“Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer isn’t known for being a shrinking violet and he lived up to his reputation at Microsoft’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto. In an interview with CRN Ballmer made it abundantly clear what Microsoft’s attitude towards Apple was:
We are trying to make absolutely clear we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple. We are not going to let any piece [go uncontested]. Not the consumer cloud. Not hardware software innovation. We are not leaving any of that to Aple by itself. Not going to happen. Not on our watch.
Big words. However, upon being asked what Microsoft palnned to do, if anything, about developing its very own smartphone Ballmer wasn’t quote so unequivocal. He talked about Microsoft’s commitment to the Surface and made sure to mention that Nokia and HTC were good hardware partners. He didn’t completely rule out the possibility of Microsoft developing its own handset it has to be noted, but the chances of that in the near term aren’t too high. The Surface tablet is the first time Microsoft has developed its very own Windows based device so it’s an important step for the company in that respect. Ballmer clearly want to take Apple on directly, but his ‘Churchillian’ rhetoric aside Microsoft has a lot of work to do to really make that happen.” via mobile-review.com