Microsoft's Steve Ballmer to Present During Apple's WWDC 2010 Keynote? - Mac Rumors:

According to Trip Chowdhry, an analyst with tiny Global Equities Research, 7 minutes of Steve Jobs' keynote is allotted for Microsoft. Microsoft will reportedly be talking about their development tool Visual Studio 2010. The new version of Visual Studio will reportedly allow developers to write native applications for the iPhone, iPad and Mac OS.

The move would be a big surprise given Apple and Microsoft's competitive history. In addition, the announcement of PC-based development suite for iPhone and Mac OS would be major announcement.


I know of a number of developers that have purchased Macs to work on the iPhone. The price of entry is actually quite low -- $600 for the Mac Mini.

If high end users tend to drive what's cool to own, wouldn't you rather force programmers to learn about the Mac and maybe drive a few converts? I don't see any reason for Apple to invite Visual Studio into the iPhone game unless Apple's worried that Android is gaining ground.

It's always a mistake to pretend a rumor like this is true, but it's fun to play like it is. I've got to wonder what Jobs is thinking now. Seriously, does the App Store need more hobbyist crap throwing sound grenades and whoopie cushions on the iPhone? I hope MS is paying dearly for this privilege. Hey Ballmer, GIVE IT UP FOR MEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Update:

Update: Barron's reports that Chowdhry has retracted both of yesterday's claims, indicating that there will be no Microsoft announcements at WWDC. Chowdhry notes with any remaining credibility he might have, however, that his contacts "insist that both MSFT and AAPL are working on development tools - probably our timing is off".


Well, it was an interesting fantasy, at least. I do wonder if most rumors aren't some strange "trial balloon" attempt. Wonder what might have been learned from this one?

Labels: , , ,