Bill says, “Apple’s just lucky!”

Bill Gates

Bill Gates

This article appeared in the New York Post.  It’s priceless.  There’s Sabre rattling and then, there’s Sabre rattling.  On a more specific topic, you can be sure that the cell phone purveyors are thinking about a phone-based MP3 world.  But, as history has so often shown — thinking doesn’t mean you going to get it right! Shelly Palmer

 

May 13, 2005 — FRANKFURT, Germany — Microsoft Corp. co- founder Bill Gates says Apple Computer Corp. shouldn’t get too comfortable atop the portable music playing world.

“I don’t think the success of the iPod can continue in the long term, however good Apple may be,” the former chairman of Microsoft, the world’s biggest maker of computer software, was quoted as telling German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung yesterday.

“I think you can draw parallels here with the computer — here, too, Apple was once extremely strong with its Macintosh and graphic user interface, like with the iPod today, and then lost its position.”

The iPod is one of the world’s most popular portable digital music players, with more than 15 million sold since they were introduced.

But makers of mobile phones are targeting the device — unveiling models that feature not only phones, but onboard music players so users can download their music from services directly to their phones.

Sony Ericsson and Nokia have models, and more are being made by others, including Samsung and Motorola, which is working with Apple directly.

Author:

Shelly Palmer

Shelly Palmer is Fox 5 New York's On-air Tech Expert (WNYW-TV) and the host of Fox Television's monthly show Shelly Palmer Digital Living. He also hosts United Stations Radio Network's, Shelly Palmer Digital Living Daily, a daily syndicated radio report that features insightful commentary and a unique insiders take on the biggest stories in technology, media, and entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group, LLC an industry-leading advisory and business development firm and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards).