Don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

We all remember a few years ago there were all kinds of rumors about Microsoft working on an iPhone killer. Let’s not forget that Microsoft did try to kill the iPod by introducing Zune 1.0 way ahead of time. Of course, that launch was a disaster, and Microsoft Zune never bounced back from it. Afterward, Microsoft officials denied having any plans to make an iPhone killer and talked about how the iPhone was overrated. But you could just tell Microsoft wouldn’t sit around and watch Apple dominate the mobile industry. So it’s no surprise that the company is back in the business of killing Apple products.

According to various sources, Microsoft is working on a multimedia device (codename Pink) that will finally put iPhone in its place or so Microsoft officials believe. Motorola is one of the main contenders to make the Microsoft Pink. Samsung and HTC are also competing for this project. To make matters worse, Verizon is throwing its hat into the ring to back a device it believes could challenge the iPhone. At this point, it is not known whether the “advanced talks” between Verizon and Apple officials have collapsed, but Verizon is still desperate to have an “iPhone-like” device.

I would love to see a phone that can put up a decent challenge against the iPhone. But as with other Microsoft products, Microsoft Pink will probably fall short in its mission to become the next iPhone killer. The iPhone is not built on only one pillar of strength. It is going to take something special from Microsoft to overcome the iPhone’s numerous layers of strength. Something tells me the Pink will not be that special.

Your take: can Microsoft finally put an end to the iPhone era? Will Microsoft Pink at least grab the No. 2 position behind  iPhone?

Not Steve Jobs, but Steve Ballmer. I can still remember the day Steve Ballmer wrote off iPhone as an “expensive phone” with no chance of gaining market momentum, but it took him long enough to come out and accept the fact that he may have been wrong. Of course, Steve is a smart man, and he is not going to admit that he was wrong. But he has conceded that Apple has some momentum going with the iPhone.

I’d say, iPhone has more than just some momentum, and Steve knows it. Microsoft doesn’t look kindly on its competitors but the iPhone is not some device they can better overnight. I am sure Microsoft will try to make life difficult for Apple, but I doubt they can slow down the momentum that Apple has with this shiny phone.

Your take: will iPhone be slowed down by Microsoft’s efforts?

Microsoft has finally decided to get into the business of iPhone apps. SeaDragon is an application that allows you to browse large images more effectively. Here is what intrigued me the most about this app. Microsoft said on their blog post that:

Seadragon Mobile brings the same smooth image browsing you get on the PC to the mobile platform. Get super-close in on a map or photo, with just a few pinches or taps of your finger. Browse an entire collection of photos from a single screen. You can browse Deep Zoom Images that you can create from your own pictures or your Photosynth collection (or anybody else’s).

I was very intrigued up until Microsoft talked about the “smooth” image browsing on PC. Nice stuff! But Microsoft shouldn’t quit their day job on this.

Just when you think Microsoft is ready to finally stop playing catch up and realize its flawed strategy, an executive comes out and claims things that you know are not true. Microsoft has claimed again that Apple’s success with the iPhone is nothing to brag about as they are strategizing to level the competition with Apple. I personally think the only way for Microsoft to effectively play ball with Apple is by either hiring Steve Jobs (not going to happen) or by changing the way the approach the business.

Microsoft has achieved a lot of success by following what others do and try to outduel them in their own backyard. But you cannot do that with Apple. Apple is no small company that can be tossed around by Microsoft. Has Microsoft a chance to dominate the mobile market? It’s possible, but I have yet to see a clear strategy for Microsoft beside immitating the market leaders.  So no. Microsoft will not kill the iPhone just like Zune did not kill the iPod. Next!

While many gadget freaks went out of their ways to get their hands on iPhones as soon as possible, there are still many who opt for Venus or even Voyager instead of iPhone. So is it price or service plan that is keeping you from getting an iPhone? So here is what I have heard so far from people who don’t have an iPhone yet:

• iPhone is too expensive
• iPhone is too techy
• iPhone’s plans are too expensive
• iPhone doesn’t have the right features (or iPhone is overrated).
• iPhone Gen 2.0 will be better
• iPhone is made by Apple

So I understand the point about iPhone being expensive. If you want to get your Phone for free and you only need a $29.99 a month plan, then iPhone is probably not right for you. iPhone can be intimidating to non-techies. Not that it’s justified, but technology can be intimidating to some. Of course, some people claim that iPhone is overrated, but I wonder what phone is better than iPhone (N95?!).

iPhone Gen 2.0 will definitely be better, but how long do you want to wait to get it. Also, if you are willing to wait a year to get iPhone 2.0, isn’t it better to wait 2 years to get iPhone 3.0?

I guess what makes the most sense here is if you are anti-Apple. Microsoft fans may not want to give Apple even a chance, and that is somewhat understanding. But I would tell these guys to work on their excuses as that’s pretty lame.

iPhone is a great phone, but there is no question that it is not for everyone. But don’t get it for the right reasons. Stop making excuses. So what’s your excuse?