The big business news as we got closer to the opening of the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), was the news that Microsoft was pulling the plug on their participation in the annual gadget fest here in Las Vegas.
But like most mainstream news, it was really a non-news item generated by (yawn) yet another Microsoft attempt at seeming to be relevant to the show or to the world of consumer electronics. The last time Microsoft was relevant to anything related to consumer electronics was the introduction of Windows XP.. Even that launch went like any other Microsoft launch. It bombed with bugs and software issues.
And Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer, making the final keynote presentation of the company’s 12 year string, was pretty much a bore. Trying to be upbeat about nothing exciting (yea, Windows 8!!) and the trying not to highlight the fact that the big news of CES the last 5 years has been about Apple, not Microsoft. Even Bill Gates, giving his last keynote speech three years ago, had to admit that Apple and the iPhone was the big item of the show. (Apple does not attend or exhibit at CES).
At least this year, his Microsoft powered devices didn’t crash as in previous years.
The big question on everyone’s mind was not what impact this will have on the show, but what will replace all the floor space Microsoft usually takes up?? It was if Microsoft had already packed up and left… They are still here, but certainly not missed…
Bad Timing
This announcement and the direction consumer electronics is going, shows another failure in Microsoft’s ability to be important. Bill Gates always tried to copy his arch nemesis, Steve Jobs by wanting to release new products at their own events or on their own time frame. Thinking they could carry the event on the fact that it’s Microsoft. It had to be important. Instead of having the product ship -ready in time for the International CES – A trade show visited by retailer buyers and news media from around the world.
Let me explain it better. Imagine if General Motors decided to show up at the annual Detroit Car Show with last year’s models. Saying they weren’t ready for the show and wanted instead, to release them next month at their own show. What do you think would happen to their sales? To their reviews from the car magazines?? No bailout could save them.
Now that Microsoft is closing up their tent at CES shows they misread the market again. This is the best time for them to be here. Microsoft has always been about applications, software and auxiliary services. Just what the CES and its marketplace is maturing into.
Most of the news-makers at this year’s show has been about applications, integration and service/support. Not products. Microsoft’s cash cow has always been forcing the market to accept its applications, its software and its support. Gates didn’t become a billionaire on hardware. This is the perfect time to be Microsoft and be at CES – if only they had a plan and a CEO who had less ego and more brains.
Next year, it will be “Microsoft who??”
Oh well, the show must go on and it will until January 13…





