New Commercial, Jobs on Robbie Bach's Zune Comment

Ok, the commercials were funny and cute at first, but I think the one shown at the beginning of the keynote just went a little too far. They just take the gloves off and outright accuse Windows of stealing ideas. I'm not denying it, but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. There are several examples of Apple borrowing ideas and concepts for other developers/companies. It's gone from funny banter to just being rude and childish.

Then I read this today which really put me over the edge:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/17/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-part-liv-jobs-calls-robbie-bach-a-drunk/

Steve basically rips on Bach for saying the Zune is a competitive product for the iPod. You know, opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one. And what Steve said was just plain rude. Especially when you consider Bach could completely reverse that conversation on Jobs by talking about the market share of Macs to PCs. And quite frankly, I hope he does. At least Bach was being humble in implying the first Zune wasn't a viable alternative to the iPod.

I've always commented on how Microsoft has taken the high road while Apple throws these low-blows like an adolescent, and Jobs just keeps reinforcing that fact.

Actually, I hope Bach continues to take the high road, because it just makes these little rants look worse.

/rant

For those who don't know, Robbie Bach is in charge of Microsoft's entertainment division: Xbox, Zune, games, etc.

that was a little harsh to imply that of Bach. Jobs has always been a little trigger happy with words though

I can't believe anyone honestly thinks that MS has ever take the "high road" in anything....

I think Engadget's heading was a little misleading. It makes it sound like he called him a drunk when all he said was, "was he inebriated?" I don't think he was implying Bach has a drinking problem. However, it's still an attack on a person. That's not cool, Steve. Attack the Zune all you want, but leave the personal snipes out of it. I think the iPod sales numbers speak for themselves.

Oh, and I don't know anyone who owns a Zune.

I really like Apple and the products, but when I see and hear things like this, it almost makes me feel ashamed. I can't recall a major company being so outright offensive to a competing company and even stooping to personally attacking the people of that company. I'm sure this isn't the first personal attack Steve has made.

And, yes, MS is taking the high road. They could easily engage Steve and company in this kind of ad campaign and personal attacks, but whenever people ask about MS vs. Microsoft, I've always seen Gates 1. actually complement Apple and the work they do, and 2. simply talk about actual product attributes and why he feels the MS product is better in some ways, and Apple is better in other. That's taking the high road. That's class.

And this is all compounded by the infamous 1997 keynote where it was announced that MS would give a huge infusion of capital to Apple, and whether they had to or not doesn't change the fact that it happened. And that Jobs himself announced the days of comparison to MS, and back and forth about who was better, was over. It's never been so alive.

fleurya said:

And, yes, MS is taking the high road. They could easily engage Steve and company in this kind of ad campaign and personal attacks, but whenever people ask about MS vs. Microsoft, I've always seen Gates 1. actually complement Apple and the work they do, and 2. simply talk about actual product attributes and why he feels the MS product is better in some ways, and Apple is better in other. That's taking the high road. That's class.

Click to expand...

As far as i know, Gates have already commented about the ads and whatever Jobs said can't be worse than Ballmer's opinion on the iPhone. In both cases respect towards Apple was the last thing in their words.
I didn't like the ad for the keynote this year, but is no different from the previous year banner (Redmond start your photocopies). About the commentaries, well, Jobs after all is human, and the only expectation from humans that never fails is that they, sooner or later, will disappoint you.