03/25/2008, 12:20pm, EDT
Tuesday, March 25thMicrosoft mulls iPhone software opportunities
Microsoft is considering software development for the iPhone, writes Fortune. The financial magazine notes that for over a week, a team based in Silicon Valley has been experimenting with Apple's beta SDK, which come June will let developers publish and sell native iPhone applications. Microsoft executives explain that they are not sure whether any apps will actually be put into production, but are deeply interested in the possibility. "It's really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone,” says Tom Gibbons, corporate VP of the Specialized Devices and Applications Group.
"To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we’re actually in the process of trying to understand that now,” he adds. Office for Mac is said by Fortune to be an extremely profitable venture for Microsoft, creating millions of dollars in revenue; overall, Mac software may be producing approximately $200 million in profit for the company annually.
The general manager of the company's TellMe voice recognition division, Mike McCue, meanwhile comments that if the SDK permits voice recording and location-based information, development projects are practically guaranteed. "If the SDK supports these things," he says, "we’re absolutely going to get a version out there as soon as we can, get TellMe out there on the iPhone."
Microsoft development for the iPhone would however be somewhat contradictory, as for years it has pushed the development of its Windows Mobile platform, found on numerous smartphones and media players worldwide. The iPhone has been rapidly encroaching on marketshare however, and the company still faces tough competition from global leader Nokia, and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion.
Filed under: iPod, iPhone, software, developer
Other story tags: Microsoft, iPod touch, Windows Mobile, SDK, Office, Office 2008
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posted by lkrupp
posted by nat
Then why develop for it? I certainly don't see Apple developing scheit for the Zune....
posted by dwoodruff
That being said, they're still recognizing the legitimacy of the iPhone with these actions.
posted by danviento
posted by dom2cool
posted by Flying Meat
Now, knowing they missed the music boat, perhaps there's a chance with the iPhone. After all, they'd only be about two years behind in a market they previously dominated. I'm sure the copy machines have been warmed up at big Redmond and are itching to sneak some of Apple's innovation into their products.
Not to worry though, MS's batting average is abysmal. XP is more or less as good as OS9.2. Vista is badly made joke trying to emulate OSX. They just don't get it. Certainly Ballmer never does.
posted by Monde
posted by Feathers
posted by koolkid1976
I'd imagine Apps developed for the iPhone would be no less flawed. In MS's favor would be the cautious way most would adopt these iPhone apps. There would be undoubtedly, a focus on security which is not a MS strong point.
posted by Monde