Redmond and are itching to sneak some of Apple's innovation into their products.
Not to worry though, MS's batting average is abysmal. XP is more or less as good as OS9.2. Vista is badly made joke trying to emulate OSX. They just don't get it. Certainly Ballmer never does.
Monde
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Joined: Jan 2004
poison the well...
03/25, 01:35pm reply
If Microsoft can place apps and utilities prominently on the AppStore, it may serve to undermine rather than support the platform or just plain confuse people...they are not blind to the fact that their mere association can be toxic to some.
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Contradictory?
03/25, 01:52pm reply
I fail to see how Microsoft making iPhone apps is any more contradictory than them making Office for the Mac which competes with Windows, and is growing in market share.
koolkid1976
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Joined: May 2003
Not so contradictory
03/25, 01:58pm reply
As you may know, the macros in the OSX product offerings provided for a number of security headaches for Apple.
I'd imagine Apps developed for the iPhone would be no less flawed. In MS's favor would be the cautious way most would adopt these iPhone apps. There would be undoubtedly, a focus on security which is not a MS strong point.
Monde
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Joined: Jan 2004