“Inspired” by Apple

Microsoft Surface Tablet: So many thoughts running though my head. Yet I am already late to this particular snark party.

Here’s Jon Moltz:

Wonder where they got the idea for it?

Scene: Microsoft meeting room, March, 2011, just after the unveiling of the iPad 2.

Steven Sinofsky: ”We think people are really going to get into mobile computing. Our independent market research all points to this. The only question is, how can we create a user experience that delights and amazes our customers in this burgeoning field?”

Steve Ballmer: “Wait a second! Why don’t we make the hardware and the software!”

Steven Sinofsky: ”Boss, you’re brilliant! Where do you come up with these ideas?!”

Here’s Jim Dalrymple asking:

What do Microsoft and Axl Rose have in common?

Ben Brooks:

Some smart features but not worth thinking about until three things happen:

1. Price is announced.

2. Firm ship date announced.

3. Battery life announced.

Until then, you don’t really have a product.

Finally, back to Jon again (and this really is snark worthy of “Inspired” by Apple):

Looks great! Not available yet! No pricing! Don’t look at Apple, look at us!

It does look great, though, and is really just the kind of thing Microsoft needs to do to regain relevancy in the tablet market, if it hasn’t already slipped away from it. So, on first blush and with a big fat question mark still over the pricing and availability and build quality and half a dozen other things like battery life and having two completely incompatible versions, I’d say good job, Redmond.

OH, GOD, I JUST BURST INTO FLAMES.

Well done, guys. Saucers of bitchy, catty, snarky milk for all. I SALUTE YOU.

(image from New York Times)