14 DAY TRIAL // Many people call the Surface tablet a rather disappointing project, even though the Redmond-based technology giant Microsoft is yet to release any official sales figures.
But when it comes to CEO Steve Ballmer, the Surface is a very helpful project that would lend a hand not only Microsoft, but to the entire ecosystem.
Ballmer said in an interview with MIT Technology Review that nobody expects to see the Surface tablet dominate volume, but the device is, in the end, “real business.”
“I’m super-glad we did Surface. I think it is important—and not just for Microsoft but for the entire Windows ecosystem—to see integrated hardware and software,” he said. “Surface is a real business. In an environment in which there’s 350 million PCs sold, I don’t think Surface is going to dominate volume, but it’s a real business.”
As for Windows 8, Ballmer admits that Microsoft’s new operating system is playing an essential role for the company’s future, reiterating Bill Gates’ thoughts revealed in a separate interview a couple of days ago.
“If you want to do productivity, communications, and entertainment, you’re going to do it on multiple devices, and you have to do it in a coherent and consistent way for the user. You’ve got to support the different input modalities,” Ballmer was quoted as saying.
“The living room is different from the phone, and productivity at the desk is different from productivity on the go. So, yes, Win8 and the Win8 family of devices are super-important for supporting our broad vision.”
Even though Ballmer continues to praise both Windows 8 and the Surface tablets, they remain two very controversial products, mostly because Microsoft hasn’t yet revealed any clear sales statistics.
In addition, Windows 8 is still dubbed a very confusing operating system, with the upcoming Windows Blue considered to be its only chance to boost sales.