Microsoft held its yearly shareholders' meeting Thursday with CEO Steve Balmer along with Chairman Bill Gates in attendance. While Gates did not take or answer any questions, Ballmer took questions on a variety of topics from Apple to Android.
According to TechFlash, shareholders questioned Ballmer about Microsoft's slipping reputation among college students and Apple's apparent gains among the same segment of consumers. "I'm just wondering why your marketing group can't do something to try to rein in this next generation, because you've got a real bad image out there," one shareholder reportedly said.
Ballmer responded that "opportunities for improvement" did exist and acknowledged that there "is a group of people with whom our market share is less." He ultimately played down Apple's growing market share, reportedly adding, "it is important to remember that 96 times out of 100 worldwide, people choose a PC with Windows, that's a good thing."
Another shareholder questioned Ballmer about Microsoft's plans to best both the iPhone and Google's Android mobile OS. Ballmer reportedly answered, "I think we're on the right strategy, which is to focus on the software that goes into phones, as opposed to building phones."
AppleInsider reported earlier in the year that Apple's Mac home market share had more than tripled in the past five years.
In October, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs was voted as being the most admired entrepreneur among teens 12 to 17 years of age.
78 Comments
Any questions about "When are you going to stop losing billions on your mobile and entertainment department?"
No Windows Phone?
I'm waiting for the day when MS has a shareholder smart enough to ask them "why don't you stop trying to copy everything Apple does, and come up with some new unique and innovative products of your own?"
"I think we're on the right strategy, which is to focus on the software that goes into phones, as opposed to building phones."
But wait! I thought Ray Ozzie said that mobile apps don't matter?!?!?
[QUOTE=AppleInsider;1523667]Shareholders questioned Microsoft execs "I'm just wondering why your marketing group can't do something to try to rein in this next generation, because you've got a real bad image out there," one shareholder reportedly said.
Balmer responded, "Its not about marketing. Its about delivering good products. By copying or "borrowing" from Apple we have attempted to do that. But now, without being able to bully everyone into forced use of our products, Apple continues to make exceptional headway. And that is exceptional! Does anyone want to talk about how Al Gore uses a Mac, while Sarah Palin uses a PC?"
I'm waiting for the day when MS has a shareholder smart enough to ask them "why don't you stop trying to copy everything Apple does, and come up with some new unique and innovative products of your own?"
Those people sold their ms stock, and bought aapl