Tim Cook on Windows 8: Converging a ‘Toaster and a Refrigerator’
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Apple CEO Tim Cook. Image: Joanna Stern/ABC News
If you had any concerns that Apple CEO Tim Cook might not be able to provide Steve Jobs-like one-liners on earnings calls, think again. Following the announcement of its blowout earnings, Tim Cook took questions from analysts on everything from iPhone sales to Apple’s iPad and laptop offerings.
And it was on that last point that Cook had a lot to say. When asked if Apple was planning to merge its tablet and laptop products, much as Microsoft is proceeding with Windows 8, Cook responded with a quip: “You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those aren’t going to be pleasing to the user.”
Cook elaborated that converging the iPad with a laptop would result in tradeoffs, ones Apple isn’t willing to make. “We are not going to that party, but others might from a defensive point of view.”
On top of that, Cook highlighted both Apple’s separate tablet and laptop offerings. “The tablet market is going to be huge… As the ecosystem gets better and better and we continue to double down on making great products, I think the limit here is nowhere in sight,” Cook said.
“I also believe there is a good market for the Macbook Air and we continue to innovate in that product. I think it appeals to someone who has different requirements. You wouldn’t want to put these things together.”
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HAHA, Just like Steve Jobs. Trying to create reality by prognostication. Steve was pretty good at it. Remember “No one will watch video on a small hand held screen.” Unfortunatly, I think Tim is too late to the punch. MS has already seen the writing on the wall if no one else has. ARM and x86 chips are converging. It is a done deal. ARM will get more powerful, and x86 will get more energy efficient. MS will be first to have an OS that takes full advantage of this. Apple is behind and they know it. This really shows how worried Apple really is. Funny thing, I have already seen the Apple Fanboys fall for this statement. However, MS will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Posted by: walkergw | April 25, 2012, 1:18 am 1:18 am
What would anyone expect Cook to say? Microsoft is thier competitor. Would you expect Cook to say Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 is going to smoke Apples IPad and Iphone? Who cares what Cook says or thinks?
Posted by: Gary Roberts | April 25, 2012, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
A toaster & refrigerator do entirely different things, one heats the other cools.
Laptops and tablets have much more in common.
They both compute!
His comment might sound smart, but in reality its not applicable.
Apple is so arrogant…
Posted by: Ed | April 29, 2012, 8:45 am 8:45 am