This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/technology/7647399.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Google 'Goliath' Microsoft says Google 'Goliath' Microsoft says
(6 days later)
The chief executive of Microsoft has admitted that his firm's slowness to grasp the potential of internet search had hit the business.The chief executive of Microsoft has admitted that his firm's slowness to grasp the potential of internet search had hit the business.
Steve Ballmer told the BBC that Microsoft had become a "David" in search alongside the "Goliath" of its arch-rival Google.Steve Ballmer told the BBC that Microsoft had become a "David" in search alongside the "Goliath" of its arch-rival Google.
Mr Ballmer also warned the economic downturn could hit technology spending.Mr Ballmer also warned the economic downturn could hit technology spending.
And he called on politicians in Washington to make the right choices to sort out the economic crisis.And he called on politicians in Washington to make the right choices to sort out the economic crisis.
"I don't think there's any confusion in Washington that they need to make smart choices to help the US economy," he said."I don't think there's any confusion in Washington that they need to make smart choices to help the US economy," he said.
We probably missed the power of the advertising model, not so much the technology Steve BallmerMicrosoft chief executiveWe probably missed the power of the advertising model, not so much the technology Steve BallmerMicrosoft chief executive
The Microsoft chief said that, while it was not clear how consumers would react to the economic crisis, "you've got to assume that people are going to assess their overall wealth differently so they aren't going to be spending as much on high-cost capital goods".The Microsoft chief said that, while it was not clear how consumers would react to the economic crisis, "you've got to assume that people are going to assess their overall wealth differently so they aren't going to be spending as much on high-cost capital goods".
Advertising concernAdvertising concern
On the failure to realise early enough the importance of internet search, Mr Ballmer said: "Do I wish we'd started the investment in search a few years earlier? Yes."On the failure to realise early enough the importance of internet search, Mr Ballmer said: "Do I wish we'd started the investment in search a few years earlier? Yes."
"We may be the David up against Goliath but we're working on it.""We may be the David up against Goliath but we're working on it."
And he added that the real concern was the lead that Google had built up in online advertising.And he added that the real concern was the lead that Google had built up in online advertising.
"We probably missed the power of the advertising model, not so much the technology," Mr Ballmer said."We probably missed the power of the advertising model, not so much the technology," Mr Ballmer said.
There was a promise that Microsoft would take the battle to Google in search - and beat off any challenge in the field of mobile phone software.There was a promise that Microsoft would take the battle to Google in search - and beat off any challenge in the field of mobile phone software.
With their Windows PCs people have what I would call a love/hate relationship Steve BallmerWith their Windows PCs people have what I would call a love/hate relationship Steve Ballmer
Last week saw the launch of the first phone based on Google's open-source Android platform.Last week saw the launch of the first phone based on Google's open-source Android platform.
But Mr Ballmer said an open-source solution would not be attractive to phone manufacturers, and predicted that Windows Mobile phones would stay ahead of Blackberry, Apple's iPhone and Google Android in the smartphone market.But Mr Ballmer said an open-source solution would not be attractive to phone manufacturers, and predicted that Windows Mobile phones would stay ahead of Blackberry, Apple's iPhone and Google Android in the smartphone market.
"You've got to remember Android is version one....and it looks like version one," he said."You've got to remember Android is version one....and it looks like version one," he said.
"They've got one handset maker, we've got 55. They're available through one operator, we've got 175.""They've got one handset maker, we've got 55. They're available through one operator, we've got 175."
'Issues inevitable''Issues inevitable'
Mr Ballmer also insisted that Windows Vista - much criticised by some users - had been the most popular operating system that Microsoft had ever introduced.Mr Ballmer also insisted that Windows Vista - much criticised by some users - had been the most popular operating system that Microsoft had ever introduced.
But he did admit that there had been problems.But he did admit that there had been problems.
"Any time you change something as fundamental as an operating system people will have issues," he said."Any time you change something as fundamental as an operating system people will have issues," he said.
And asked why there seemed to be little passion for Microsoft amongst many consumers, he said people loved the products even if they did not love the company.And asked why there seemed to be little passion for Microsoft amongst many consumers, he said people loved the products even if they did not love the company.
"With their Windows PCs people have what I would call a love/hate relationship."With their Windows PCs people have what I would call a love/hate relationship.
"There are things they'd like us to do better but if you asked them if they loved what they're able to do with their PC, I think they'd say 'Yes'.""There are things they'd like us to do better but if you asked them if they loved what they're able to do with their PC, I think they'd say 'Yes'."