Yep it's all a ton a "carp". All comes down to fact that Bill looks down on Steve because Steve isn't a programmer. It's always been that way. No matter how gadgets Steve makes with an "i" on the front of it...

@Mark Taggart

"I am a huge fan of both companies products...."

I hate them both, just can't decide which one more... Actually, it has to be Apple. As much as MSN sucks, I still use the protocol (if only because so many people I know still use it)

"I dont know why everybody expects these guys to be right all the time and then take pot shots when they get it wrong. I get it wrong all the damn time! :-)"

With their multi-billion dollar budgets, they'd better be right. But they spend 2/3 of said budget on ads, and half of the rest on graphics, leaving 1/6 on devs. Hence failure after failure. First Ifone sucked. First Ip0d sucked. Ip@d sucks. OSX 10.0 was bad, and would be worse, if they did remove the CLI not one geek would be caught dead with it. Apple has a history of making crap, and then refining it. Only accidents keep them afloat.

"The office suite of products has made business life so much more easy/efficient."

Yeah, the clip has definitely made my life easy. So did crashes every 5 pages of un-saved stuff. So did shelling out a $100 as a student just so that school's comps can read my files every time a new office comes out.

"Gates has become a wealthy guy who has donated huge amounts to good causes, keeps lots of people employed etc. The fact he was so humble about not aiming high enough is pretty cool."

Having wasted TENS OF BILLIONS of man-hours (say, 10 000 000 000 hrs X 10$/hr = 100 000 000 000 $) both at home and at work (and, by that stretch, schools, governments, wasting billions of taxpayers' money on top of that too), he'd damn better donate some billions of dollars to decent causes. So far, he fails to do that. Actually, replacing all that the society has lost because of him would involve selling M$ and donating ALL THE MONEY to charities. He would still fall well short too.

"So what if they get it wrong.... If the world had more generous, creative people like this then wouldnt it be a better place?"

Like this? No, it most definitely wouldn't. Let us say that I make you work for nothing for a year, and then donate a week's salary at minimum wage to Sick Kids... Is that generous? Hardly. \|/|\

Im speaking out of my arse? really, what factual information was wrong, open office having poor interversion compatability? The gates foundation giving shed loads of cash to charities? both of those an very true im affraid.

so please do tell whats so wrong about either of those two statements!!

MS and apple have made shed loads of cash because they were business started at the right time and run very well, they are a business, their job is to make money, you seem to think that they own you something, no they dont, if you dont like their stuff then dont buy it, its quite simple, i would hazard a guess an say that any one of you anti-MS folk out thre would jump at the chance of making that much cash if you would have had the idea first. hell i bet many of you would quite happily take a Job with MS if they gave you enough cash, so dont go pretending your trying to save the world from capitolism because at the end of the day we are all greedy bas****s the only difference is some of us try an help others out along the way, gates foundation.

The difference between Bill Gates and most Apple Snot-ware buyers is that he is looking to be productive while everybody else just wants to suck on whatever media lactating teat Job's Mob lowers in front of their puckered pie-holes.

First there was Tune-Tit, later it became Tune+Video+Movie+TV-Show Tit. With the iPad, you now have a fully augmented Titanic Tit of All Media for the drooling masses to nurse on.

The iPad is too little, too soon.

Plenty of people will just have to have the latest piece of Apple Snotware regardless of whether it's useful or not.

I know what I want from a Slate PC. Bill knows what he wants from a Slate PC. Sad truth, is that it can't be done. We don't yet have the technology. We can't put enough processing power into a small enough space and run it for as few watts/hour as needed.

Seriously, anyone writing off the iPad as a computing device for the masses right now is jumping the gun. There is a large market for a simplified computing device with mail, internet, apps and a bigger screen than the iPhone. Will the iPad be succesful in tapping that market, that is the unknown.

+ the casual friendly interface is proven
+ the media services are second to none
+ weight and battery life are right
- for a casual device the price is still high
- no immediate killer service

I give it six months. If it sells more than 3 million units it will end up taking over the world, its a question of tipping points.

I have used a Mac for years, but even I can see that Bill Gates is a nice guy and Steve Jobs is the reincarnation of Ramses the Second.

However, Microsoft just do not understand consumers (Zune anyone?) while Steve unerringly know what people will want in three years time ( always novelty, style, convenience and lots more profits for Apple).

Just never buy the first model and think seriously about forking our for the top of the range!

Everyone was expecting a tablet form factor computer. Apple produced a fairly passive-user/media-consumption device.

If iPad had a full Mac OS 10 operating system then it would have been a killer.

iPad may open up the tablet market, but in it's present form it will not dominate.

And, hey, why is the camera on the back?!?!?! That's just silly.

WTF is Gates doing chiming in on all sort of Microsoft-related issues lately (like dissing their competitors) :

- "I don't understand why GOOGLE is having problems obeying the law and doing business in China" (reading from Balmer's script).

- "I don't think the 'iPad' is any good".

I thought he "retired to become a philanthropist"? I guess real greedy zillionaires never retire, they just lie about that like they did about their business ethics during their "benevolent" employment years.

Or, perhaps he -- apparently having successfully driven people to use iPhones -- is now working as a reverse-psychology marketing agent for Apple?

In any case, I wish he would just shut his pie-hole and just quietly issue service patches for malaria and global warming instead. Might as well use that ill-gotten cash for something useful.

(IMHO, the 'iPad' is another of Jobs' miscreants, and Microsoft products are similarly trashy, so I think I will wait for a nice Android net-tablet to come along).

The IPad is tech for those with an IQ to the left of the Bell Curve.

Should be marketed as "The Tablet for Tards".

"No, it's not for your mom or kids or grandparents."

Why is that? Is it because you said so? I can say the opposite. Why? Because it makes the more common tasks simpler than a computer. Just like the iPhone/iPod software, it's so simple, most people can just pick it up and start doing work on it.

As for Bill Gates...pfffft!!

It's not a computer!! Do you not comprehend? iGetIt and I'm getting it!!

Perspective. The iPhone was a good device because it entered a stagnant market with innovation and a lot of promise. Anyone looking at it knew that if they could sell enough they'd be the leader. The iPad is not innovative nor does it address any real market need (even the ereader market). The iPad isn't about the iPad anyway. It's about content, restricted content, and an opportunity for Apple to do first what Microsoft tried to do with Vista's embedded DRM--only Apple is doing it without the DRM files.

This literally is a large ipod Touch with a bigger screen. No, it's not for your mom or kids or grandparents. They aren't going to break their routine for a device where they constantly try to get focused on the screen while outdoors or worry constantly about the battery life. But, alas Jobs said that they could use it while plugged in and that's how most would use it.

And as for Open Office. I see it used in business all the time. I wish people would stop fearing competition and making unreasoned excuses against it.

@Mike
I suppose posting 'Apple Morons' is not taking sides then? I guess you don't do irony either.
A typical 'in denial' follow up post making an argument that I didn't pose in the first place. FWIW I agree that Apple and Microsoft benefit from each others businesses - it's so obvious it barely merits saying.
My quibble is with misinformation, repeated ad nauseam by uninformed narrow minded pundits.
If the cap fits then you carry on fighting your 'war' on Apple users.
Jeez

The problem with tablets in general is there is very little demand for them. Due to thier lightweight and low heat design they are required to have much less processing power. I resell PC and Mac solutions for a national reseller and the general opinion is that the IPad will still only be able to manage basic applications and likely only one productivity application at a time.

The tablet market is an attractive idea yes, but the higher requirements of programs and user data is at a point where this technology is in fact maybe one step above a book reader.

@Darren: You're speaking out of your ass, like everyone else, who gets fed from the press, and which they present as "educated knowledge". I would say exactly what bigger said. You don't become a billionaire, not ever. The US corporations are the biggest monopolies on the planet. They make more billionaires than every other country combined. MS and gAypple haven't done anything substantial to warrant the attention they get. The fact is, people like Steve are good at what they do- but you don't have to buy their words just because they're cool.

your inteligence is matched only by that of a 3 year old, im just going to pick on a couple of things from the garbage that just littered my monitor that you wrote.

Open office is good, yes, if you dont like cross version compatability and hate spreadsheet, form an page layout because open office has serious issues, MS Office does not, but yes, openoffice does have its uses, a replacement for notepad being one of them, anything serious, or more to the point anything that will be sent and read on different computers by different people on potentially different versions of software, open office is not the way to go.

Secondly, your so called "FACT" firstly where did you get your figures from?

and just curious but do you know how much of that money is piped in to charities schools and hospitals? the gates foundation is the single greatest idea to come out of MS, he doesnt pocket all the cash, and he isnt the highest paid worker there.

@fricfrac

Thats just one of the many articles on Microsoft's investment into Apple. Dont be one of those idiots who has to sit on one side or the other and cant comprehend that Microsoft and Apple work together mutually to a degree. While they are competitors they are business partners. Apple needs Microsoft for a lot of items. Not that they couldn't do them on their own but they need Microsoft and realize that a partnership benefits them both. Watch the video where Steve Jobs talks about this back when Steve returned to Apple. He needed Microsoft and still does to this day.

The David vs Goliath is not Microsoft vs Apple. Its more Microsoft/Apple vs Google today. Its comical to see people who dont get it. In the end Microsoft and Apple win and dont have to worry about anyone talking about Monopoly and breakups.

You aren't hurting Microsoft when you buy a MAC. Money still rolls into Bill's pocket when you buy an Apple. And quite a few people install Windows 7 on thier MAC's even if you dont.

No matter you keep buying Apple while Steve and Bill G laugh all the way to the bank. Rightfully so they both play a great game and you fight the war that doesn't exist.

Bill Gates is not impressed by the iPad, but was impressed enough with Steve Ballmer to have him run Microsoft, and look at what a fantastic job Ballmer is doing! I don't put much credence in what Bill Gates finds impressive, or otherwise.

@ Mike... moron yourself.
lazy too. You didn't even read the article you quoted.
Apple had $1.2billion in cash at the time. The $150 million was an investment to ensure IE was the default browser on the Mac and was for non-voting shares so they owned precisely nothing of Apple's real worth. Microsoft also had to commit to developing the Office suite for 5 years on the Mac.
Many analysts at the time thought it was a fairly transparent manoeuvre by Microsoft at the time to avoid DOJ sanctions for illegal trading practices.
The shares were cashed in after 3 years which was a requirement written into the deal.

Bill Gates owns 7% of Apple - not from this deal. If you or anyone else who keeps on posting this lie had actually bothered to do some basic checking before shooting their mouth off, you would not appear to be the 'moron' you actually are.

Oh...'and eventually you will install Windows on those MAC's' ROTFLOL

Moron indeed

If Gates belives in his own vision of tablets, with keyboard and speech recognition soo much, which did Microsoft shut down their TabletPC team last year?
And he never allowed them to do one, made and sold by Microsoft.

Secondly, his vision, ehum. It has not been an success yet. Speech recognition is cool technology, or at least was, but how usable is it to have used talk to their computer, either at work, home or one the road?

And keyboard, I tested tabletPC from the first from Acer and HP, to the current, and none of those have been as easy to bring with you, and take up instant, and when put back. It lacks that "lets use it just for a few minute, and put back and forget it" that iPhone etc has, and that iPad might also have

Don't know what has all these folks so scared. My grand daughter's blind and the iPad has a screen reader built in. She can hardly wait and neither can I. I've got my name on the notification list. Probably right next to Bill's.

A lot of "tech pundits" and business consultants are trash talking the iPad. There are ALWAYS plenty of people lined up to trash anything Apple does. That's because, whenever Apple succeeds, people who bet on Nokia or RIM or MSFT tend to lose. Or they just want talk the price of AAPL down so they can buy more shares.

What I'm hearing from all the reviewers/commentator with a TRACK RECORD-- people I actually TRUST is that it's a great device. Certainly, it blows the Kindle out of the water, and it is a better choice for many people than a net book. FAST; great display; long battery life; rugged; inexpensive-- especially if you schew 3G and just use your home wifi.

Dont any of you know that Bill Gates invested in Apple.
http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-202143.html

Do any of you have a clue what those shares are worth?

I believe Bill Gates owns around 7% of Apple

Bill Gates also said that Steve Jobs was one of the most creative people he has ever met.

Apple market share means Microsoft is not a Monopoly.

Microsoft doesn't lose money when Apple succeeds they still make money. Your not getting away without using Office and eventually you will install Windows on those MAC's. The only time Microsoft doesnt make money is when you buy into Google or Linux.

Do any of you know why BING is on the iPhone? Blackberry is not BING?

Open Office does not collaborate in a corporate environment like Microsoft office. Open Office is a great product for a single user but does not compare to Microsoft Office.

Keep buying those iPhones Bill Gates thanks you.

"The office suite of products has made business life so much more easy/efficient." -- Pffft! The similar OpenOffice is available for free.

You left out some bits, self-declared fanboy. I'll fill in:
"Gates has become a wealthy guy who" used illegal and unethical means to rip people off so that he can now PRETEND
to donate "huge amounts to good causes" when a "charitable trust" is nothing but a tax shelter and a PR front (though
may disburse some money upon questionable goals), actually funded by "lots of people employed" at as near a subsistence level as The Rich can get them to accept.

"The fact he was so humble about not aiming high enough is pretty cool." -- Gag.

"If the world had more generous, creative people like this then wouldnt it be a better place?" -- No, it'd be turning into a global police state. It's now clear that M$ is key to putting in a computerized surveillance grid.

Bill Gates was rewarded FAR too much for modest abilities. We could have gotten his input for much less if the more
rational progressive tax rates of the 70's hadn't been dismantled by rabid capitalists, who have turned their
efforts to enslaving the rest of us. Why do billionaires prattle about trimming wages as efficient for an economy
while their own income is so out of proportion to value? -- Because that's HOW they get their high incomes. NO PERSON actually earns much through personal efforts: high incomes come from skimming off the labor of many others.

Here's an interesting FACT: taking just ballpark figures of 55 billion and he's 55: Gates has gotten an income of about
2.7 MILLION EVERY DAY OF HIS LIFE FROM BIRTH, or 114000 EVERY HOUR OF HIS LIFE.

NO ONE IS WORTH THAT MUCH. It's not only unfair, but INSANE to allow. Such a concentration of money creates a force
destructive to the rest of society, sheerly because control over people is the one thing left to obtain.

Sour grapes from the World's Richest Geek. It must drive Billy-boy crazy to see all the cool and innovative goodies Apple keeps creating. And all he has is the Zune....hahahahaha #fail

"It's a nice reader"

Yeah, because it's ONLY a reader. Good one, Bill. Thanks for clearing things up.

Jealousy does crazy things to a man.

iPad news and updates:

http://www.iPadLot.com

Microsoft yells fail = people want one. Expect to see in every US TV show over the next 2 years.

I have never know a competitor to like their competitions products. But Bills comments are a good indicator that the iPad will be hugely successful. If anyone does not understand the power of simplicity, they will never understand the iPad. I support MS Products and it is a pleasure working with non Ms products that are simple and do not throw up errors. The iPhone works flawlessly for me and I welcome a large iphone/iTouch device. I believe the iPhone OS has it's roots in Linux/Unix. On surprises on reliability and use of memory. Good Luck Bill, the world is changing and you are slowly loosing you grip.

Lol @JeeBee

"The fact is that the software technology in the iPad is far ahead of what Microsoft have"

Oh no... the iPad OS better than Windows 7 or even XP for that matter? What planet are you on?

I am a huge fan of both companies products....

I dont know why everybody expects these guys to be right all the time and then take pot shots when they get it wrong. I get it wrong all the damn time! :-)

The office suite of products has made business life so much more easy/efficient. Gates has become a wealthy guy who has donated huge amounts to good causes, keeps lots of people employed etc. The fact he was so humble about not aiming high enough is pretty cool.

So what if they get it wrong.... If the world had more generous, creative people like this then wouldnt it be a better place?

Hi Nick - care to make a prediction of the iPad's first year's sales? You know, something that you can stand behind in a year's time...?

My bet is that it won't have the instant appeal of the iPhone, but that it's just what an awful lot of non-tecchies out there would find much more usable than the more advanced (ie. complicated) netbooks and full OS tablets out there. We'll see...

*goes to buy shares in Apple, with the iPad now guaranteed to be a massive success*

Gates just doesn't like the fact that Apple have got a tablet device that is actually a good tablet computer. Sure, the actual need for a tablet computer is unknown (seems that there isn't a massive market from the reaction so far), but that applies to the market at large (including his beloved tablet PCs with styluses that get lost, although a stylus is far more natural for handwriting than a fingertip).

The fact is that the software technology in the iPad is far ahead of what Microsoft have, and if the iPad fails, then all tablet PCs will fail. If that keeps people on desktops and laptops running Windows 7, Microsoft win, so Gates has a vested interest in dissing the iPad.

Unfortunately the Microsoft bigwiggery have been behind the curve for years and years and have had to play catch-up with virtually every new major development in the industry. The i-pad, despite the brickbats being thrown at it, will sell by the millions, and by the end of the decade, tablet devices will be in every home and taken for granted as an everyday appliance.

I'm more interested in Gates admitting how he reacted to the iPhone:

"Oh my God, Microsoft didn't aim high enough."

Looks like Gates was in shock when he saw the iPhone. But maybe that reaction was only after Gates saw Microsoft's Windows Mobile Phone market collapse.

After all, Ballmer laughed at the iPhone when it was first released, saying who would want that!