Comments on: Why There is No iLife (Life XP) for Windows

By: jbelkin

jbelkin — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:33:20 +0000

I also think that MS has proven they have no idea how to design easy to use software but that’s just part of their company culture. They’re used to designing apps that either sell MS servers or have a huge checklist of features that stack up against competitors because IT buyers want quantifiable measurements (easy to use, blah blah blah cannot be measured by IT standards).

It’s simply the difference between a Chevy Cargo Van and a BMW. There’s nothing wrong in either – their main DNA is just different.

And we can see when Ms tries to deviate into consumer territory, we get apps like the Music jukebox that was missing a CD burning feature until lo and behold itunes came out and it was re-designed to look suspiciously like itunes and now added the CD burning feature for free. And of course, other than if you work at MS, who honestly has EVER created a DVD using MovieMaker that worked correctly or didn’t require you to spend weeks and weeks? Again, just not in their DNA.

MS’ problem is when they try to be all things to all people – no one can do all that – jist like it’s not in Apple’s DNA to create corporate machines – different markets. Different agendas – different DNA’s.

But Apple has made it astonishly simple for WIN users. For $499, you can have ilife – you also get a mac with it – the mac mini – get a KVM switcher and you are set to go. You can even hide the mini under a magazine.

By: jbelkin

jbelkin — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 16:32:51 +0000

It’s simply the difference between a Chevy Cargo Van and a BMW. There’s nothing wrong in either – their main DNA is just different.

By: DWalla

DWalla — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 17:03:51 +0000

The way I look at it… Mac doesn’t have any worries… oh people have predicted their doom since the first Macintosh box opened, but such is not the case. Mac users being overly concerned that their machine platform may not last or be viable is a bit like BMW drivers worrying that their car may not be viable because everyone else drives a Hyundai. They are both cars and they will both get you places.

By: Jasper Van Proeyen

Jasper Van Proeyen — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:59:37 +0000

Sven, Charles, sorry… to make myself clear: Microsoft sells more copies of its Office suite on the Mac than it does on the PC if you take into account their market share (big oops).

Regards,
Jasper.

By: Charles

Charles — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:55:42 +0000

btw on posting a comment got a whole stack of PHP warning/error messages re Spam Karma. Have you donated, Sven? It might be karma coming back at ya if you haven’t… or just the penalty for being cutting edge if you have.
Comment appears OK, though. (This one can be deleted once the fault is sorted.)

By: Charles

Charles — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:52:26 +0000

Microsoft sells more copies of its Mac Office Suite than it does on its own OS

You really didn’t think before writing that, Jasper, did you? A little reflection would indicate that Office can’t have got that huge a monopoly on Mac sales alone. Corporations buy Office (for the PC) by the absolute truckload. Or site licences, which comes to the same thing.

As to why Microsoft hasn’t done an iLife, I agree with the sentiment: it really doesn’t need to, because that’s not a dealbreaker for anyone considering getting a new PC. That Macs have iLife might attract a few, but you’re forgetting that the sound of the advertising for iLife doesn’t reach much beyond the Macoblogosphere.

By: Sven

Sven — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:43:51 +0000

Jasper, according to 2002 sales alone of Windows XP SP1, I’d say your statement is waaaay off. “Microsoft said sales of its latest desktop operating system, Windows XP, hit 32 million OEM and retail copies as of April.” [Source]

Now since we know only a little more then a tenth of that number is about the what the Mac base install is (about 4 million,) that would mean even with every Mac user running Mac Office, you still wouldn’t be able to back up your claim.

As a side note, of all the Mac users I know (and I know a good chunk of them,) I am the only one running Mac Office. So I still stand behind my comment.

Paul, sorry about the misquote, I’ll get that corrected. Thanks for letting me know.

By: Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 14:07:59 +0000

No offense, but ActiveMac didn’t ask the question, I did: They link to my article on Connected Home. Please attribute this question appropriately, though obviously I’m not the first to ask it.

Thanks, Paul

By: Jasper Van Proeyen

Jasper Van Proeyen — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 08:34:04 +0000

Just to make this clear: Microsoft sells more copies of its Mac Office Suite than it does on its own OS, primarly because in case of the latter Office is mostly pirated. So I don’t think Apple is giving Microsoft more credit than any other company. Just be honest: you too would prefer Roz Ho to some guy in a bunny suit

By: DWalla

DWalla — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 07:48:05 +0000

On a side-note… you make the point very clear in your opening statement: “But what Cordero doesn’t understand is why doesn’t Microsoft have anything that comes close to iLife. The reason is simple, Microsoft doesn’t need to.”

They don’t need to because they are now so big and bloated, they can afford to be complacent. That is why pretty much everything that is exciting and innovative is happening on the Mac. It’s called capitalism… pure and simple. Make a better product, market the hell out of it… and people move over… and the numbers are showing this is what is happening.