Microsoft CTO touts BlackBerry, iPod

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1041-5108040.html' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1041-5108040.html</a><br /><br /></div>"Microsoft's chief technology officer touted the Blackberry e-mail device and Apple Computer's iPod in front of an audience of information technology directors and developers. In addition to owning a Blackberry and loving the iPod, David Vaskevitch said he always carries a digital camera. But he didn't mention using one of Microsoft's own Pocket PC devices. <br /><br />Vaskevitch, who reports directly to company Chairman Bill Gates and is responsible for developing a strategy and architecture for future Microsoft platforms, was speaking for a discussion panel on wireless devices at the Salesforce.com user and developer conference in San Francisco on Tuesday. According to Vaskevitch, he carries an Apple iPod, Research in Motion's BlackBerry device and a digital camera when travelling, because each device is tailored to a specific job and does that job very well. The comments raised speculation among his audience that Microsoft may have an eye on developing more specific devices."<br /><br />This article left a bad taste in my mouth. :? If the CTO of Microsoft won't use a Microsoft OS-based product to listen to music or get his email, who will? Microsoft has this concept called "dog food" where they use their own software internally for everything, including betas of operating systems, office apps, and Exchange servers. They have a belief, and rightly so, that the only way they can make great products is to "eat their own dog food" - if it tastes bad to them, it will taste just as bad to the customer. I've always thought this was a great concept, because it forced them to look at their own products and want to make them better.<br /><br />So why doesn't this extend to hardware? Why doesn't the CTO of Microsoft "dog food" his own OS to see how it could be made better for digital audio? And why doesn't he use a Windows Mobile-based device for getting his email, so he can see how that experience could be made better?

[possmann]

Excellent point Todd!

I could not agree with your observation more as this screams of hypocrisy! I certainly hope that Bill gives this guy a talking to as l believe their CTO just gave Microsoft a big fat black eye.
:2gunfire:

[irishmikev]

Remember that even with full MIS implementation you won't receive the same functionality of a Blackberry device. It will mimick that functionality, but it's more of a wakeup call + pull than a push format. Personally I use ActiveSync with my PPC2003 device and my Bluetooth/GPRS phone. Then again I've decided that I don't need immediate delivery and don't respond back often enough when away to need a keyboard.

For most organizations that have already identified a need for wireless email, a good amount of money has been spent on implementing RIM's server infrastructure. This actually has been identified by MS as something they can leverage. Microsoft is partnering with Research in Motion and will presumably be incorporating software into future SmartPhone or PocketPC devices that will allow Push communication with a Blackberry server. Don't come down too hard on the guy because he's using hardware from a partner. :) Also unless he's using the Desktop Redirection software (which does not work with Exchange 2003 so it's unlikely) to send email to his Blackberry, there were enough people at Microsoft who wanted one to set up at least one Blackberry Enterprise Server. You'll have to 'shame shame' a lot of people in that case at MS. :)

&lt;cheap shot>Besides, how will MS steal the idea unless they use it first? ;) &lt;/cheap shot>[/u]