I just wrote a comment under the Cortana speaker article, made me feel that it could make for a good forum thread and some additions.
There was a time toward the end of the Ballmer era when I was telling people, "Microsoft is the new Apple. This is the company with fresh ideas and thoughtful innovaton. Google is now the evil 90's Microsoft. Apple is becoming RIM (Blackberry) - afraid to innovate and upset their status quo."
There was so much excitement for Nokia D&S coming in house, to finally bring the software and hardware together on a level not yet seen. Nadella's timing was so bad (for us consumers), he came in and killed it off before the fruits of labour could be realized. Say what you want about Mr. Ballmer, but I feel that he realized that he had dropped the ball in 2007 in dismissing the iPhone, and was boldly pushing forward with a vision for Microsoft to be a leader in innovative, top quality hardware for the consumer. It's unfortunate that Mr. Ballmer couldn't have remained in charge for another couple of years along with Mr. Elop.
I wish for Mr. Nadella to prove us all wrong and redeem himself in our eyes, but from what he's shown us, I feel that under Nadella, HoloLens never happens, Xbox dies with the red ring of death, Surface gets written off after the first generation, the Band never happens. Nadella gives us the impression*that he is adverse to risk taking and innovation. That he might be a "bean counter's" and share holder's CEO, reluctant to take risks, reluctant to stand by a product to build mindshare of the consumer, and ultimately market share.
This product (referring to the Cortana speaker) might simply be a legacy pipeline project which was half heartedly allowed to continue under Nadella and will now be casually thrown at the wall to see if it sticks.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think that the current state of affairs is simply the suffering before the resurrection? Can Satya Nadella prove us all wrong as we all sit here with our spirits broken, resentment toward Microsoft products growing?
Is there no turning back now? Nadella may want a return to the 90's of Microsoft being strictly software, with 3rd party OEM's handling the hardware. Many of us were looking forward to Mr. Ballmer turning Microsoft into a better version of Apple. I think what Mr. Nadella fails to see is that Microsoft can never have a market leading "cult like" following without first party hardware. I think we're all in agreement, that there there is just something special and more appealing about having a device like Surface, over a 3rd party brand. With the Nokia brand, Microsoft was covered, we loved Nokia Lumia's the way Apple consumers worship Apple's branding.
Props to Dell for really taking their products to the forefront since going private again. A few years ago, Dell had the "ick" factor, now products like the XPS 13 & XPS 15 are hard to resist, creating more positive feeling for the Dell brand.
But as it stands, how many of us truly want an Alcatel or Hewlett-Packard phone? Those brands & products just don't capture the passion (at least at this time). What if Microsoft can't secure a 3rd party OEM whom can really attract passionate customers to the ecosystem?
Nadella's Microsoft continuing to erode and destroy consumer goodwill is significantly damaging in the long term. How much longer until we suddenly redevelop the "Microsoft... eww" factor, that used to exist back in the "Mac vs PC" days.
Panos and whomever other few at the company in his vein (like the HoloLens guy - I forget his name), may be our only hope, but he needs bold leadership above him with a vision and courage to take risks who will allow him to build a positive image and a "must have" status for Microsoft.
Again, shame on Microsoft for allowing for a "brain drain", and not allowing talents like Juha Alakarhu and other innovators at Nokia to have a home at Microsoft.
Alright, this meanders a bit and doesn't stay totally focused on the core thought topic.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Maybe this thread can be our little "focus group / support group" for the old Windows Phone Central faithful who had such high hopes for the future, and who want to continue to do so, but Nadella / Microsoft is breaking our spirits on a daily basis recently.
There was a time toward the end of the Ballmer era when I was telling people, "Microsoft is the new Apple. This is the company with fresh ideas and thoughtful innovaton. Google is now the evil 90's Microsoft. Apple is becoming RIM (Blackberry) - afraid to innovate and upset their status quo."
There was so much excitement for Nokia D&S coming in house, to finally bring the software and hardware together on a level not yet seen. Nadella's timing was so bad (for us consumers), he came in and killed it off before the fruits of labour could be realized. Say what you want about Mr. Ballmer, but I feel that he realized that he had dropped the ball in 2007 in dismissing the iPhone, and was boldly pushing forward with a vision for Microsoft to be a leader in innovative, top quality hardware for the consumer. It's unfortunate that Mr. Ballmer couldn't have remained in charge for another couple of years along with Mr. Elop.
I wish for Mr. Nadella to prove us all wrong and redeem himself in our eyes, but from what he's shown us, I feel that under Nadella, HoloLens never happens, Xbox dies with the red ring of death, Surface gets written off after the first generation, the Band never happens. Nadella gives us the impression*that he is adverse to risk taking and innovation. That he might be a "bean counter's" and share holder's CEO, reluctant to take risks, reluctant to stand by a product to build mindshare of the consumer, and ultimately market share.
This product (referring to the Cortana speaker) might simply be a legacy pipeline project which was half heartedly allowed to continue under Nadella and will now be casually thrown at the wall to see if it sticks.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think that the current state of affairs is simply the suffering before the resurrection? Can Satya Nadella prove us all wrong as we all sit here with our spirits broken, resentment toward Microsoft products growing?
Is there no turning back now? Nadella may want a return to the 90's of Microsoft being strictly software, with 3rd party OEM's handling the hardware. Many of us were looking forward to Mr. Ballmer turning Microsoft into a better version of Apple. I think what Mr. Nadella fails to see is that Microsoft can never have a market leading "cult like" following without first party hardware. I think we're all in agreement, that there there is just something special and more appealing about having a device like Surface, over a 3rd party brand. With the Nokia brand, Microsoft was covered, we loved Nokia Lumia's the way Apple consumers worship Apple's branding.
Props to Dell for really taking their products to the forefront since going private again. A few years ago, Dell had the "ick" factor, now products like the XPS 13 & XPS 15 are hard to resist, creating more positive feeling for the Dell brand.
But as it stands, how many of us truly want an Alcatel or Hewlett-Packard phone? Those brands & products just don't capture the passion (at least at this time). What if Microsoft can't secure a 3rd party OEM whom can really attract passionate customers to the ecosystem?
Nadella's Microsoft continuing to erode and destroy consumer goodwill is significantly damaging in the long term. How much longer until we suddenly redevelop the "Microsoft... eww" factor, that used to exist back in the "Mac vs PC" days.
Panos and whomever other few at the company in his vein (like the HoloLens guy - I forget his name), may be our only hope, but he needs bold leadership above him with a vision and courage to take risks who will allow him to build a positive image and a "must have" status for Microsoft.
Again, shame on Microsoft for allowing for a "brain drain", and not allowing talents like Juha Alakarhu and other innovators at Nokia to have a home at Microsoft.
Alright, this meanders a bit and doesn't stay totally focused on the core thought topic.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Maybe this thread can be our little "focus group / support group" for the old Windows Phone Central faithful who had such high hopes for the future, and who want to continue to do so, but Nadella / Microsoft is breaking our spirits on a daily basis recently.
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