Death to Killer Metaphors!
By Harry McCracken | Friday, September 10, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Can we all agree that it’s always a terrible idea for a tech company to suggest that its new product is going to kill any existing product? If so, could someone please tell Microsoft?
5 Comments
Read more:
5 Comments For This Post
September 10th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Ironically, the products that actually did get killed were Microsoft Windows Mobile, Microsoft KIN, and Microsoft Zune.
September 10th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Can someone tell the author that it is just employees having fun. So please stop being so anal and relax
September 12th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Could someone tell the previous commenter that frat boy displays of mock violence are juvenile and stupid not "fun"?
September 12th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
To quote John Gruber:
"But the whole thing is just so corny and embarrassing. Ignore the fact that Windows Phone 7 almost certainly isn’t going to slow the success of the iPhone. Let’s just concede, for the sake of argument, that Microsoft is exactly right and Windows Phone 7 will kill the iPhone and BlackBerry. This goofy “funeral” is still lame — and will look lame in hindsight. And that’s if Windows Phone 7 actually kills the iPhone and BlackBerry, which isn’t going to happen.”
There is a fine line between “having fun” and “making yourself look like an ass”. These kind of antics are what people really remember MS for and it will haunt them.
September 12th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
i don't want to deprive anyone of fun, but it's not worth the PR hit. So far, Windows Phone 7 looks good, and Microsoft (until now) has done a good job of keeping expectations for it in check. All the "funeral" does is make the company look out of touch, and possibly raise expectations to a level that can't be met.
–Harry