[ableal]

> What is he talking about? Microsoft was in the handset and tablet business since the 90s.

But not manufacturing hardware under their own brand. MS had software for Dell and HP hardware - I have a couple of Windows CE Pocket PCs in a bin somewhere ...

[macspoofing]

Again, who says that was the only path to success? Microsoft made billions by letting others handle the hardware. If Microsoft was in Google's position and controlled a dominant mobile OS, I think they would be very happy. Microsoft could never have pulled off Apple's mobile strategy of controlling the entire verticle. It's not in their DNA.