Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) corporate VP of communications managed to generate more reaction than anything the company launched last week when he penned a blog post in reaction to Apple's decision to drop fees for its iWork suite of apps. Accusing most tech media of being sucked into Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) "reality distortion field," he also took potshots at the apps themselves:
"Since iWork has never gotten much traction, and was already priced like an afterthought, it's hardly that surprising or significant a move," he wrote. "And it doesn't change the fact that it's much harder to get work done on a device that lacks precision input and a desktop for true side-by-side multitasking."
Though there were a few kudos from users and Microsoft partners, developers on Twitter responded unfavorably to Shaw's post, to put it mildly:
Aw snap, Frank Shaw! You sound like a Prom Queen nominee that lost the title.
— Robor Mortis (@askmerob) October 24, 2013
Nasty Apple! :: Microsoft's Frank Shaw rips into Apple and the press for daring to compare iWork to Office http://t.co/16Eab8OZRT via @verge
— Wally Pons (@wallypons) October 24, 2013
Sour grapes, poor taste from Microsoft VP, I guess http://t.co/qSoV6gkz16
— Jeff Porter (@Wordius) October 24, 2013
For some, Shaw's post was a good reason to talk more specifically about how much they don't like Microsoft Office...
Because one is a horrible, unusable blight upon decent society, and the other is iWork http://t.co/a4ncUyLY54
— Gilles VDO (@gillesv) October 24, 2013
While others suggested it reflects some ongoing problems within Microsoft's corporate culture:
I swear, hearing Frank Shaw rant about pitiful Apple products makes me think the goa'uld has jumped from Ballmer and found a new host.
— Kevin Fox (@kfury) October 23, 2013
The worst outcome for Microsoft, however, might be complete ambivalence to its software on mobile devices.
why is microsoft stuck on this idea that one needs MS office on their tablets to be productive? http://t.co/yn72p5J8Mx
— Nicholas Shipes (@u10int) October 24, 2013