Neowin News Feed for: Ballmer

Ex Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer originally wanted to name Cortana as 'Bingo'

Sayan Sen — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 22:51:01 +0000

Steve Ballmer, the ex-Microsoft CEO, apparently wanted to name what we know today as Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant as "Bingo" instead. This was revealed by a former Cortana Product Manger. Read more...

Steve Ballmer has some advice for Facebook and Google on their legal woes

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 19:16:01 +0000

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer thinks tech giants should try and address issues with regulators as amicably and as quickly as possible, cautioning them against a combative approach. Read more...

Ballmer discusses regrets as Microsoft CEO, failing to recognise hardware trends sooner

Muhammad Jarir Kanji — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:18:02 +0000

In a recent interview, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discussed his regrets during his tenure, noting his languidness in the development of new and compelling hardware experiences. Read more...

Ballmer says he and Gates disagreed on the hardware business

Christopher White — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 21:16:01 +0000

Although the Surface brand is a hot commodity right now, Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates disagreed on whether Microsoft should even pursue it. Ballmer's only regret? Not forcing the decision sooner. Read more...

Ballmer calls Microsoft's cloud numbers 'bulls---'; wants Android apps on Windows 10 Mobile

Vlad Dudau — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:08:01 +0000

Microsoft's ex-CEO, Steve Ballmer, isn't happy with the way the company is reporting financial information. He's also critical of his former employer's efforts in the mobile markets. Read more...

Windows 8 failed at nearly everything it set out to accomplish

Brad Sams — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:58:01 +0000

Windows 8 was nearly a complete failure on every front; it cost two high-ranking executives their jobs, failed to secure Microsoft's mobile future and failed to build a truly successful app store. Read more...

Ford dumps Microsoft's tech for infotainment system

Brad Sams — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:48:01 +0000

Ford has announced that it will be parting ways with Microsoft for the next generation of its Sync platform and will use Blackberry's QNX instead to replace its infotainment system. Read more...

Ballmer: Microsoft and Apple are two trick ponies

Brad Sams — Mon, 05 May 2014 12:41:38 +0000

Steve Ballmer, at one of his first public appearances after stepping down as CEO, has said that both Apple and Microsoft are two trick ponies, in a recent video posting from a speech in March. Read more...

Ballmer's biggest regret while CEO was Vista's 'loopedy-loo'

Brad Sams — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 17:30:06 +0000

In a new interview, Steve Ballmer said that his biggest regret while CEO was, to no surprise, the Longhorn-to-Vista launch issues that plagued the OS with negative public perception. Read more...

Here is Ballmer's email telling his employees he is retiring

Brad Sams — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:49:50 +0000

Steve Ballmer sent an email to all Microsoft employees to announce his retirement and we have posted a copy of the email after the jump for your reading pleasure. Read more...

Microsoft stock surges after Ballmer announces retirement plans

Brad Sams — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:40:32 +0000

Microsoft's stock has risen steeply following Ballmer's announcement that he would retire within the next 12 months and that a committee has formed to find his replacement. Read more...

Microsoft's reorg all but certain, several execs rumored for promotion

Brad Sams — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 12:53:32 +0000

Microsoft is almost certainly going to reorganize the company after they close the books on this fiscal year and three executives have been highlighted for possible promotion in the new structure. Read more...

Ballmer praises Sinofsky, still no reason for exit

Andrew Stevenson — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:57:39 +0000

While it might be some time before the reasons behind Steve Sinofsky's departure are made clear, Steve Ballmer hasn't hesitated in heaping praise on the former Windows chief. Read more...

Ballmer: Windows Phone 8 sales will ramp up quickly

Vlad Dudau — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:51:48 +0000

At a conference in Israel, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said he believes sales of Windows Phone 8 devices will ramp up quickly. The unprecedented marketing campaign Microsoft is doing will surely help. Read more...

Microsoft is not releasing Windows 8 / Surface sales numbers yet

Vlad Dudau — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:55:01 +0000

Microsoft has been launching products left and right in the last weeks and all to some pretty good reviews. However we have yet to see sales numbers and Ballmer says it will stay like that for now. Read more...

Ballmer shoots down $199.99 Surface rumor

Christopher White — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:08:29 +0000

While everyone waits patiently for the release of Microsoft Surface, it was revealed in an interview with Steve Ballmer that the product will not be cheap but will be part of Microsoft's epic year. Read more...

Ballmer's memo to employees is passionate, optimistic

Brad Sams — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:24:49 +0000

Steve Ballmer, the head of Microsoft, sent out an internal memo to rally the troops and promote how far the company has come in such a short time and how proud he is of all the employees. Read more...

Hedge fund manager who called for Ballmer to step down buys more shares in Microsoft

Brad Sams — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:40:21 +0000

After publicly calling out Steve Ballmer's for poor stock performance while he has been CEO, hedge fund manager David Einhorn has purchased more stock in Microsoft. Read more...

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference: Ballmer Keynote

Tzvi Friedman — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:04:27 +0000

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage today to deliver the keynote address at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. Before he took the stage, a presentation was shown that displayed the efforts being taken by... Read more...

Ballmer: Google has taken a failed approach so far to tablets

Brad Sams — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:31:26 +0000

Steve Ballmer has never been shy to take a swipe at the competition. Besides, isn't that what the CEO of a billion dollar corporation is supposed to do? When it comes to tablets, Ballmer is... Read more...

Microsoft steps back from Ballmer's Windows 8 comments

Brad Sams — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:05:41 +0000

It was only yesterday that Microsoft's CEO stated that "as we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different... Read more...

Microsoft employees rate Steve Ballmer as worst CEO

Brandon Boyce — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 01:52:50 +0000

A company rating and review website, Glassdoor.com, regularly quizzes employees of tech companies how they feel about their current CEO asking: "Do you approve of the way your CEO is leading the company?" Unfortunately for... Read more...

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirms no Zune HD for Europe

Tom Warren — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:33:08 +0000

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed on Monday that the software giant has no plans to release the Zune HD in Europe. Speaking at Microsoft's UK Tech Days event, Ballmer denied there were any plans to release... Read more...

Ballmer comments on the cloud, iPad, Google and Silverlight for iPhone

Tom Warren — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:29:53 +0000

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke at the All Things Digital D8 conference today where two days ago Apple CEO Steve Jobs had donned the stage. A large amount of the interview was focused on the future... Read more...

Microsoft shakes up consumer business with the departure of Bach and Allard

Tom Warren — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:35:44 +0000

Microsoft announced a major shake up of its Entertainment & Devices Division on Tuesday. Both Robbie Bach and J Allard, the men behind Xbox and Zune, are departing the company. The departures signal a massive reorganization... Read more...

Steve Ballmer "We tried too big a task" with Vista

Brad Sams — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:13:38 +0000

It’s not every day that you hear the CEO of a major corporation admit that they wasted time on a product. But Steve Ballmer did just that when talking about Windows Vista. Ballmer stated... Read more...

Ballmer says Microsoft will beat Google "someday"

Benjamin Rubenstein — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:51:45 +0000

According to an article on InfoWorld, Steve Ballmer seems pretty optimistic about catching Google in the search market. When asked if Microsoft will ever be number one in search, Ballmer responded: "There's no good answer... Read more...

WSJ states the obvious, Windows Phone 7 announcements next week

Tom Warren — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:07:01 +0000

The Wall Street Journal is running a story "confirming" that Microsoft will announce the next generation of Windows Mobile next week, named Windows Phone 7. Despite the fact there has been a buzz in the blogging... Read more...

Mark your calendar: Live blog - Microsoft @ Mobile World Congress 2010

Tom Warren — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:47:33 +0000

Mobile World Congress 2010 kicks off on Monday February 15 and what better way to mark its beginning than covering the Microsoft Press Conference? Microsoft will hold a Press Conference at 3pm CET on February 15... Read more...

Watch the Microsoft CES Keynote Live

Stephen Roberts — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:05:58 +0000

This years CES Keynote speech will be provided by Microsoft's Steve Ballmer (CEO) and Robbie Bach (President of the Entertainment & Devices Division), Possible subjects include the Microsoft Slate Device we covered earlier, rumours suggest... Read more...

Hoax Alert: Ballmer fires Microsoft employee due to Bing

Tom Warren — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:17:10 +0000

Last week Mashable, "the social media guide", ran a story with the headline "Bing! Ballmer Says You're Fired" which contained a video of an alleged former Microsoft employee that had been fired for not being... Read more...

Ballmer: Windows 7 sales are "fantastic"

Andrew Lyle — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:16:09 +0000

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has a lot to be excited about, with the great success that is Windows 7. Steve Ballmer announced at the shareholders meeting that Windows 7 has sold more than double... Read more...

Ballmer makes a scene over an iPhone during private meeting

Sean Bradford — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:14:41 +0000

Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, is known for pulling some pretty interesting stunts and making direct comments putting down competitors of Microsoft. For example his comment back in July stating that Apple's Mac growth is a... Read more...

Microsoft tells OEMs what netbooks are

Andrew Fairbairn — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:59:33 +0000

Microsoft is going to restrict original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to certain hardware specifications for their netbooks if they want to run Windows 7 Starter - the edition of the new operating system designed for netbooks... Read more...

Ballmer: Apple's Mac growth is a "rounding error"

Sam Symons — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:51:47 +0000

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer is a man who's not afraid to talk down his competitors. When Apple initially released the iPhone, he stated that it had no chance of gaining a significant market share. Now,... Read more...

Worldwide Partner Conference 09 - Ballmer Keynote

Tom Warren — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:32:44 +0000

Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) day 2 kicks off today at 8:30am CDT (see all time zones). Allison L. Watson, head of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft will feature again at WPC,... Read more...

Update: New Xbox coming sooner then expected?

Garrett Dodd — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:22:14 +0000

The intertubes are buzzing once again with rumours that a new Xbox may be on it's way next year (as in the year 2010). According to 1UP, not only will Natal be as big as... Read more...

Microsoft officially launches new search at Bing.com

Andrew Fairbairn — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:39:43 +0000

After several months in the planning, Microsoft has finally taken the covers off its new web search engine, Bing. Set to go live in under a week, Bing is not just a re branding of... Read more...

Steve Ballmer demonstrates Zune HD for Engadget

Tom Warren — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:10:11 +0000

Our friends over at Engadget got a sneak peak of the new Zune HD when Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer showed the gadget off to them during the D7 conference. Ballmer showed of the new OLED... Read more...

Microsoft begins second round of layoffs. More to come?

Kevin Weiner — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:28:13 +0000

Remember when Microsoft first announced it was going to eliminate 5,000 jobs by June 2010? Well it looks like the second round of those lay offs are starting today by cutting 3.000 more of those... Read more...