U.S. Economy Bouncy Says Steve Ballmer
Even though the US economy is taking a nosedive, Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer thinks everything is peachy-keen.
Yesterday Microsoft Corp’s Chief Executive Steve Ballmer spoke before a group of Silicon Valley civic leaders (story), reporting that – despite the U.S. economic problems and a threatening recession — he still sees a positive resilience among technology and telecommunications customers worldwide.
But Ballmer says that he is definitely aware that the industry isn’t immune to the effects of the global economy. However, in his travels, Ballmer has observed that people still see a certain buoyancy in the market. "At least, for now, people are feeling, I won’t say optimistic, but better than you would be feeling if you are watching CNBC all day," he stated in the meeting.
It’s certainly no surprise that Microsoft has such a positive outlook. Wall Street analysts are predicting that Microsoft will generate just under $15 billion during its fiscal first quarter ending in September. However, Craig R. Barrett, Intel’s Chairman of the Board, didn’t sound quite so optimistic when he addressed this year’s Intel Developers Forum.
"R&D is how you move forward in the world’s economic system," he said in his keynote speech. "For that, you need the right environment, and the government dictates the business environment ... Every country in the world knows this. Every country except one: this one." He also made it clear in his belief that the U.S. government needed to spend more taxpayer money on research and development.
At this point in time, any funding beyond the War on Terrorism and local economy woes seems unlikely. In a country where quality and innovation has taken a back seat, taxpayers face high gas prices, defaults on mortgages, increase costs in food and utilities. The U.S. government seems more focused on international security and bailing out large corporations from financial disaster.
But despite the opinions made by Steve Ballmer and Craig Barrett, it’s the taxpaying consumer that drives technology forward. Realizing this, Intel launched the Inspire-Empower Challenge, a contest that allows anyone to submit an idea relating to education, healthcare, economic development, and the environment. The winner chosen from each category will be awarded a whopping $100,000 each.
"The Challenge is designed to inspire developers, individuals, and organizations to innovate and empower them to deliver new ways to apply technology to these issues," reads the official website. "The INSPIRE•EMPOWER Challenge advances the commitment of the Intel World Ahead Program – to connect people to a world of opportunity."
Still, perhaps Ballmer is correct in his observation. Even though consumers cringe at soaring gas prices and corporate bailouts, they’re still buying video games, they’re still buying smart phones and 52" plasma HDTVs. Sure, consumers are extremely cautious, but they’re watching Iron Man: Ultimate Edition (ships Sept. 30 on Blu-Ray) in 1080i and loving every minute of it.
About our current situation, well it's not going to get any better until someone decides to put and end to this so called "war on terror". Biggest load of BS ever.
And warm.
And soft.
And perky...
And warm.
And soft.
And perky..."
lol - made my day.
(I mentioned Vista just to set off the shill bots)
Seriously, though. Turn off the TV and go outside and see for yourself. The sky is not falling. The stock market may be, but it does that sometimes.
All the Intel processors that Americans bought this year should cover the R&D. That's capitolism, right? Why should our tax dollars fund private corporations?!?!
If that Intel exec is actually whining that the government isn't giving them enough money and tax breaks, I will switch to AMD in a heartbeat. I'm gonna assume he was saying that we could use the war money to develop energy alternatives. But again, who profits from that when it's developed? I pay money through taxes for a company to develop something that they are going to sell to me for profit? Giving huge corporations our tax money and waiving their taxes needs to stop, loans from the government are fine, but no tax breaks and no gifts for "R&D".
Dubbya has an MBA too.
Intel's 100,000, yahoo -- so we can give it to those bankrupt mortgage companies and still owe another 100,000 to just come out even!!! Yipee dipeedee doo dar day. Last check, Intel's top execs where bonused around 10-20 million!!
GWB is a tool, worst president ever. He sat back, did NOTHING and watched housing price raise 300% over 5 years while household income only went up 12% over 5 years....hmmmm...do the Math GWB, you retard!
We're only scratching the surface on just how bank the US economy is. It's going to get a LOT worse girls and boys.
Oh, GWB and McCain -- two complete retards. And then we have Sarah Palin -- is she even from this planet?
I didn't know you were so privy to the Untied States Budget? I'm sure you have the S.C. since you stated you knew so much.
Next 9-11 day why don't you spend the day watching the History Channel before spouting off on things you have no clue about.
Sarah Palin comes from Alaska. Exactly what do you have against her? Democrats and tabloid reporters sent upward 30+ people to try and find something and they didn't. So you have something new?
On that note what do you have against Senator McCain?
Here's some math for you: If you took the Money you were going to spend on a Mac and decided to use it to buy a PC how many PC's could you get that could do the same thing as a Mac?
The next big question I have for you is: Can you think for yourself or do you always rattle off the most retarded thing you heard someone say recently and then think you are cool for doing so?
At least in Overlord I get to kill the Sheep... this is just torture.
Obama wants change. Clean out the old snobs and put some real people. We need a modern president in this modern world. Technology is affecting us all. Technology in a way is killing some jobs. We need to make new technology that employee's workers. Obama worked hard. He wasn't some rich spoiled bitch like the others.
ARE YOU JOKING PALIN she is a little whore. Listen to her talk. All she knows is snow and brags about Alaska and her stupid family. Your the idiot that prolly voted for Bush. Just listen to Bush talk. Go on Youtube.com Listen to the reporters bashing on him, he is an idiot. He can't even answer questions right.
Clinton Had OBL and passed up the chance for him to be quite literally handed over on a silver platter.
I hate GWB as much as the next guy but you have no right to speak on politics when your source for information is the daily show.
How did Palin come up in this conversation? No need to say anything about her. She's doing all of the work for us.